From: ragnew@islandnet.com@INTERNET on Fri, Oct 18, 1996 6:49 PM
>Not being involved with 4x4's since the 1970's, where such thing as Warn
>Hubs and 'permanent' (ugh!) 4 wheel drive were the choices, I a curious how
>the 4 wheel drive works on the new Dakota. I know it doesn't have leaf
>springs or a solid axle ... but:
>
>- when not in 4 wheel drive, do the front hubs free wheel, or are you
always
>turning the front axles?
I understand that the newer trucks do not have the axle disconnect but on my
89 4x4 when you are in 2wd there is a vacumn operated collar that
disconnects the outer rigt side axle from the differential. The left side
then spins into the differential but because the right side is free wheeling
the front drive shaft and transfer case do not spin.
The Dakota has independant front suspension. The upper and lower control
arms are similiar to the 2wd truck but the spring the acts on the lower
control arm has been replaced with torsion bars to make clearance for the
front axles. The center section of the axles looks like solid axle but is
mounted to the front of the engine and stops at the frame rails. From there
to the wheels are axles with CV joints (just like a FWD car).
>- when you order 'sure grip', is it front and rear?
Just the rear. The sure grip design will not allow enough speed difference
between the right and left wheel when turning.
>- is there a significant lose in fuel economy or 'get up' compared to the
>two wheel drive Dakota?
I do not have anything to compare with, I get 13 to 18mpg with my 3.9
non-magnum v6. Neither the v6 or v8 are ever going to win any awards for
economy. For comparision a buddy of mine has a 96 Ranger extra cab 4x4 with
the 4.0 litre v6. He also has the big 265/75-15 tires. He gets 22 around
town and 26 mpg on the hiway. The 4.0 litre is comparable in power to the
magnum v6 and the trucks are close in size and weight.
Dave Clement
89 4x4 LE
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