John,
Your truck sounds very similar to my 1997. Here is my 2 cents worth on
your questions.
4x4 Club Cab
5.2L V8 w/Auto trans
Forest Green Clear Coat
Sport Plus Group
Power Overhead Convenience Group
Deluxe Convenience Group (Tilt & Cruise)
5x7 Fixed Power Mirrors
Sliding Rear Window
ABS
Other options I am still pondering and I was hoping to get some advice,
opinions and suggestions from list members. I plan to use the vehicle as
a
daily driver for commuting, errands, etc. Will do light hauling,
probably
not much towing (i.e., didn't think I needed any of the Heavy Duty
service
options). I like to hike and the vehicle will see some snow and forest
service and fire roads, but I don't plan on any killer off roading (i.e.,
didn't think I needed the skid plate group).
>>>I would recommend the skid plate group. The little money spent now
IMHO is well worth the headache of a rock in the wrong place while
jaunting down one of those forest service roads. I've been on some of
those forest service roads in the Virginia mountains and they can get
pretty rocky at times. If you aren't going to do any towing, I wouldn't
get the heavy duty service group. I tow with my Dak and it didn't come
with the Heavy Duty service group. I just added an after market trans
cooler and installed my own class III receiver hitch. If they aren't
standard in 1999, spend the extra money and get the 15x8 rims with the 31
x 10.5 tires. Helps with the ground clearance and makes the 4x4 look
better.
1) Thinking about either the Full Time Transfer Case (FTTC) or the Sure
Grip
Axle (i.e., LSD), or both. What do folks think of the FTTC? Would it be
of
any value? Are there any drawbacks? I would like to get the best MPG I
can
with the V8. Would the FTTC lower MPG vs the Part Time Transfer Case
(PTTC)
when either is not in use? Also, it is unclear to me what the base axle
ratio is on the V8 w/auto. Is it 3.55? I think with the LSD you have to
get at least the 3.55, but if the ratio w/o the LSD is lower that would
potentially lead to better MPG.
>>>>I would get the limited slip rear end. If the FTTC has an option for
2wd like the Durangos I've seen, I personally would get it. It is nice
to have that option of full time 4wd available when the road conditions
aren't bad enough for full time 4wd but you want a little more than 2wd.
2) I like the versatility of the bench seat, but my initial impression is
that it is not as comfortable on my back as the bucket seats. I am also
considering the power drivers seat. What opinions do list members have?
>>>>I too was thinking about the bucket seats when I bought my 1997. I
decided to go with the bench seat after the dealer told me they were the
same seat as the bucket seat and the flip up arm rest had storage. I did
a 2 second "butt test" and couldn't tell any difference between the bench
and bucket seats. My bench seat looks like 2 bucket seats with a small
seat in the middle.
3) I had planned to take the standard radio as I was going to put in my
own
stereo w/CD player, amp and speakers. I've never been that impressed with
factory stereos and I think you get more bang for the buck with after
market
products.
>>>>Definitely more bang for your $$$. I would install my own stereo.
My Dak came with the premium sound and I wouldn't have gotten it but I
bought my truck off of the lot and it had it. I've also found out that
the Infinity speakers used in the premium sound system have paper cones.
So, save your $$. Premium sound isn't that premium after all.
Hope that this helps some. Good luck with your purchase. You can also
check out my truck and modifications on my web site.
Garret
ladysmithgwl@juno.com
http://members.tripod.com/~garretl
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