Dakota VS. Durango
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From: Skagit County, WA
RE: Dakota VS. Durango
What do the R/T's have in the way of performance stuff? Isn't it just different shocks and tires, essentially? I don't doubt that the effective gear ratio from smaller tires (i've got 31x10.5) would be a benefit for the R/T, but is there anything else to them other than appearance?
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RE: Dakota VS. Durango
ORIGINAL: horatio102
What do the R/T's have in the way of performance stuff? Isn't it just different shocks and tires, essentially? I don't doubt that the effective gear ratio from smaller tires (i've got 31x10.5) would be a benefit for the R/T, but is there anything else to them other than appearance?
What do the R/T's have in the way of performance stuff? Isn't it just different shocks and tires, essentially? I don't doubt that the effective gear ratio from smaller tires (i've got 31x10.5) would be a benefit for the R/T, but is there anything else to them other than appearance?
https://dodgeforum.com/m_476037/tm.htm
A thread regarding the 4x4 SLT Durango vs an AWD R/T Durango....both with the 5.9L
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Skagit County, WA
RE: Dakota VS. Durango
I think Dan might be mistaken, because 5hp and 15 lb-ft gains with different heads, camshaft, and ECU tune sounds like a complete waste of time. You can get that with an air intake OR a set of headers.
275/60 is a 30" tire, I've got 31" tires on mine, so there is a little mechanical disadvantage for me there, but I'm also running 15" wheels versus the 17" R/T's which most likely take more power to turn, so it might be a wash. I've also got the 3.92s.
Ok Car & Driver's first report:
That's about what I get in mine. lol
Looks like the Durango is ~300 pounds heavier than my Dakota, give or take.
I think it'd be wicked close all things considered. I do have headers and a free flowing muffler, one of these days I'll do a high flow cat and 3" pipe, but not yet.
275/60 is a 30" tire, I've got 31" tires on mine, so there is a little mechanical disadvantage for me there, but I'm also running 15" wheels versus the 17" R/T's which most likely take more power to turn, so it might be a wash. I've also got the 3.92s.
Ok Car & Driver's first report:
The equation behind the Durango R/T, Dakota R/T, Neon R/T, and Intrepid R/T goes like this: base vehicle plus top trim-level package plus largest available engine plus special R/T equip-ment group. The latter varies from car to car and includes some sporty interior and exterior trim plus a dash of spice sprinkled on the engine and suspension.
For the Durango, this means a snortier exhaust, a reprogrammed engine-control module, fatter tires, and revalved shock absorbers.
Underneath the R/T�s styling lies a thin but noteworthy layer of substance. At the core is the familiar 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 puffed up in the R/T by 5 hp and 15 pound-feet of torque to 250 hp at 4200 rpm and 350 pound-feet at 3000 rpm. The power increase is due mainly to some software rewrites in the engine module with the end result being more aggressive ignition timing. It�s basically the same controller Jeep used on the �98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited (the one with the hood louvers). With this controller fitted, the Durango R/T demands premium fuel. It also comes with a freer-flowing muffler wearing a chrome tip.
The EPA claims a Durango R/T averages 12 mpg in the city and 16 on the highway. Our 4926-pound test vehicle ingested a gallon of premium on average every 13 miles over 600.
For the Durango, this means a snortier exhaust, a reprogrammed engine-control module, fatter tires, and revalved shock absorbers.
Underneath the R/T�s styling lies a thin but noteworthy layer of substance. At the core is the familiar 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 puffed up in the R/T by 5 hp and 15 pound-feet of torque to 250 hp at 4200 rpm and 350 pound-feet at 3000 rpm. The power increase is due mainly to some software rewrites in the engine module with the end result being more aggressive ignition timing. It�s basically the same controller Jeep used on the �98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited (the one with the hood louvers). With this controller fitted, the Durango R/T demands premium fuel. It also comes with a freer-flowing muffler wearing a chrome tip.
The EPA claims a Durango R/T averages 12 mpg in the city and 16 on the highway. Our 4926-pound test vehicle ingested a gallon of premium on average every 13 miles over 600.
Looks like the Durango is ~300 pounds heavier than my Dakota, give or take.
I think it'd be wicked close all things considered. I do have headers and a free flowing muffler, one of these days I'll do a high flow cat and 3" pipe, but not yet.
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RE: Dakota VS. Durango
With your mods you should win no problem, I was speaking as a stock for stock run....and yeah....with those 17's on the AWD...makes a big difference compared to say a 4x2 set of wheels..
