hey mean green. i just noticed in your signature that you have "Nokya stage 2 artic blue bulbs". i have to admit that i got a pretty good chuckle out of it. just a couple of questions. is there a stage 1? and what is the difference between the different stages of the arctic blue bulbs? i was looking at the '07 stage 4 bumblebee yellow bulbs!

 

The Dakotas are basically considered a 1/2 ton, as are most compact trucks as far as I know.

The 1/2, 3/4, and 1-ton designations are mythical. In the past IIRC they actually stood for something, but now it's just pick a number and call it X.

What I was told oh-so-long ago was that the 1/2-ton originally meant that the truck could haul 1/2 its own weight in the bed, 3/4 ton could haul 3/4 of its own weight, and 1-ton could haul its own weight in the bed. It doesn't really have anything do to with towing capacity, other than the tongue/pin weight can go up with higher payload capacity.

The ratings now just signify certain levels of strength - 1/2 tons typically don't have full-float axles which means the axle shaft itself is a load bearing item, whereas 3/4 and 1 ton trucks have full floating axles which means they're only subjected to tortional stress of accellerating and decellerating, instead of the bearings being supported by them.

The frames are generally stronger to support the greater weight, as well as brakes being larger.

The payload rating does include the weight of all occupants and their gear as well, so if you've got a mini-van with an 800 lb payload and 4 200 pound dudes in it, you are over-weight if any of them have luggage.



The Payload of my 86 Ram is 3500 lbs, and the truck itself weighs about 4500. That's a ratio of about .77 - and it's a 3/4 ton which is .75

2006 Dakota payload ratings range from 1750 lbs for a 3.7 V6 extended cab 2wd on down to 1320 lbs for a HO 4.7L quad cab 4x4. The 2nd gen numbers were similar - lighter 2wd will have a higher payload rating, heavier 4x4's will have lower, with the exception of the 4-cyl, which just can't move much.

 

horatio, i love the mind blowing information you have stored in that cranium of yours.

 

Well, I really appreciate the info. I want a Ram more than most, especially a Cummins, but due to money issues I cant afford one LOL, plus I'am only young, so I plan to start "small" but now I think Dakotas are stronger then what I had thought earlier.

 

You know what, I have no clue about that LOL. I just put them in the other day when I got them in the mail from CoyoteRoede. They were a good price and they're pretty nice. They are a lot more focused then regular headlights. I just wanted halogens and these were available.
Oh and dodge_ram one thing to consider is that the Dak's have all the engine that ram's have with a lighter weight (except for a cummins powered ram ) I want a dak myself but my wife made me get this D for the 3rd row that I knew we would never use...

 

well, the 3.9,4.7,5.2 all have optioned 5speeds, the 360 Mag was offered only in Auto, I did see a R/T with Viper Trans.

4.7 Vs 5.2, 4.7 has more HP stock and only 5 tq less then 5.2(5.2 300tq n 4.7 295) I drove a 4.7L in a 03 Ram Quad cab and boy did it surprise me, even with the heavy body it had power and hauled some butt, though the 5.2s are beefy and the 4.7s are nice and better MPG, i'd go 5.2 prob if your planning on lots of Mods and 5speed, though 360 dousn't have man it still dousn't hesitate to take you where you want. I've just heard/seen very bad things bout the Dodge auto trans, glad I have 5speed.......

 

Yeah, my Shadow's almost at 200 000 km, and its already had the auto tranny rebuilt. I'am just wonderin, can you get the 360 magnum in an ST or SLT? instead of R/T, I'am looking for a work/offroad truck. Thanks again.

 

Yeah you can get the SLT with a 360.

 

Ok, that will work out then. I'am pretty excited to get a truck tho, getting tired of the car and not being able to do much, although I'd miss it to death if I sold it.

 

I had a buddy with the chrysler version of the shadow (IDK what it is called). You don't see too many on the road but I guess they grow on the owner just like my 92 Taurus grew on me LOL.