What does the factory tow package consist of? Just bought a dakota and i dont believe it has the tow package, but i will be using a dolly to tow my jeep every once in awhile. Assuming it comes with a class 2 or 3 hitch, what else does the tow package provide? Stiffer springs? Stronger Rear Axle? Lower Gear? Oh and speaking of the rear axle, what were common rear ends for the dakota (pleaseeeee dont say dana 35) to come with and with what gear ratios? Dont have mine with me yet so i cant go out and look. Oh BTW its a 98 sport 4X4 ext. cab w/ the 5.2L and 5spd. Can i put the vin into a site somewhere to see what its equipped with? Thanks.
Nick

 

im not sure on the whole package, mine has the tow package and it has the oversized radiator, anextra tranny cooler, axle ratio-3.55, rear axle-8.25 corporate, anti spin diff. thats all i can find on it. maybe someone else has more info

 

You can shoot Dodge Customer Service an email and ask for the factory build sheet. It will tell you all of the packages that truck has on it, what axle, gears, everything about the truck from the factory. They sent mine two days after I sent the request in.

 

open up the glove box and look at the back of it. there should be a sticker with the info on it. unless some one has removed it. but if you go to www.allpar.com they have a vin decorder that will tell you the build

 

thats where i got my info from, the dealer sheets

 

Should have receiver hitch, 3.55 gears and the 7 blade RV tailer light plug.

 

i put a hitch on my 93, got the rv plug, previous owner had a fifth wheel on it and pulled an rv trailer, so it does have the tow package

 

Factory tow package should come with an oversized A/T cooler,hitch, wiring (pre-wired for a trailer brake, just buy the plug and the controller) and iirc bigger radiator and perhaps alternator.

I can't keep track of which engines came with which axles, but the lighter duty axles are Chrysler 8.25, and the heavier duty ones are Chrylser 9.25. The two common pinion ratios are 3.55 and 3.92, and obviously the 3.92 would be better for heavier loads.

 

yeah I thought the tow package came with the 3.92 gears, well at least that was part of the package on my 04'.

 

Not sure if it's part of the tow package or not, but my '02 has air bag suspension in the rear.