I'm new to this site and have seen lots of good information. I am on my thrid Dakota. Had a 91 Dakota Sport; a 2000 Dakota Club cab and now have a 2007 Dakota Quad Cab 4 wheel drive. I have noticed that this truck has a much rougher ride than my previous Dakotas. When I hit a bump a any kind the rear end feels like there is no spring in it. Just a big bump. Is this normal for this model of Dalota or is because of the 4 wheel drive. The air prssure in the tires wa about 45 lb and I lowered it to about 36 lb and that didn't make much difference. Any help or ideas or opinions would be appreciated

 

Yeah, when I traded in my '02 for this '05, I noticed a bouncier ride and the slower acceleration.
The first thing I did with both of mine was to get rid of the truck tires and go low profile with 32 psi.
But my truck never goes off road. If I'm going to haul anything (rarely) I increase the psi.

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Most likely you are feeling the POS stock struts, and no, no one makes an after market replacment for them yet, either.

 

Last Thrusday took my Dakota back to the Dodge Dealer where I bought it and convinced him to go for a ride with me.After ridign across the railroad tracks and a few intersection dips he stated, head back to the garage, there is definitley something wrong. Well the back to struts or shock absorbers were both stuck. Neither one would move. They replaced them on friday and it rides like a whole new truck. Fortunately I live in a small rural town and our Dodge dealer takes great pride in taking care of what he sells.

 

holy **** im gonna have to do that~!!!!!!! idc if u live in a small town or not that proves that theres a defect in these dam horrible shocks

 

yes they do, ive got Monroe Reflex's on the rear just waiting till june when they make the fronts available.

 

Mine rides like crap too wonder if maybe there is an issue with my shocks. I have a 2WD ST so maybe its just because I bought the cheapest truck I possibly could.

 

it has nothing to do with the model. the '05 and '06's have a crappy ride. It's more like being on a land yacht vs. a truck. You bounce the waves of the interstate like aboat bounce the waves of the ocean. I know. I had an '06. Hopefully, an aftermarket shock will come soon.

 

Wasn't sure if they used different parts between the 2WD and 4WD models.

 

That's funny right there!

...they've been supposed to be "coming out on..." since like, Jan 06...

Good luck on anyone coming out with them, when they say they will... haha