New Member here and some advice
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Listowel, Ontario
New Member here and some advice
Greetings from Canada!
I am new to this forum, and if this one is as informative as others I am on, it will be an invaluable source of information. For the most part 'user forums' can shed more light on issues and give better advice than the dealer.
I just bought a 2005 Dakota SLT 4x4 (ext.cab) with the 4.7L. It has 75,000 KM (46,600 mi) on it and runs great (since I got it yesterday).
I am just looking for a few tidbits of info on some general stuff and try to be pro-active as far a maintenace goes.
I want to squeeze the most gas mileage out of this rig as I can since the mpg on the 4.7 is only marginally lower than my beater 1989 Mazda b2600 4x4 (the Maz only got, at best, 20-22 mpg). The performance difference (obviously) between the two is vast, so getting more HP out of it is not at the top of my list
Any tips on instant 'to-do's for my new beast? (all factory warranty has expired). Anything I should be investigating right away?
Perhaps -
-K&N filter?
-New plugs?
-Chip?
-Engine flush?
-Complete fluids change (oil, tranny, diff etc)? (Even though the dealer I got it from said that the oil was freshly changed, I might change it soon, then I know exactly what is in it).
I want this truck to be in tip top mechanical shape (i think it is now), but just want to get your experienced input.
I am open to any suggestions/recommendations from you folks.
Please and thanks in advance
Matt
I am new to this forum, and if this one is as informative as others I am on, it will be an invaluable source of information. For the most part 'user forums' can shed more light on issues and give better advice than the dealer.
I just bought a 2005 Dakota SLT 4x4 (ext.cab) with the 4.7L. It has 75,000 KM (46,600 mi) on it and runs great (since I got it yesterday).
I am just looking for a few tidbits of info on some general stuff and try to be pro-active as far a maintenace goes.
I want to squeeze the most gas mileage out of this rig as I can since the mpg on the 4.7 is only marginally lower than my beater 1989 Mazda b2600 4x4 (the Maz only got, at best, 20-22 mpg). The performance difference (obviously) between the two is vast, so getting more HP out of it is not at the top of my list
Any tips on instant 'to-do's for my new beast? (all factory warranty has expired). Anything I should be investigating right away?
Perhaps -
-K&N filter?
-New plugs?
-Chip?
-Engine flush?
-Complete fluids change (oil, tranny, diff etc)? (Even though the dealer I got it from said that the oil was freshly changed, I might change it soon, then I know exactly what is in it).
I want this truck to be in tip top mechanical shape (i think it is now), but just want to get your experienced input.
I am open to any suggestions/recommendations from you folks.
Please and thanks in advance
Matt
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Posts: n/a
Well, right off the top of my head, I would consider synthetic fluids. I switched as soon as i got to my first change. Some guys have said they had small gains in MPG from switching.
If your more focused on economy and less on power, switching to a drop in K&N and some autolite copper cores is a good start. (a quick search for autolite in this section should net you all the info you could ever want)
An Electric Fan would reduce stress, and free up a bit of power. If you stay out of the gas, you can gain more mpgs there as well...
Superchips has a programmer that can net you a MPG or 2 as well...
If your more focused on economy and less on power, switching to a drop in K&N and some autolite copper cores is a good start. (a quick search for autolite in this section should net you all the info you could ever want)
An Electric Fan would reduce stress, and free up a bit of power. If you stay out of the gas, you can gain more mpgs there as well...
Superchips has a programmer that can net you a MPG or 2 as well...
Record Breaker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,128
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From: edmonton ab
nice to see another canadian on here welcome. like you i signed up to ask and learn its been helpful so far i currently am expirencing some electrical problem that blown and eric both have had some good imput on hopefully i have solved my problem cheers m8
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 264
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From: Charleston, SC
If you aren't going for power and just mileage you might want to consider if upgrades like an intake are worth it. just an example... Hypothetically...you figure $200 for an intake and it gives you an extra 1 mpg. We'll say gas is 2.50 a gallon and you have a 20 gallon tank and you get 15 mpg stock. Stock you would be able to drive 300 miles and gas would cost you 50 dollars. With an intake you would be able to get an extra 20 miles per tank. So you are milking an extra 1.33333 gallons so you would be saving about $3.33 per tank. It would take you over 60 fill ups(around 20000 miles) to have that intake pay for itself assuming you are driving very conservatively.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Intakes help to get more air in the engine, so they are going to help any mod you do down the road. Our trucks also run pretty rich from the factory, so some more air to help even it out helps.
Higher flowing drop-ins help. not as much as a full FIPK obviously, but much more air than a restrictive paper stock filter. and they only cost around 50 bucks.
Higher flowing drop-ins help. not as much as a full FIPK obviously, but much more air than a restrictive paper stock filter. and they only cost around 50 bucks.
Champion
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,739
Likes: 8
From: ct.
welcome to the forum, switching out the factory plugs to the autolite 3923 plug is a good move. thesse plugs are a heat range cooler and help with detonation if you get bad gas, another is tire pressure. the door jam says 35, but the max on the tire is 44, i run my tires at 40. seems to help out.
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Rookie
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Ontario Canada
Welcome to the forum.
As everyone else has said an intake will allow it to breathe a little easier. I've been running both a K&N intake and some E3 plugs with pretty good success. Also, don't underestimate what a bed cover can do for the truck (this will make it marginally more aerodynamic and seems to have gotten me another MPG overall). Aside from that wait until summer. The cold weather up here tends to provide a cooler charge, thus more fuel is applied to the air fuel mixture... yada, yada, yada, worse MPG (LPKm). Another option which people overlook is to loose weight. Lay off the Timmy's donuts, drop a few lbs and you'll probably see a miniscule increase in efficiency.
As everyone else has said an intake will allow it to breathe a little easier. I've been running both a K&N intake and some E3 plugs with pretty good success. Also, don't underestimate what a bed cover can do for the truck (this will make it marginally more aerodynamic and seems to have gotten me another MPG overall). Aside from that wait until summer. The cold weather up here tends to provide a cooler charge, thus more fuel is applied to the air fuel mixture... yada, yada, yada, worse MPG (LPKm). Another option which people overlook is to loose weight. Lay off the Timmy's donuts, drop a few lbs and you'll probably see a miniscule increase in efficiency.
I think everyone has pretty much covered everything I would have added, keep us updated
The Superchips Flashpaq is a nice tuner! I would back it up as a nice add-on!
haha Yes especially when you actually hear the roar after an intake... and then add an exhaust!
The Superchips Flashpaq is a nice tuner! I would back it up as a nice add-on!
haha Yes especially when you actually hear the roar after an intake... and then add an exhaust!