06reddak, I don't think I have heard of a 3.73 rear end for our trucks. I thought it was 3.92, 3.55, and 3.21. I have the 3.91 rear end and my old 06 dak had the 3.21 rear end. It (3.21) had better gas mileage, but sure was slow! I did have one of those hitches that saroni is about to get and still pulled a 3,500lb boat on a 1,000lb trailer w/ 300-400 lbs of gear and fuel. It was slow and almost dangerous feeling...but it did do it, lol!

 

Not neccessarily true. I have a factory installed heavy duty tow package (it's on my build sheet) and I have 3.55 gears, and it's a V-8 SLT. I assumed what you're saying when I bought my truck and I thought I had the 3.92's but found out otherwise once I got my build sheet.

If you want to know for sure what you have and can't see it on a tag, go to Dodge.com and request your build sheet through customer service and it will be e-mailed to you. A dealer should be able to provide it as well.

 

Hey folks, following up with a photo. We got the receiver and wiring (T-Connector off the rear tail lights) installed yesterday. Pretty straight forward process and removing the bumper altogether made a huge difference for both installation of the receiver and wiring. Took us about 1.5 hours total. Note this is labeled by Valley as a class IV receiver.

BTW _ Amazon had the best price on the receiver w/ free shipping. I was surprised at what some of the automotive and trailer web sites were charging for it. The price I paid for it on Amazon was $116. Sold directly through Amazon, not a 3rd party. Came in a box from Valley Towing.

BTW # 2 _ I chose the Valley receiver over the Curt one I originally inquired about because the Valley receiver is a MUCH more solid design (compare the two and you'll see - big difference). Thanks popsnbeer for the recommendation _ me very happy!

Thanks again all for the help and I do plan on getting my build sheet unless I can find my original paperwork.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...IMAG0059sm.jpg

 

IMAG0059sm.jpg

 

ahh...it looks all nice and brand new! time to get some scratches and dings on it!

congrats. I was very happy w/ the Valley receiver when I had it!

 

first off, no one mentioned a tranny cooler, the trucks with the factoey tow have the cooler, go spend a 100.00 and install one yourself, just another security precossion while towing long distances

 

Hey SuperDak05,

How important is this? I plan on checking all my fluids, etc. but this is the first time I heard it mentioned. I leave on Thursday so I don't have a lot of time to order parts and tinker with changing my truck around too much. Note that I will only be towing about 1500 lbs, 2000 lbs max (U-Haul trailer is 900lbs. empty + junk). Granted I will be going through the desert, so I have been warned by others about overheating. Regardless, you are the first one to mention the tranny cooler. Is this something I can safely install myself? Note: I am NOT a car mechanic. I'm comfortable with putting something like a hitch receiver on, but this is new territory. I found these at etrailer.com: http://www.etrailer.com/tran-2005_Dodge_Dakota.htm - any recommendations?

 

saroni, it wont hurt to install a tranny coolor, but w/ only 1500-2000lbs it shouldn't be a necessity. Put it this way, I pulled my boat, 5 people, and a bunch of camping gear, beer, food, extra gas, etc, about 100 miles in 110 degree heat and didn't overheat. Keep your speed down (60 or so) and your foot out of it and you should get there just fine. If you are going to be towing a lot of weight or quite often then a tranny coolor is a very good idea. For the once in a while and if you take it easy, I don't think you will burn up your fluid.

 

Thanks popsnbeer! I have a call into my local auto shop I've used for years and he is hunting down a good one and says he can install, change my fluids, etc. in prep for my travels. So, in the end its probably money well spent. Even with the transmission cooler, I will take it easy.

In speaking with the local Dodge dealership, since my truck doesn't have the tow package, they were claiming I would have to either replace the radiator or condenser as its integrated into one of those depending on model/year/engine size and they recommended I get an after market one.

Trying to find an install sheet now to see how they go in exactly - I'm told usually right in front of the radiator. Perhaps I can do this myself, but since I'll have my auto shop give it an oil change and so on anyway, maybe best to just have them do it.

Its also been recommended to drive at night (going through the desert) as to avoid the 100+ degree heat.

Once again _ the DodgeForum is the place to turn!!! Great info!!! A couple of hundred dollars is definitely worth protecting the transmission.

 

You will appreciate driving through here at night! What parts are you driving through? I live in the Phoenix Area.