i agree with the 4500 taking the abuse. and like you said, will have to do some modifacation to tunnel to make 4500 fit. which is one aspect i'm trying to avoid if possable. not throwing that idea away. just looking at other avenues.

i've been tring to look into the getrag 238. however, can find the torque rating for it. plus, the nv3500 has a better gear ratio. i was really hope the getrag 238 would work till i keep seeing other that have the 238 get worse gas mileage.

the main problem i'm running into now tho. is the flywheel. those s.o.b. must be made of gold.

 

I don't see how they can get any lower mileage. Final ratios are pretty close to the same as the nv3500. Biggest thing is your axle ratio and tire size for good mpg. From what I've found they can handle around 300ish ft lb of torque. I'd call a good tranny builder and ask them if they have any info on them.

 

This may help


http://www.customdakotas.com/forums/...heres-how.html

 

i read it in another forum while googling. the guy said he was getting 15mpg in a 05 dakota. compared to the 17mpg he used to get in his older dakota.

 

thanks 98dakaz. that will more than likely be very helpful when it comes to the electrical side of things.

 

At 2mpg I wouldn't be too concerned. There is a lot of things that factor into that comparing 2 different trucks. Miles,driveline condition(alignment,brakes,bearings) wheels and tires. You can have 2 of the same size tires but different brands and 1 can be around 10lb heavier. Which can add more rotational mass. There is a lot of factors. If you could find a lot of people that had similar situations than I would say they do get worse

 

just to give an update since it has been awhile. got the lifters and mds plugs for the mds delete ( just needs to be installed). got the oil pans and made the modifications to put them to gather. pick up a 4.7 oil pick tube so that I can lengthen the 5.7 pick up tube. And I also got an accelerator petal from an 08 dakota so that i can keep the etc.

However, there has been a change in the plans. since my son is getting to be driving age. He is getting the 01 Dakota. So I pick up a 05 Dakota with a 4.7, 6 spd getrag, 4x4. So with that in mind. Hopefully the electronics won't be to bad since it the same computer bus system.

 

It has been awhile. Working out of town makes it difficult to get stuff done. But as the pics show, the oil pan and oil pick up tube are made and installed. I also got the non mds lifters with the mds plugs installed also. Now I just need more free time.

Since the plans changed, this thread might need to move to 3rd gen dakota.

 

removed -- wrong area

 

Where did this thread end up at? Since it was removed from 2nd gen dakota.