Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
#1
02-13-2006, 05:14 PM
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Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
Hi - 2001 Dakota V8 4.7L Quad cab with Fisher 7.5' LD ("Light Duty") plow.
I bought the truck SUPER CLEAN with 90K. Anyway - overheated when I got the thing installed and picked it up on a Super hot SEPTEMBER day with the windows up and AC on (ok - I'm retarded - new to the truck at the time and was looking at the volt meter).
Anyway - I take a hilly highway in NH to plow a duplex (White Mountains - Rt. 16 "Spaulding Tpk").
It runs HOT.
If I leave the heat full blast it stays at about "1:00" or almost "2:00" (normally - its at 12:00 - or 'straight up'). So if I leave the heat OFF (or put it on cold) and hit the highway hills (above 60 MPH) it screams right up.
Changed T-Stat and coolant (mechanic did it).
Did NOT
1. High-pressure flush.
2. Change Radiator. or
3. Get oversized radiator.
ANY SUGGESTIONS on these possible solutions and/or if this is NORMAL?
Thanks!
-JA
I bought the truck SUPER CLEAN with 90K. Anyway - overheated when I got the thing installed and picked it up on a Super hot SEPTEMBER day with the windows up and AC on (ok - I'm retarded - new to the truck at the time and was looking at the volt meter).
Anyway - I take a hilly highway in NH to plow a duplex (White Mountains - Rt. 16 "Spaulding Tpk").
It runs HOT.
If I leave the heat full blast it stays at about "1:00" or almost "2:00" (normally - its at 12:00 - or 'straight up'). So if I leave the heat OFF (or put it on cold) and hit the highway hills (above 60 MPH) it screams right up.
Changed T-Stat and coolant (mechanic did it).
Did NOT
1. High-pressure flush.
2. Change Radiator. or
3. Get oversized radiator.
ANY SUGGESTIONS on these possible solutions and/or if this is NORMAL?
Thanks!
-JA
#2
02-14-2006, 05:42 AM
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#3
02-14-2006, 01:49 PM
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RE: Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
So you think the truck is fundamentally flawed for the Plow? Those @(*&@(@'s at Fisher Plow have this truck getting this plow right in their sales material! The plow is BIG - 7.5' and fairly tall - its definately blocking the air, but that's what they rate it for! Jackasses.
Has anyone had this problem - before I start buying this and that and testing hypothesis (at the expense of my wallet!) -
Thanks all!
Has anyone had this problem - before I start buying this and that and testing hypothesis (at the expense of my wallet!) -
Thanks all!
#4
02-15-2006, 09:38 PM
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, hope its that simple.... or i guess complicated in your case....
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02-16-2006, 02:17 PM
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#6
02-18-2006, 12:40 AM
RE: Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
Lots of trucks will overheat while driving with the plow raised. Chevy 2500HD's have had huge problems with this, and they came out with a different fan clutch. It helps, but some still have problems.
I hope you aren't driving with the plow straight, are you? A straight plow will create a huge vacuum behind it at speed, not allowing any airflow to the grille/radiator. You should always angle the plow while driving it between jobs. If the "low" side scrapes, you probably need to boost the front suspension with Timbrens or air-bags.
I hope you aren't driving with the plow straight, are you? A straight plow will create a huge vacuum behind it at speed, not allowing any airflow to the grille/radiator. You should always angle the plow while driving it between jobs. If the "low" side scrapes, you probably need to boost the front suspension with Timbrens or air-bags.