Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
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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
Professional
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 156
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From:
RE: Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
The plow is blocking air to flow Thur the radiator
should get an electric fan add a manual switch so
you can turn on at any time.
Check out A
Be Cool Aluminum Radiator.
if you want more cooling.
should get an electric fan add a manual switch so
you can turn on at any time.
Check out A
Be Cool Aluminum Radiator.
if you want more cooling.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
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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!
, hope its that simple.... or i guess complicated in your case....
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
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RE: Dakota overheats on hway w/ 7.5' Plow
Right... Guys - Ok -
I HAVE to drive the route WITH THE PLOW.
Has ANYONE encountered this before?
ARE THESE STOCK TRUCKS NOT CAPABLE OF USING THIS PLOW WITHOUT ALTERATIONS?
-JA
I HAVE to drive the route WITH THE PLOW.
Has ANYONE encountered this before?
ARE THESE STOCK TRUCKS NOT CAPABLE OF USING THIS PLOW WITHOUT ALTERATIONS?
-JA
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 58
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From:
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.