4x4 question

Ruggels · #1 01-21-2006, 12:39 PM

ok so last night my cousin got his car stuck in some really deep snow packed and slush and ice etc

i ended up getting stuck as well cause i went off the path thing was im not sure whats supposed to happen in 4x4 ..
but only one side was spinning ... when i was hung up on snow and spinning it was only the front pass side that i saw spinning does that mean my 4x4 is broke or ??

360DakotaPwr · #2 01-23-2006, 04:03 AM

You either have a crappy dodge axle or you just dont have true 4x4. Probably need to invest in a possi traction unit of some kind.

Ruggels · #3 01-23-2006, 01:11 PM

so if i was to say get a new diff that should work .. say a 2000 or so they all will just bolt up ?

360DakotaPwr · #4 01-23-2006, 08:33 PM

Im not saying that what I said is the absolute problem. You really need to take it apart and have someone look at it. And no, I don't believe a late model front carrier will bolt into your truck. A rear axle will, but I dunno about a front.

Ruggels · #5 01-24-2006, 12:18 AM

ahh ok cool
just wanna make sure everything is running top condition :P
if it means putting in newer stuff no problem at all

so any rear end should possibly fit so if i get what 97 and up its a gonne be a littl ebit wider ?
sorry about all the questions ~

and what do you mean not true 4x4 ? i knew the guy its never been put in or nothing its been 4x4 since the day it came outta the shop its only that one time that it was ****ty normally it works fine im just wondering why only 1 front tire was spinning ..

360DakotaPwr · #6 01-24-2006, 01:26 AM

Dodge in general has never really been good about putting any sort of carriers in their trucks that lock both wheels. Its always an option, but rarely comes stock.
I measured the spring perches on a 97 up axle the other day and compared it to mine. From center to center it is the same from 97 up to 96 back. The shock perches are spaced out a 1/4 inch on either side of the center line of the axle. (No big deal. Your shock can take that little bit of misalignment and it will bolt up fine.) The plus to a 97 up axle is there is an extra inch of axle tube on the outside of each spring perch. Roughly 6 vs 7 in. for the early to late rear. This is good if you wanted to run a really wide tire in the rear. (Extar inch of clearance before it rubs the leaf spring.

About all the questions, NO PROBLEM MAN, thats what this is for, if I didn't want to help I would keep my mouth shut. LOL

Its possible there is nothing wrong with your 4x4. Its limited slip so if you were in some slippery mud, you would loose traction and one wheel would just spin. Thats how it was designed. Aftermarket companies make locking devices for off roading so you can have true 4x4 when you wnat, but they can be expensive. I know of one (E Locker) My buddy has it, its electronic, you push a button a 5mph, and it locks up. Works well. If you really need 4x4 and you don't mind spendin money then maybe you would want to go a route similat to this. Get on the internet and search. See whats out there and what other people are doing.

Ruggels · #7 01-25-2006, 12:38 AM

well i thank you for the advice . so it is possible though to find a front dif that is true 4x4 as opposed to spending an arm and a leg :P
cause like i said though that sthe first time that it spun i was in slush and snow past my wheel wells lol .. i was in a field bed or a run off for watre so it was soft and ya i started spinning copudnt get no traction at all .. but say i go and get a lsd rear piece when 1 tire spins does that automatically get the other to spin as well so that i would have both tires spining and grabbing ?

and in reagrds to what you said i can safely put in a say 2nd gen axles on the front and rear of my truck and she should be good ~
man i love this truck and the thoughts of not you know over modding it but making it a nice little dependable 4x4 got me really pumped lol this summer im putting the tonneau cover that i have and the newer rims prob some clear corner lenses and if i can find some tail lights them and diamond plate stainless or chrome bumpers thats about all for looks wise :P
talk to you later thanks for the input its greatly appreciated

360DakotaPwr · #8 01-25-2006, 01:57 AM

You can put a second gen axle in the rear. NOT THE FRONT, its not the same.

Both tires should grip when going straight with LSD.

The mud is another story, I dont go off road so I dont want to tell you something wrong. In theory if one starts to spin then the other should kick in, but it all depends on who make the diff.

Ruggels · #9 01-25-2006, 03:32 AM

hey i been looking around maybe i suck at researching the net i cant seem to find much of anything atfermarket for 92 dakota actually cant seem to fid nothing for first gen dakotas period ...
like 3.9l magnum valve covers do they exist ? as well as headers aftermarket tail lights etc :P
maybe you can point me to a few sites :P ?

Thanks
Kirk

360DakotaPwr · #10 01-26-2006, 08:50 PM

I have no idea. I feel your pain, there isnt much offered for fist gen dakotas. Most aftermarket parts are for V8's