I've had my third Dakota

mxer201 · 06-19-2009, 12:21 PM

for about a month now. It is a 98 extended cab 4x4 Sport with the 318 and automatic. The PO still had the window sticker so I get to see how it is equipped. 3.55 limited slip(rear) differentials, 31x10.5 tires, 22 gal tank, etc. with only 62k miles. So far runs and drives great. What I'm wondering about is the four wheel drive. It has the 4x4 system where the front end turns all the time. At first this bothered me a little. Anyone have a good or bad report on this type of 4x4? Like I said it drives fine and not making any strange sounds.

bradrhale · 06-19-2009, 01:58 PM

are you referring to AWD?? never heard of that in a 98 dakota. never heard of that in a dakota period. can you be a bit more descriptive like what the tag exactly says??

mxer201 · 06-19-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

are you referring to AWD?? never heard of that in a 98 dakota. never heard of that in a dakota period. can you be a bit more descriptive like what the tag exactly says??

Good point on checking the sticker. All it says is: transfer case - shift on the fly, Part-Time. Nothing about AWD.

And of course no lock out hubs. I crawled underneath looking for a vacuum modulator on the differential, not one. While watching the front dive shaft, I got the wife to slowly ease forward and the front shaft turns. The manual describes two transfer cases that were available. The shop manual refers to the NV231 only. Seems odd the front differential would be engaged even though it appears there is no power to it. I need to test it on a hill behind my house. I post the results.

bradrhale · 06-19-2009, 07:35 PM

shift on the fly just refers to being able to shift to 4HI while the truck is in motion under 45 mph. the part time means that it is not AWD but can be selected into 4wd where the front axles become powered. the front shaft is going to turn. but it is not turning under power. you are doing ok. just remember to check the t case fluid every so often.

mxer201 · 06-19-2009, 07:53 PM

I wondered if that was the case and it is. The front end turns but there is no power to the front. Had to shift to 4H to get up the hill. I guess Dodge decided it is not a big deal to leave the front engaged but with no power to it when in 2H ?

bradrhale · 06-20-2009, 01:10 PM

i drive my 99 ram down the road, mud, dont really care and have yet, knock on wood, to have a problem with mine, though mine is a solid axle. the shift on the fly is nice i guess but have really needed this feature. no such thing as snow here and when im in the mud, i usually leave it in 2wd until i start having problems. can you tell i dont have manual hubs??

06-19-2009, 12:21 PM	#1
mxer201 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 52	I've had my third Dakota for about a month now. It is a 98 extended cab 4x4 Sport with the 318 and automatic. The PO still had the window sticker so I get to see how it is equipped. 3.55 limited slip(rear) differentials, 31x10.5 tires, 22 gal tank, etc. with only 62k miles. So far runs and drives great. What I'm wondering about is the four wheel drive. It has the 4x4 system where the front end turns all the time. At first this bothered me a little. Anyone have a good or bad report on this type of 4x4? Like I said it drives fine and not making any strange sounds.

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06-19-2009, 01:58 PM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,486	are you referring to AWD?? never heard of that in a 98 dakota. never heard of that in a dakota period. can you be a bit more descriptive like what the tag exactly says??

06-19-2009, 07:35 PM	#4
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,486	shift on the fly just refers to being able to shift to 4HI while the truck is in motion under 45 mph. the part time means that it is not AWD but can be selected into 4wd where the front axles become powered. the front shaft is going to turn. but it is not turning under power. you are doing ok. just remember to check the t case fluid every so often.

06-19-2009, 07:53 PM	#5
mxer201 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 52	I wondered if that was the case and it is. The front end turns but there is no power to the front. Had to shift to 4H to get up the hill. I guess Dodge decided it is not a big deal to leave the front engaged but with no power to it when in 2H ?

06-20-2009, 01:10 PM	#6
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,486	i drive my 99 ram down the road, mud, dont really care and have yet, knock on wood, to have a problem with mine, though mine is a solid axle. the shift on the fly is nice i guess but have really needed this feature. no such thing as snow here and when im in the mud, i usually leave it in 2wd until i start having problems. can you tell i dont have manual hubs??