Yeah, I'm not really into the whole "work" thing.

Seriously, I do not need a truck often enough to own one. It's much cheaper (and less work) to pay $50 to have the occasional appliance or load of building materials delivered. Also, I just don't like driving trucks.

I have no problem with people who actually need trucks, but around here too many folks use giant diesel dually pick-ups as commuter cars (hence the viagra comment). I was following some bozo in an (obviously chipped) diesel pick-up the other day who almost suffocated me on my bike. That's the kind of non-sense that results in us all having emission tests.

Yeah, my dodge has 500 ft lb of torque, and some of those guys are chipping them up to like 800. Those huge clouds of smoke from a pickup are just goofy!

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

you need stacks Tom.... I'd install em if it was mine.. but thats me... ^_^

Not the best way to get the public to accept "clean" diesel vehicles. I would really like to see those guys pay some traffic tickets.

yeah!



NOOOOOO!

goofy too.

I kindof like them though...probably from my rural upbringing...tractors and bulldozers always had those litttle caps on them that would pop up and down by gravity to keep the water out when it was parked.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Especially the really large diameter (about 6 inches) stacks. Do these guys think they are driving a locomotive?

We all know 35mpg ain't happening, and you do too. Cheapening your argument with "facts" like that.......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

oh, I don't know, that truck is lots lighter than an SD, so it's possible to get higher mileage, but HOW does he know without any speedo or odo?

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Not so, lets compare...

1992 Dodge Dakota curb weight 4043lbs.
1980 300D 3,185lbs.
1980 300SD 3,744lbs.

I honestly doubt it would be capable of more than 25mpg considering it's heavier weight and more brick-like aerodynamics.

and lets not forget the diesel engine will add to the curb weight of the Dakota

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

But the gearing of the Dakota may get the RPM's down enough to gain some mileage. I own a 92 Dakota and it only turns around 2 grand at 55mph. I couldn't get the web page to load- did he use the MB tranny with the 617?

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'83 300D Turrrbo 295K miles

uhm...
maybe if it was an actual Mercedes vehicle and not some ratrod pickup
Im working on an 81 Camaro right now. That truck reminds me of this one 79 Z28 I see in this one salvage yard that has a FLATHEAD 6 cylinder in it. Just doesnt fit....

Thats because the dodge had an overdrive transmission. Since he used the MB tranny, it's only a 1:1 high gear. With a 3.55 rear end, it's going to be lower geared than the original 300D was.

well, the taller tires may alleviate some of that.

I agree though, unless it is geared a lot higher, it will never top a 300d for mileage, probably be lucky to get 22.

The truck being more boxy, the faster you go the more fuel you will burn.

for utility though, I have always thought those dakotas of that era were a pretty compact size with a big bed and not a lot of usless space out front. I like the potential utility with a much higher quality engine and tranny than the original dodge poc.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I want one for utility, but I will say #3 makes as much sense as autocrossing. 1&2, you got me.

When my TD body finally rusts apart, maybe I'll try swapping the engine into a Toyota pickup. That would be sweet.

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1984 300TD