Intro

Here I'll be posting information concerning the technical information related to the mechanics of the Dakota 4X4 and most importantly to the sport of 4X4.

Assuming you are a fellow owner and a 4X4 enthusiast, I'll be counting on your support for this section. For those of you that can scrounge up technical information, or for those that know of great places to go 4X4'n in your state or elsewhere you can send in mail, info and most importantly some pictures. This section is not designed for spectators, but players, so send in something.

A Little Technical

 

I've got a reasonable amount of info to post in this section, It's going to take some spare time to get it online, for now I put up something that will keep you from damaging you 4 wheel drive system.

This information pertains to the basic shift on the fly that comes with the Dakota Quad. First, take the time to read your owners manual on 4 wheel drive.

Use your shift on the fly on slippery surfaces only, unless your Quad came with a NV242 transfer case. With the standard cheapo case (NV241) , when you engage 4 wheel hi or 4 wheel low it forces all the wheels front and rear to turn at the same speed. Generally if your driving straight even on a dry road ( don't do it!) there isn't a problem because all 4 wheels are rotating the same amount at the same time, providing all the wheels are the same diameter.

Foot note for above: NV241 and NV242 are referenced in the 2000 Dakota Quad Manual. For 2001, Paul wrote his manual has different numbers. I didn't get complete numbers, so to one of you reading this, send them in, if you have the means scan the 4 wheel sections so I can see what's going on for the 2001 and condense an article for those that dislike thumbing through a manual, or need a better explanation.

The problem that you have with the basic transfer case (NV241) comes when your making a turn. For instance, assume your making a right turn, the tire on the left has to rotate more times to cover the outside distance then the right tire does to complete the turn. Since the front tires are locked (mechanically) to rotate the same amount, the ground friction to the left tire is attempting to force it to rotate more than the right wheel, which it can't unless the tire looses traction or you drive train crunches some gears, which besides being an inconvenience can be downright expensive. That's why the manual requires you to use 4 wheel hi and 4 wheel lo on slippery road conditions. With the road being slick the tire tread on the outer side turn will skid until it catches up with the inner turn tire. I've made this assumption from driving on wet dirt road, when ever I make a semi strong left or right turn I hear a sound similar to wheel lock, where you know that most of the tires are turning but one of them sounds hung up.Well that's the way I got it figured, If I'm wrong, just write and let me know.

Now Some Sport

In these conditions you don't have to worry what ....... damn transfer case you got stuck with.

All you got to do is be a good little boy, and have a little fun.

Until the next time I get a chance to add more stuff to this section.

See Ya!!!!!!

Check the front page for the last update date.

By the way, my name is Nick, you can email me by clicking this => Mail