Hydrostatic drive

I deliver trucks, towing my pickup behind (of course), and after delivery I then drive my pickup to wherever the next truck is. Having messed up my old pickup, I am looking at a 1990 Dodge Dakota to replace it. Only problem with this particular one is that it has an automatic tranny, and you know what happens when you tow an automatic. I am looking for some way (other than crawling under it to unbolt the driveshaft 10 to 12 times a week) to disconnect the rear end from the tranny. Having read about a hydrostatic setup some years ago, I am interested in replacing the driveshaft with a hydraulic pump and motor with the appropriate hoses, incorporating a crossover valve to effectively put the rear end into freewheel during towing. One parts man I talked to challenged the legality of the setup and I haven't been able to connect with anyone that can give me the straight dope in that respect. Has anyone heard of any research or experiments on hydrostatic systems in this application that would address the legality question and/or be of help to me in finding the proper capacities and sources for the components? I am not stuck on the hydrostatic concept. Any way to quickly and easily disconnect and reconnect the rear end would be acceptable.

Never heard of anything like that before.

I think it would be way simpler to just have a truck with a standard transmission in it.

Best of luck in your search.

Never heard of anything like that before.

I think it would be way simpler to just have a truck with a standard transmission in it.

Best of luck in your search.

Yeah, well, no doubt it would be simpler. Problem is to find one that's light enough to tow with a long bed with topper AND stick shift all in one vehicle, close enough I can get to it and at my price. Anyhow, thanks for the comeback.

I don't think I understand what you mean by that. I'm sure that you could find a truck like this, and a standard is way lighter than an automatic anyways...

I don't think I understand what you mean by that. I'm sure that you could find a truck like this, and a standard is way lighter than an automatic anyways...

Well, ok, I'm game. I just started looking, and the one I mentioned with the automatic is the only thing I found in my home area. From what I've seen, stick tranmissions are relatively scarce, at least around here. I did start looking online but ran out of time last night.

Here are my requirements: Curb weight fairly close to 3,300 lbs; Long bed, something near 8 feet (preferably with cover); Stick shift); 3.9 engine; A/C. Cruise and radio/CD would be nice, power windows would not. If you know of something like that, I would give it serious consideration.

Thanks again.

There is a device made (designed for RVers) that has a pump to keep fluid circulating in an auto tranny when the vehicle is in tow behind the motorhome, factory warranty is retained (check with your dealer). A current 4x4 Dakota automatic can be flat towed without damage, but I don't know the miles limit.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?prodID=2373&src=SRCH&tcode=37

Ureka! I checked on the Remco pump and discovered it is designed for front-wheel drive, but I did a little poking around on their site and found a mechanical disconnect mechanism for the driveshaft on a rear-wheel drive. It's a little pricey, but with a little work it can be transferred to future vehicles as well, which makes the cost more justifiable. Thanks for the pointer.

My truck is a 1997 Ram with a 3.9/5 speed, and it wasn't hard to come by. I'm actually disappointed that I ended up with it...

My truck does not have power windows, that is one thing I hate. What if someone takes the keys and you're in the truck or something, does that mean you die? I hate power windows, as crank windows make things so much simpler. The only "Power Windows" I like is the Rush album. Maybe you know what I mean...

the 3.9 is too small for a Ram as you found out, even the Dakota seems underpowered with it.

Yeah it's totally hopeless. I only really liked it because the 6-cylinder rams don't have the crappy looking side moulding and all that other useless crap I don't need. The V8 rams even have a plastic thing on the bottom of the tailgate and I can't figure out what it does.

My truck is getting a V8 someday. Not because it needs it, but just because I want it. A 440 probably because I like showing off sometimes, and I like going fast...

the 3.9 is too small for a Ram as you found out, even the Dakota seems underpowered with it.

So you can imagine my tribulations with the pickup I'm trying to replace--a Chevy S-10 with a 2.8. I've run a lot of miles under it, but I spent a lot of time feeling like an new car ad I saw many years ago--this guy and a kid chugging up a hill in an old beater and the kid says, "Gee, Dad, they're all passing us!"

I hear that.

underpowered?
0-60 in 10 minutes!
hmmm.... 3.7L (225 cu in.) 6 cylinder in a 5000 lb truck getting 29mpg (highway) for 404,997K miles (almost 405K this morning!)......

I like my six!

yeah, that's the old beast in the pix.
(and it'll tow a boat or trailer just as well as my brothers 5.9L van!)
Slantsixness

Sounds to me like you're running a slant six. Big difference from the V6. I had a Valient with a slant six once. Plenty of get up and go. I think the only reason they gave up the slant six was the length of the engine. But it was a much better engine than the V6, in my opinion.

Well, of course it is!

Wish they still made it.....
I can't kill this truck!

My uncle has an '80 D-100 with a 225, and we run diesel fuel and diesel oil in it all the time. Doesn't hurt it. It hasn't seen gasoline in about 15 years, and still runs like it's brand new...

Forgot to mention this, but when I would go to the States all the time with my dad, we would see semi's piggybacking other semis. There would be a lead truck, 2 piggybacked behind it, and then a small pickup on a rack on the last truck. How come you don't do that? I think it would save a pile of tires on your truck from not having to drag it everywhere, at least that's what I would do.

None of you know just how lucky you are, your not stuck with a 2.5L Dakota lol. But its ok, I think im gonna dress it up real pretty and show it off instead of try and race it.

My uncle has an '80 D-100 with a 225, and we run diesel fuel and diesel oil in it all the time. Doesn't hurt it. It hasn't seen gasoline in about 15 years, and still runs like it's brand new...

Now you got my attention. I have to confess my ignorance as to what a D-100 is, but a 225 is normally a gas engine isn't it? How is the power running diesel compared to gas? I have wondered for some time whether you could mix in a little diesel with the gas and get better mileage from the thicker fuel, but you're saying run straight diesel? Push me over with a feather! Is there any trouble with plugs fouling? Do you use regulation plugs? Any modification at all to accomodate the diesel fuel? And why the diesel oil? Man, that's cool as a moose!

None of you know just how lucky you are, your not stuck with a 2.5L Dakota lol. But its ok, I think im gonna dress it up real pretty and show it off instead of try and race it.

Good grief, Charley Brown! I don't blame you for retiring it from the track. That's like driving a two-ton VW. But take heart, I went to watch the races once when I was in college (Many years ago) and there was this underpowered or underskilled car (not sure which) that would get into every race and bump along in the gutter while everybody went whizzing past him along the wall. Well, believe it or not, he actually came in in the money once because so many of the other cars fell by the wayside that he finished second. So don't sell Number 2.5 short, it might surprise you someday. (But I wouldn't hold my breath! :)

Forgot to mention this, but when I would go to the States all the time with my dad, we would see semi's piggybacking other semis. There would be a lead truck, 2 piggybacked behind it, and then a small pickup on a rack on the last truck. How come you don't do that? I think it would save a pile of tires on your truck from not having to drag it everywhere, at least that's what I would do.

Well, now that you mention, it that would be workable. I just saw a picture for the first time last week, of a rig set up like that. This one looked like it had a ramp built into a trailer that the guy could tow to wherever he picked up the tractors, then put it on the last one to drive up on, to hold him up off the drive wheels of the tractor. As far as tires go, that hasn't been a hugely expensive item. I have 120 thousand on my last set and still about half tread left.

That is what you do right? Deliver truck tractors?

A D-100 is a half ton Dodge truck. 225's have always been gas engines. We have a small trucking company, and this truck is just used as a yard truck around the shop and everything, it usually never leaves the yard. All the semis run diesel, so we make the half ton run on it, I guess. Nope, no modifications whatsoever. I'm inclined to believe that those plugs might be the original ones the truck was bought new with, and the truck still runs perfect so I don't think they're fouled at all, like hey if it still runs why check?

I believe diesel oil should be run in everything, but that's just what I do. My truck, my cars, my lawnmower, and my trike all have diesel oil in them. It's simple because then you only have one kind of oil around the place.

Bleed,
you guys are getting out in left field here running straight diesel in a 225?. Does that D100's motor ever shut off? Somebody has to be putting ether or moonshine in that tank too, or you wouldn't get it started, especially in a cold northern climate.

But I will say that I've never tried it (diesel) in any of mine but are you sure they're not putting "tractor fuel" in it? Now I don't mean like a tractor-trailer tractor, I mean like a Allis-Chalmers/Ford type farm tractor. That crap is almost gasoline, but really low octane, and full of sediment and oils, but a 225 will run on it forever, give or take a valve or two. :)

Ok, maybe you got me confused?
Or is that D100 one of those 230 cu inch mitsubishi diesels from the late 70's? (not a slant six...)???
:cya:

I think we have a skeptic in our midst. Well, Bleed, what about that starting question? Or are you in a southern climate where that isn't a factor?

By the way, this thread started about hydrostatic drives. I finally found an "expert" that said what I would need for that is a pair of special variable-speed pump/motors which are very expensive, like four grand apiece. Not practical, but I'd still sorta like to do it, just to say I had. If I had the coins.

Nope, it's got a 225 gas. This truck only runs in the summer months, and it starts like a joke. A day like today it's 85 degrees outside. It shuts off, eventually. We only ever put enough fuel in it to keep it running for like 15 minutes, then it will run itself out, or stall first. I'm serious, it runs on diesel fuel. I live in Manitoba Canada.

I believe that hydrostatic stuff would be practical if you were driving all the time and never used the truck for anything else. I think it would be a wise investment. If I delivered trucks, I'd go for it. I like pulling trailers a little bit more, but I'd probably try it someday, just to say I did it. Mind you, I'm young and single and I spend my money on so many things I don't need...