91-96 lift kits...etc... - Dodge Dakota Forum

From	Message
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/17/2001 00:41:04	Subject: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: I have the 91 V8 4x4 Ex-Cab, wondering what suspension lifts are available for this truck. Looking for quality, not some "chinsey", flimsy, poor riding lift kit. I'm looking for a complete one with an awesome reputation (proven), and works good. If it takes a long time to install, that's not a prob, as long as it works as it should. I'd prefer not to run 3" or higher blocks in the rear. New leafs springs would be better in my mind with maybe a 1-2" rear block if possible. I'd also like the front to sit an inch or a little more higher than the rear. I'd much rather have that look than anything else. Roughly 3-5" lift would be great..... Any ideas...? I hadn't seen much from cruizin' the Internet, but I'm sure you guys know plenty. Also, I understand that you need to run different wheel backspacing of some sort. Will these wheels work? Weld Typhoons--- 15X8 6X4.5 bolt pattern with 35/8 backspacing & a 3.18 centerbore.. Thanks!! PS: The truck runs 30" tires now with 3.91 gears, I was going to throw on some 31", but if I got a lift, I was going to run 32"....I'm sure that would look "good", right? 33" would be too much, even with a lift, correct? It does have stock fender flares, if that matters any...
Hawkeye Dakota Enthusiast 6/17/2001 09:27:31	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Trailmaster makes a 4 inch suspension lift that would be perfect for you. 4 Wheel Parts has it. http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2.asp?imseqn=543&occlass=T%2FM&cat=SUS 32x11.50's on 15x8's would probably be perfect. '00 QC 4x4 4.7 3.55 LSD 32x11.50 BFG AT's Jet Power
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/17/2001 10:35:44	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Hawkeye: Thank you for the help. Any idea about the backspacing on the wheels?
Hawkeye Dakota Enthusiast 6/17/2001 10:58:05	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: That I'm not sure about. I would recommend staying as close to stock as possible though. May have to check with a good tire and rim shop on that. '00 QC 4x4 4.7 3.55 LSD 32x11.50 BFG AT's Jet Power
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/17/2001 11:01:46	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: OK, thanks for replyig anyhow, I'll look into the wheel dilemma,as well as call trailmaster on Monday to get the low down on what options are available for the kit.....Sounds promising...
Walt Felix Dodge Dakota 6/17/2001 17:07:57	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: At the moment, TrailMaster is the only manufacturer who makes a suspension kit for your truck. It’s a high quality kit however, it does require a bit of work to get the brackets to line up with some of the holes in the frame. I’m some cases, there was as much as a quarter inch difference. I installed it on my ’88 with a bit of modification. On my webpage I have photos of the installation on my truck. I also had scanned the TrailMaster instructions and have them in .PDF format on the page. It’s a large file, 6MB, and will take some time to download. Walt Felix Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
Dirty D Dodge Dakota 6/17/2001 23:12:41	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: I understand you want to raise the truck, but why in the world would you want it higher in the front than the rear, better approach angle, if that is it, MAYBE. But to think that it looks good, You've got to be crazy man!!?? When I bought my truck, the front was higher than the rear (Look like it was ready to FLY!!) Hated it, but fixed it with 2" lift blocks in the rear leafs. DO what you want though, Just glad it ain't my truck!!!
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/18/2001 00:20:49	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Walt: Thanks for the confirmation. I had a feeling that this trailmaster lift was the only thing out there, I just wasn't seeing anything else around. But I'll grab that file from your site, appreciate it!! Hopefully I can use you as a reference if I have any questions about the actual lift when installing. Dirty: Haven't you ever seen a lifted truck with the front higher than the rear? Where do you live? I'm sure that has a lot to do with how you raise your truck. Out here in CA, we do things our way. High in the front, and a tad lower in the rear. Especially those 2WD ranger guys around here. They run like 6" front lift and like a 3-5" rear. We like fiberglass fender fenders and huge front ends with custom bumpers galore, etc etc. Almost any truck you see lifted here in Southern CA, the front is typically a little higher than the front. I love the way they ride. I had my 85 Ramcharger with a Superlift 5.5" lift, and it runs a 5" rear straight from superlift, but it actually measured out like 5.5 in the front and like 4.75 in the rear. It cornered so much better and hard braking was also substantly better. Trust me, it works, and looks sweet, at least from our point of view. Don't get me wrong, a lift that's even is ok, but I think I can speak for most truck drivers in my area that lift their truck, and most will say run the front a little higher...... As ex: You will always see Chevy Tahoes like this, Chevy Full size, every ranger, some dodge's, a lot of Toyotas, and a few in between. Most the lifts you see in the specs sheet also advertise higher lifts in the front. Check out Pro Comps lifts for the chevy's, most of them are advertised as such.....that's how they do it, that's how we like it too.... And in the end, MINE will look better. hehehe oops, did I say that?
dirtydak Dodge Dakota 6/18/2001 14:55:15	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: ...and do you know why they list kits as being a little higher in front? Thats is because most truck from the factory are nose divers. By lifting it higher in the front and less in the back makes the truck level. Also if the truck has coils in the front, it helps maintain a good look after the coils sag with time. Thats will always happen no matter the lift manufacturer. As for californians having there lift higher in the front? I have never heard or seen this before. Check out the rigs at www.pirate4x4.com Most are from california and not a one of there trucks are lifted that way. Ask around and you won't hear anyone speak of having suck a look. But to each their own I quess.
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/18/2001 15:37:29	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Update with Trailmaster: Called them this morning, talked with Randy. He said I would need to cut out the current crossmember to get the new one, and the shift motor would need to be modified, replaced or something along those lines. Anyway, the cutting thing is permanent and I don't know if I like that, Ugh! Plus, the retail on it is $1700! That's a huge price! If I can't find it for a descent deal, I don't think I'm going to get it....We'll see. I really don't like cutting into something....Thanks for the help anyhow...Maybe a body lift instead, even though I don't like them all that much either..I don't know... DIRTY: I do understand about the leveling out over time with the sag in the coils or leafs or whathaveyou, but still, most kits these days have the the front a little higher. I'm not talking about show trucks here or custom lifts, most of those do have a lift which is level, but with your daily driver lifted trucks (at least in CA), most of these are somewhat higher in the front, and of course, over time, go down some because of settling and engine weight, etc etc. Yes, most do nose dive, so it's only another reason to keep the front end higher over the rear, etc etc..... To each his own, just opinion and from what I've observed and purchased and what all my friends have. But don't get me wrong, some trucks look better just about level, but with the trucks that I like and see the most of, have about 3/4" or more lift in the front....=) Have a good one....
Hawkeye Dakota Enthusiast 6/18/2001 18:56:53	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Ry, Check with 4 Wheel Parts for the lift kit. THey have it on their website for $1300. May be able to do you a little better if you call them. Just for comparison, I used to work at the 4 Wheel Parts here in town. Every truck we put a lift on was either level or retained the factory look. Never had any higher in the front. Most lift kits say on their stat sheet that it will raise the front slightly more than the rear. That is manily so that it will be level when finished. I do know though that out west (CA area) that 2x4 PreRunner trucks and some 4x4 race trucks are higher in the front so that they can handle serious bumps and jumps (more suspension travel)with the weight of the motor up front. '00 QC 4x4 4.7 3.55 LSD 32x11.50 BFG AT's Jet Power
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/18/2001 19:24:17	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Hawkeye: Thanks for the imput. Yeah, I saw that they have it for 1300. I'm hoping I can get it a little lower if possible. Not that I'm cheap or anything....but I need to buy wheels too since the backspacing can't be anymore than 4" or so.....per trailmaster... About the lifting in front thing. Yeah. It's weird, I know I'm not seeing things, cos' I see lifted trucks all the time and they all seem to be a little higher in the front. Maybe it's perception at times, I'm not sure, but I appreciate your expert opinion having seem them after having the lifts installed at a 4 wheel parts.... Regarding CA, it seems to be trendy here with the front higher. Especially the 2wd ranger folks. Almost every single lifted 2wd ranger you'll see, will be like that. But then again, just about every 2wd lifted truck is like that, but especially the ranger. For one of the reasons you mentioned. I'd say at least 50-75% of the other trucks I see lifted here are also higher in the front, just not to the same degree, as say the rangers. OK, sorry to babble on about it. I just wanted to make sure that I'm not making this stuff up as I go along. Again as an example, my superlift on my Ramcharger was an advertised 5.5 front and a 5 rear. Even after years of use, it still was about 1 to .5" higher in the front. And my ram was around 6300lbs (very very heavy in the front). This doesn't make it a rule of thumb or anything, but with people I know, trucks I see, a lot of them are this way....=) This may be totally unlike other places, but where I live (san diego), it "appears" this way..... Oh, my friends Jeep ended up being level after doing his spring over, and 2.5-3.0" skyjacker lift and 3" body lift. So not all my friends trucks turned out higher in the front, haha. I lied a little......
Hawkeye Dakota Enthusiast 6/18/2001 19:45:29	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Yeah, there does seem to be a little differance out your way. Like I said, Ive seen them both ways. I have sen lots of pics of rangers and s-10's with the nose up look. Kinda funny looking to me. HEHE. But I am from the land of rednecks where everything is 6 to 12 inches higher with 35 to 44 inch tires. From listening to people talk on here, a lot of them would freak if they came here and saw how many trucks are on the road. They out number cars 2 or 3 to 1. Please, ramble on. I like a good discussion with different points of view. So long as it can be a friendly conversation and not a stupid, pointless argument. I just had a thought. Are most of the trucks you see out there IFS? If they are, then maybe when they are installing or having the kits installed, they are raising the torsion bars a little. Just a thought. Personally I think that with the nose in the air it would make it a little harder to see things in front of you. Just looks a little funny to me but you could park it next to mine any day, I wont mind!! hehe. '00 QC 4x4 4.7 3.55 LSD 32x11.50 BFG AT's Jet Power
Ry Dodge Dakota 6/18/2001 20:24:22	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Kewl. I wasn't sure if I was being annoying by standing firm by what I've seen and experienced out here in CA. I hate wasting cyberspace with any more of those unwarranted comments by idiots. Don't want to be one of those. Anyhow, where you from, so then I might be able to understand the redneck way of "liftage"? To me, the more trucks, the better. So seeing how the ratio of trucks to cars over there is high, I think that's great. Here too in CA, SUVs and trucks probably outnumber the little bitty cars on the roads here. Californians are SUV crazy!! The more gas they use, the more expensive they are, we just seem to buy them, haha. (Gas cunch, what??)haha Here are the typical lifted trucks on the road just for examples, so you get a taste of what I see all the time.... 1: Chevy Tahoes, 6" procomp lift, with 33s or 35s 2: Ford Rangers, custom lifs, pro comps 6", etc etc, with mostly 31-33s. 3: Chevy fullsize (newer ones) same lifts I see on Tahoes... 4: Toyota: Everything under the sun, and actually, you'll only see the newer T-100s and some Tacomas with the nose a little higher, all the other ones are equal in lift, front to rear, with also the exception of the 4-runner, which already natually sits super low in the rear. 5: Dodge Ram: Ranch 3" lifts, a lot of those, mostly 33s, some 35's. (I want to see more of the 5" superlifts!!) 6: Ford F-150s ProComps 4-6" lift, with nose high, 2 and 4wd lifts, with the 2wd really nose high. F-250-F350 new and older 4wd only I see lifted, either stock lifts with 33-36", and the occassinal custom or some kind of lift, don't know what, but the new crew cabs with the 38-44's, and about 8-12" lifts.....some on the road... That's just a good representation off hand of what I see. Of course there are a crap load of SUV lifts, etc, but I'm not going to waste any one else's time here. As for your question. I'd say almost all of the newer chevys of course have the IFS, and have that option of cranking on the torsions a little bit. Not sure. Definitely possible. You know, at times, even having the end of my truck up a little higher about an inch or so like I said, it made it hard to see over the huge hood when going up steep hills, or hills with turns. But, when going down hill or into ravines or ditches or washes, and hitting wash outs, having the higher front end on my truck saved my butt many of times, haha. But I totally here what you're saying. Some of these guys run them too high in the front, and it's a little lame. I'd say within reason keep the front higher, maybe like with 3/4"-1.25 inches higher is kewl and reasonable. Back to Dodge's, since it's a Dodge board. I see a lot of Dakotas around now, not so many of the 91s-96s, some, but not as many as the newer body styles.... Anyhow, I've seen 2 nicely lifted 91-96's this week! One white and grey two tone with the trailmaster lift, and the other a dark forest green with the same lift, since they looked identical in lift appearance. They both were running 32's, and the front of the lift, kid you not, was around 1" taller in the front, by a visual when driving by it. (per trailmaster too, 3" rear, 4" front, taking into consideration sagging). Either way, the trucks lift looked awesome!! The wheels were aftermarket, and they seemed to be a little more deep dish and it had a wide stance up front, seemed stable too.... A Chick was driving the white one and the other was a couple...I gave the girl the "OK" sign when driving along in my friends Grand Cherokee. She wasn't bad either...hehe.... Hey, you can park next to mine too, just watch the small pool of oil when getting in and out...haha....Gotta love an older one...=) Thanks for the conversation...still hope to get a lift, we'll see.....have to see if it's going to be worth it...
Hawkeye Dakota Enthusiast 6/18/2001 20:53:13	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: I'm in Jacksonville, Florida. Cool deal on the trucks!! '00 QC 4x4 4.7 3.55 LSD 32x11.50 BFG AT's Jet Power
Tyler Dutton Dodge Dakota 11/27/2001 18:41:05	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: can somebody please help me with something. i hav e a 93 dakota sport 4x4. i would realy like to slap some large tires on it, but i need about a 3" lift for the ones i want to fit. i am cheap so i am looking into body lift kits. i found one, but i have many questins about body lifts. it seems that the firewall will move up, so how do i move everything that is mounted to it down? will i have to move the bumper up? will i have to upgrade my steering to fit? what all is required, and last but not least, what do you guys think of my plan, stupid or worth it in the long run? any amount of time or work is fine by me. thanks a billion.
Ry Dodge Dakota 11/27/2001 19:17:30	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Tyler: If you have the V6, the Trailmaster Body Lift would be ideal. If you have the V8 engine, you will need to do some fan shroud hacking, etc. Both bumpers will have to be relocated 3" up, which is all manual and is a pain to some degree, the kit comes with the linkage stuff and steering stuff....bolts and all the crap... To me, I wanted the same thing you did. But in actuality, it wasn't worth the headache to me to run 1" taller tires, 31s. I run 30's with NO probs, but 31's cause major issues without a lift because I tried it. The only other option is the trailmaster 4" suspension lift, will cost around 1200 bucks, but the crossmember will be a permanent fixture, after removing the stock one. I don't want a permanent lift, so that was not an option I want to take. So basically it's hard to matter what you do. If you can find a company that makes "glass" (fiberglass fenders) for the truck, throw those on and call it a day and run taller tires...Otherwise it's a hard battle... Good luck...Ryan
kyle Dodge Dakota 12/20/2001 19:01:39	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: i live in northern california ,but my girlfriend goes to san diego state university so i am down south frequently. i remember the first time i went down and saw all the ford rangers and f-150's with the front ends substantially higher. i could not figure out why the hell people who do this. it looked as if they could only afford the front half of the lift and were waiting on the funds to buy the rear of the lift. and every ford ranger has fiberglass fenders and pre-runner style bumpers. i figured out that they were trying to make there trucks look like a pre-runner style truck. i personally think it looks ridiculous. there are a few trucks down there with real nice long travel suspension but most are just for looks. and a lot of them have the coffee can exhausts like on the the rice rockets. they really are fun to point and laugh at!
jLo Dodge Dakota 12/21/2001 04:25:06	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: i slapped 31's on my '94 v8 4x4 club cab without any problem. even when i put the plow on, they don't rub. so you should be alright with those. otherwise, slap a lift on and have fun!
phat4x4 Dodge Dakota 12/24/2001 10:21:49	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Ry, if the price is a little much--like it is for me--you may want to look at a straight axle conversion. It may be a little more lift than you're looking for, but THE BIGGER THE BETTER. j/k, check out the posts for the swaps. The price may or may not be better, depending on who you talk to.
akaheisman GenII 12/24/2001 13:23:45	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: jLo - When you "...slapped 31's..." on your '94, what wheels did you use?
jLo Dodge Dakota 12/25/2001 04:35:20	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: i used the stock wheels that came on it, i think they're 15x7. they're the 6 spoke wheels. you can see what the truck looks like at www.geocities.com/mazda_boy and click on truck pics.
jLo Dodge Dakota 12/25/2001 04:50:57	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: ps. it's dak pics you click on, and also i cranked my torsion bars and added 3" blocks in the back.
92dakotahd GenI 1/03/2002 17:11:23	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Does anyone know if this lift will work on a 2X? I have seen the trailmaster lift in several different places and some specify "4WD ONLY" and others don't. And how hard is exactly to get the bumpers up to height after a body lift? I have considered this many times after seeing a Dak at the 4X4 Jamboree in Indy with a body lift and a 3 in. strip of visible radiator in front and thinking how rediculous it looked. thanks for any help.
brett Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 1/15/2002 16:10:41	Lift kit for a 99 f-150 IP: Logged Message: I have a 99 F-150. Regular cab, short wide, and i was wanting to dress up my truck a little bit. I am a senior in high school and i wanted to do this myself before i went off to college. Just something to be different. I know that they are out there i just wanted some advice. Thanks
dan Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 4/07/2002 15:33:44	2wd '96 lift kits IP: Logged Message: i need a lift kit for '96 2wd clubcab dakota. i am hoping for about 4-6". so for i have only been able to find coil spring spacers. i also haven't found a good way to lift the rear. the axle sits above the leak spring so i can't use blocks. any tips will. thanks
Super Bee Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 4/08/2002 02:57:38	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: get an axel from a 4x4 and switch the axle so they are on top
matt Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 7/26/2002 00:29:20	RE:91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: I have a 1992 dakota v8 4x4 ext cad. I was woundering if there is any way i could fit 33x12.5 on my truck i dont want to spend to much on a lift cause the wheels and tires will cost enough.any solution...
Joe E. Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 7/26/2002 00:57:04	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Yeah, talk to santa clause! Maybe he can fit something in his ride. Honestly tho man, to run 33x12.50s on a 92' Dak is hard.Your gonna need a 3in body lift, and a modified 4in Trailmaster lift. Then youll be ok. But your talking 2 grand at least to get that high plus wheels. Good Luck tho. Joe E.
jason Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE 8/16/2002 21:53:22	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: I HAVE A 2WD 92 DAKOTA 318 w/EXT. CAB AND I REALLY NEED HELP TO FIND A LIFT KIT FOR IT IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS PLEASE EMAIL ME. jasonvillapando83@hotmail.com
92dakotahd GenII 8/17/2002 09:50:30	RE: 91-96 lift kits...etc... IP: Logged Message: Anybody know how hard and how expensive it is to go with a straight axle conversion and just customize your own lift would be?
	P 1 Next Page>>

Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.