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mike
Dodge Dakota
7/08/2001
12:36:20
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 Subject: solid axle
IP: Logged
Message:
i have a 1989 4x4 dakota and i want to lift it, however there is not much available. so a friend of mine who works at a custom shop said lets put a solid axle and leafs in it. how hard is it to do that and are leafs a better alternative to coils? any and all input is appreciated.
thanks mike
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TigerDak
Dodge Dakota
7/08/2001
13:54:07
| RE: solid axle
IP: Logged
Message:
Wait a minute. I also have a 1989 4x4, and I know a guy here in town that can install a TrailMaster 4" lift onto the 1989 Dakota's. That lift system is specifically designed for Dakota's dating back to 1991. But, this guy does lift systems for IFS trucks all day long for many, many years and he told me he could do it. He knows all the configurations and specs necessary to adapt it to the 1989 4x4 models. He said what parts would come in the lift kit and what would be needed for adapting it to the 1989 trucks.
For $1,400 for the cost of the lift, and another $500 to install it, I havent had the dough yet to let him do the job. But he sounded very confident he could do it. He has worked on a lot of Dakota's and after talking to him, he won my trust. If you want I could give you his phone number and you could talk to him.
I'm just telling you this so you have an alternative.
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Walt Felix
Dodge Dakota
7/09/2001
11:43:41
|  RE: solid axle
IP: Logged
Message:
I installed the TrailMaster 4" kit on my ’88. Click on my links below and go to my Dakota webpage. There you will pictures of the installation and what problems I ran into.
If you do it, try to replace the stock front knuckles with those of a 91. You'll avoid most of the problems I had. If you plan on using the optional front dual shock kit, get a set of 91 lower control arms and a 91 front sway bar and brackets.
If you want to go the straight axle route, I have seen that done a few times and a Dana 44 from a 78-79 Ford Bronce works great. Look through some of the older posts and you'll find links to people who have already done it.
Walt
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CHUCK
Dodge Dakota
7/17/2001
02:12:49
|  RE: solid axle
IP: Logged
Message:
Here's a site that's the best (IMHO) example of a conversion to a solid axle that I've found and I've been looking a while! Since this setup uses all the hardware from the ford donor, including the spring mounts, all aftermarket lift parts like coils and shocks for the ford can work on the conversion too. This guy did a super job of photographing and describing his mods. Soon as I locate an old bronco or 1/2ton ford p/u I'm going to try it myself! http://www.utahwest.com/conv.htm
Good luck!
Chuck
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