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James Henry
Dodge Dakota
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11/13/2003
13:45:34
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 Subject: A-arms???
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I know this has been posted before, but noone has given a clean answer to this question. I have a 2000 2WD dakota, and I want to lift it. I see fabtech (I hear they are best) have a 2 and 3" lift. The 2" lift doesn't have new a-arms (nor does it lift the rear from what I see) whereas the 3" does have new a-arms. Is it bad to lift (with spacers or new coils) the front without new A-arms? I was thinking of lifting the front with fabtechs 2" lift, but since it doesn't come with A-arms, should I stay away? Also, I will lift the back with a shackle flip kit. I heard someone say that flipping the shackles gives a 7" lift! How is that possible when the axle is only like 2-3" diameter. Anyway. If anyone can give me a straight answer on the coil/spacer lift with no A-arms I would really appreciate it. Thanks again everyone.
James
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James Henry
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2003
02:53:41
| RE: A-arms???
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Well I just read that with the fabtech 2" lift you don't need new rims. I guess the a-arms are the problem with the 3" lift for needing new rims with less backspacing. Now Im leaning towards the 2" lift. Plus its WAY cheaper for us college kids.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2003
08:31:10
| RE: A-arms???
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I had the same truck as you did in the past. ( i traded it for a wrangler and i regret it) It was a 2000 2wd with 3 inch fab and 3 body. I don't think it's bad to lift the dak 2 inches without uppper a-arms because the stock arms are long enough for 2 inches of lift. 3 inches requires new a-arms for longer down travel (flex) but the fabtech kit has a little design flaw. The bumpstops are 1 inch away from the frame so you will have very little downward articulation (flex)(that was the problem with my kit, but not sure if it affected anyone else). When i had the kit installed on my dak, it was very sleek, and performed excellent, except for that knocking from the bumpstops hitting the frame over potholes and bumps. I would personally suggest the 2 incher if you are on a low budget since it's cheaper than the $700+ tag for the fabtech 3 incher. If you want to keep your stock ride, stick with the 2 inch coil spacer lift cuz the fabtech surely will stiffin your ride. You will also need rims with 3.75 backspacing as well to fit with the new a-arms(i managed to fit rims with 4.5 backspacing just by relocating the brake lines). As for the rear, the fabtech kit comes with add-a-leafs, but that didn't lift my rear enough to be level with the front. I added new shackles, which lower the leafs away from the frame, thus, lifting the truck 2 inches. I think you were speaking of a axle-flip, in which u take the leafs, which are below the axle on 2wd's, and u stick em on top. This does lift the truck 5 to 7 inches. You are only thinking of the thickness of the axle with is about 3.5 inches. You also have to consider the leafs which are about 1 to 2 inches thick, and that will add to the total of 5.5 or 6 inches. You also have to have a bracket or "seat" that the leafs connect to the axle with. Hope this was clear enough, i typed this as soon as i woke up :)
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James Henry
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
12:41:08
| RE: A-arms???
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Thanks for all that help chaximus. I appreciate it. My only questions now are, with the 2 inch coil spacer lift, how is the suspension travel? Wont there still be a knock from the bumbstops because the suspension is raised 2 inches? I would think it would have the same problem. Anyway. Ive heard mixed oppinions on the coil spacers, but they seem like they are the best route to keep stock ride and get the most travel. I don't just want hight in the lift. I want suspension travel more than anything. You can't get far on the trails I ride with 1" of downward travel. Anyway. If I get the 2" spacer, I dont need any new a arms or rims either right? It sounds like the cheapest way to lift with the best outcome. Im sure there is something Im not seeing here. I'll do some more research. Thanks again for all the help.
James
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
15:13:24
| RE: A-arms???
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Well the coil spacer lift is indeed the cheapest way to lift the dakota(except for the body lift).I would've taken that route if i knew about it before ordering the fabtech. Im not sure how the travel will be on the suspension with coil spacers because i haven't experienced that. But i know you'd have more downtravel than with the fabtech. One thing you have to get used to is that you have IFS (independent front suspension) and there will probably always be lack of travel. That's one reason why i traded the dak for a wrangler because i wanted a solid axle up front so i can flex more. (i hate the jeep now and will be buying a 2001 3 inch lifted dakota soon....they are addictive). With the spacer kit, u don't need new rims or arms. (that's why it's cheap) If travel and stock ride quality are your priorities, stick to the coil spacer lift. Fabtech's will definately stiffen your ride and lessen your flex (not the rear though). If you win the lottery (first give me some..hehe) then stick a solid axle up front :)
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
15:15:36
| RE: A-arms???
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Oh yeah, it wouldn't hurt to disconnect your sway bar when 4 wheeling cuz that'll give you more flex. I've always disliked sway bars cuz they don't allow one side to go up, and the other to go down. (I got disconnects on my wrangler and had em on my dakota too)
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James Henry
Dodge Dakota
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11/17/2003
16:23:59
| RE: A-arms???
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Thanks for the info again chaximus. Actually, I want a smooth offroad ride. I go wheelin in the 4 peaks mountain range here in AZ, and at first, there is a gravel trail that has many ripples. Its like a washboard. So what Im getting at is I want a smooth ride here. The stock shocks just don't cut it here. They are also very floppy when coming down hard over a bumb. I think Ive hopped my front end a couple times, and the suspension doesn't seem to like the rebound. Anyway. it sounds like I have my christmas present all lined up then.
1.5" coil spacers
add a leafs in the back
not sure on shocks, but thats over the price limit anyway.
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