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MeanGreen93
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
17:27:47
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 Subject: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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After reading ALOT of debate on cranking the Torsion bars I finally did it. I replaced the stock duty bars with new HD rated bars and cranked them up as far as they would go. I placed 2" lift blocks in the rear for a completed lift of 3 1/2" in front and 2" in back. I also just stuffed Dunlap Mud Rover 32 x 11.50 x 15 on the stock rims and it is SWEET. Total cost of lift 380 bux. WELL worth it!!!!! I am getting a slight rub when fully cranked but I am ordering new rims with a 3 1/2" positive offset to resolve that issue. Anyway, just thought I would post a success story for a GEN II Dakota ( 93 4X4 V8 )
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NEW_SOL
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
17:36:18
|  RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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COOL, got any pics?
'00 4.7Lsct
kustomkatback,,,
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MeanGreen93
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2005
21:26:54
|  RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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I got some pics of it under my carport but I will get some this weekend in the woods. Now if I can just figure out how to post them here. The sickest art of this story is that I also ordered the trail master 4/3 lift becouse the shop that is installing it will weld it on permanent to make it stronger. So hopefully I can stuff 33 x 12.50 x 15's next time.
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Bucket
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2005
11:58:33
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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I have 3 1/2" backspacing on my 94 because i didnt want any rub on the frame,well it pushed my tires so far out that they rub the front and back sides of the fender wells VERY badly even on a normal turn and i have a 3" body lift and i trimmed the fender wells,the tires are 32x11.5x15 super swamper ssr radials,anyway my point is if i could do it over i would reconsider the 3 1/2 backspace and go to 4 atleast on the Gen II......My suspension lift is getting installed on wed next week so the rubbing hasnt concerned me that much, not to mention i only drive the truck two to three times a year...http://www.cardomain.com/ride/857674/1
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forexfour
GenIII
8/19/2005
13:39:51
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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I was gonna post the same info but for 2 reasons.
Yes changing the BS that much will only move where you are rubbing at. Realistically it is better to rub frame than fenders since you can cause some damage to fender rub.
Also you change the BS to 3.5" and you are stressing the poor and weak IFS front end and asking for future problems unless you are under it checking stuff frequently.
I did the same as you but ran 33x12.5 with a 1/4" spacer til I got my suspension lift.
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Bucket
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2005
15:03:35
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Amen!I just hope the suspension lift is enough to totally eliminate all rubbing,because your exactly right,all the wheelspace did was move where it rubs,but i hadnt thought of that before i ordered the rims,my focus was totally on the frame rub,if i could go back i definitly would do it different.and thinking about it makes sense that if you space out your tires and rims more pressure on your parts.Forexfour I think your exactly right
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Bucket
Dodge Dakota
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8/19/2005
18:40:17
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Also i checked out your website....sweet i like the dale road pics thats an area i like to prospect,the mines are great,do you remember the name of the mine you were at with the wooden structure?or the tunnel with the cart tracks coming out? I would like to check those out next time i go there.I went to the O.K mine and the trail was rough and alot was washed out,still i got there and got back home and thats always a good trip.
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MeanGreen93
Dodge Dakota
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8/20/2005
00:03:56
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Hmmm maybe a 3.75" backspace will do it. I dont plan on going bigger tires than a 33 x 12.50. I still have atleast 2 inches space between the tire and fenders and I am only Torsion bar cranked. I will be installing the 4/3 lift soon and then it will NEVER rub.
Thanks for all the replies. I am off to more mud in the pinetop AZ area this weekend
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forexfour
GenIII
8/23/2005
10:55:56
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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That is why we post, we are right alot of the times since we have been there done that or already knew that.
Anything more than 1" less BS on your rims and you are asking for it.
A lift will help some but reality is to really flex and wheel 33x12.5's are just to big. If you are a street queen then you will be fine.
I am sure the street queenies will will post this or that and say no problems but it you are gonna wheel it then trouble is in your future.
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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8/23/2005
22:07:37
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Forexfour, I like your website, spent about an hour and watched all the vids.
I'm in the Santa Clarita area (about 20 min. north of San Fernando Vally) and frequent pismo often.
Since you've been there and done that with the Dak, I would like to pick your brain on a couple things.
First off I have a '02 QC 4X4 with the 4.7, 205mm front diff and 9.25 open rear with 3.55's. My plans were to go with the Rancho 3" lift. Which brings me to tires. I want to be able to wheel this thing pretty good with out having to think about the front end coming apart. What tire would you recommend with that lift? I was thinking about 33x10.5 or 32x11.5 with a set of 4.10's and a powertrax no-slip in the rear. I dont want any rub, even on the frame(and already plan for the Hansen Bumper. Do you think that set-up would survive? How well would it stack up against an '02 F-150 with 35's and a 4 inch lift?
I just want the thing to be reliable and a decent trail machine. I know it will never have the flex of a ZJ or YJ but will it be a competent mild duty wheeler or under constant repairs from mild trail duty? Should I just pick-up an 01 Ram 1500 with the 5.9 and Danna 44/9.25?
Your thoughts appreciated.
Chris
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forexfour
GenIII
8/24/2005
09:39:30
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Honestly you seem to be on the right track with most of what you posted in my opinion. I like the 3" Rancho lift and the idea to run 33x10.5's that is a very smart move, That is what I ran and it was a great setup, full flex, what little you will get at least. The gears is a good choice as well.
Here is where I will say bad move, Power trax, yep I said it. Full on lock that rear with a Detroit and you will be a very happy person off road. I am sure you will find backers on the power trax and they will say all day they love it great. Still do it right and put in a detroit. If Cash is an issue start to save your pennies. Do you have an automatic. That will work best with a detroit.
The Hanson is the best looking Dakota bumper out there and this setup will be solid for a Dakota if you plan to wheel it and hard or moderatly.
Dont know much about a Ford's setup as you mention but FORD's SUCK PERIOD.
Since you are SO CA you should hook up with us over at www.offroadworld.net and hit the CA Chapter, We do at least a run a month if not more. We have a planned run to Big Bear in October, Glamis Novemeber, Truckhaven December, Slickrock in the Sierra's next month Future runs include, lockwood miller trail, our second Moab run and then where ever else we decide to go. Great group of people and we just got back from our larger run at pismo, we hit that place up usually January and August.
It would be cool to meet up and we have a pretty good Dakota showing in our group. Also lots of great mechanically smart people as well.
Chris
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2005
12:28:50
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Chris, thanks for the info, I will definitly have to hook up with you guys on a trail run.
You pretty much confirmed my thoughts on which route I will take with this truck. Although, I thought about waiting to lift it until Rough Country comes out with there non torsion drop 6" lift, but I feel that may be more of a lift for looks rather than wheel'in. I actually know some people from ORU, employee's and Maurice the owner. I may just go SAS some day, but thats would be years down the road.
Is the flex really that poor on the Dak? From the video's I watched of your truck the rear seems to do good, the front doesn't look too bad considering it's IFS. Were you running with sway bars attached? Anything you don't ike about the Rancho lift?
My decision to go with the power-trax is two fold. One, yes cost is a factor and the other is this truck is a daily driver (my wife drives it mostly as I have a company car). If I go with power-trax if will allow me to see if a locker is even managable on the street for her with-out breaking the bank and would allow me to return it to open if it's just too much. If I/see finds that it drives satisfactory with the locker then I will save for the DL as a future upgrade. BTW, I have a DL in my 10 second 68 Dodge Dart with a D60 so I'm pretty familuar with how they feel,I just don't know how the Dak will respond.
I have been debating between 4.10's and 3.91's. I'm not sure what transmission or rear gears your running in your Dak, but do you know what RPM's your spinning at 70mph? My dak has the five speed auto, the one with two second gears I think it's called the 45RFE.
Any additional information you have would be great.
Chris
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forexfour
GenIII
8/24/2005
13:14:04
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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I had the 3.92 gears and it really needed the 4.10's at least.
The detroit is pretty tame in the back with an auto some chirping in parking lots and you can spin them on wet streets pretty easy from a stop. All in all a good setup, power trax are known to be loud and annoying.
Flex??? What flex, yeah you get rear flex but not enough up front to keep them where they belong, on the ground. I always had the sways on but I had a buddy that removed his on his dak and no real noticable increased flex but lots of body roll while driving it. I flexed that truck a lot just to try and loosen it up some.
I no longer have the Dakota, sold it to a friend of mine. It still runs great and wheels well. He is just afraid to take it out like I did.
I had the v-6 with the superchips programmer so that helped out some with the lift and tires and shifting and power.
The more you have to crank the TB's to get the lift in front you need the less flex you will get.
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david ledger
Dodge Dakota
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8/25/2005
02:13:37
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Chris- I have the exact same truck 02QC 4.7, 205 mm in from 9.25 in back. I have the 3" Rancho lift and love it. I run 305/70/16 MTR's (basically the metric equal to 33x12) with 4.25 b/s and they clear with plenty of room. I could probably run 315s with minor trimming at the back edge of the front tires, the rears would clear with no cutting at all.
As for the locker, forexfour is right on. I have the Detroit model 187C-172A and it is worth every hard-earned penny. Go for this locker.
I also just received my Hanson bumper and will be installing it and a Warn 9.5ti this weekend. That bumper is one fine piece of work, a bit expensive but now that I have it I dont feel like I paid too much. It is an awesome piece of work, heavy construction, perfect welding and nicely powder coated in black for an extra 100 bucks. Hanson supplies all the brackets and bolts to mount it to the frame, a few of the stock bolts are re-used.
My other mods are rear disk brake conversion, Magnaflo exhaust (killer with the V8) and Airaid intake set up.
Coming next is to install a front axle from an 00 Dakota, which is the Dana 35. The Dana 35 can be locked with the Aussie locker (Mrkawfey from this board has done it). As it is now, my stuff will go almost anywhere the best setup jeeps will go, and a lot of places they dont, and with the front locker i think my only limit will be ground clearance or deep water.
Get the Detroit 187A -172C - its about 2x the cost of an ez locker, but you wont regret spending the extra $$
Last thing, I see alot of posts coming down hard on the IFS we have. It might not be the best set-up or have the flex of SA, but I pound the crap out of mine and it aint let me down yet.
Good luck!
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forexfour
GenIII
8/25/2005
10:19:52
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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You gotta pay for quality and the Hanson is nothing but. I have met Wayne seen his shop and all the other projects he does for all the local County Sherrifs rigs and then all the Jeep stuff, His quality and design know how is waht you pay for. I have seen it, anyone who can weld can put a bumper together and make it look good but quality and experience shows in a Hanson.
Yep Detroit all the way!
I have seen a Dakota Rancho lifted just last weekend lose the front IFS pretty bad. We were at Pismo Night run at 2 AM Saturday morning and one of our Dakota buds dumped 3 of 4 mounts holding the front suspension up and lost a CV. The truck had to be left at Pismo for it to be fixed, it was pretty ugly also a pretty expensive fix. The mounts on the diff and housing were ripped off. We weren't even playing that hard. UGH sorry Bob!
Just stay on top of the IFS parts and stuff and you will be OK but you can lose anything in a flash with one wrong move.
Chris
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
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8/26/2005
00:31:24
| RE: Torsion Bar Lift Success
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Rear disc brake conversion? Are you kidding me? That is sweet, you have to send me the information for this. I was so bummed when the '03's came out with rear disc's. I thought about a conversion but didn't think it was possible with the ABS and proportioning valve. The factory brakes on my Dak are abismal at best. Real soft pedal that likes to go the floor. Sometimes it feels like it's not going to stop. Did you notice a difference with the conversion? I need details! Yeah, the Detroit is probably the best solution for the rear. Don't they make a quiet version now (quieter at least)?
I'll probably hold off on the front diff for awhile. Some good stuff maybe around the corner since the new ram uses the same front diff. When it comes down to the front though, I'll probably just go SAS or maybe see if Maurice at ORU can fab up a killer coil spring suspension. Untill then I think I'll be ok three wheel'in it.
Durabilty is/was a big concern considering the added stresses of the Rancho lift, tires, gears etc but I just can't think of another mid size truck that has a V8 and four doors like the DAK, could a Toyota Tacoma be any stronger? They have IFS as well.
Your truck sounds exactly like how I will set mine up (less the dana 35) I'd like some pics if possible, plus some info on the rear disc conversion.
Thanks,
Chris
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