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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
9/08/2001
22:08:10
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 Subject: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
It was a warm late summer New England Saturday. I had finished the morning errands at around 12:30 and carried out the parts to my long awaited Performance Accessories 3" body lift kit. I was pumped.
I had already leafed through the instructions the past few days and already had it all planned in my head. All the disassembly went perfect. Took off the wiper/coolant reservoirs, unbolted the fan(s). Took out the fan shrouds. Loosened the brake lines, released the steering shaft.
A couple friends popped over who had heard the news. With their help, the cab and bed were lifted, blocks inserted, it looks GREAT. We sat down for some last chance BBQ food and (I) marveled at the success thus far.
OK, cue banjo music. It was getting dark. Friends had left. I figured I would seal the bolts on the bed and hang the rear bumper. The bed went fine, however, upon inspecting the rear bumper area, I noticed a little somthing left out from the "things to do" in the kit manual. The spare tire lift mechanism now had a slight "curvature" to it as the end of it had previously went through the bumper (should have remembered this, as the spare was the first thing to come off) and the rest of it is on the frame. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Anyways, I am still smilin, and will have the rest put together tomorrow mornin, just wanted to share the excitement. She was my first ;-)
MikeC
2001 4.7 4X4 CC
pics to come.
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
9/08/2001
22:17:25
|  RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Good work, Mike! I'll look forward to some pics! So are you gonna be able to make your spare lifter work again?
Congrats!
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
www.geocities.com/blizzzzard69
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
9/08/2001
22:51:36
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Good job Mike! Lets see some pics when you can.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
9/09/2001
10:22:03
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Was kinda late when I posted last night. I just reread your post Mike and just got the part about the spare tire crank. LOL! I hate when that happens. What kind of tires, rims, etc are you running??
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
9/09/2001
15:22:53
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Thanks guys! I'm gonna see if the tire lifter will straighten. I drive too far to work to not have one secured under there ;-)
For tires, I'm still runnin stock for now. I still think it looks good with them on, and they only have 17k miles on them, so it isn't quite time from a practical standpoint. Was thinkin of some BFG 285/75R16's (33X11.5 or so). My birthday's comin', so I'll see if I can slide that one past my wife ;-)
All I can say is thanks to the guys who have posted about theirs. I wouldn't have done it as soon without this cool board.
MikeC
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rEID tARDO
Dodge Dakota
9/12/2001
14:25:43
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Thats it....I cant take any more...Im ordering mine TODAY!!!!!
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
9/12/2001
14:47:26
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
GO rEID GO!!!!
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
9/12/2001
15:16:31
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Haha..great name rEID.
LET'S HEAR IT FOR PETEY!!! j/k
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
9/12/2001
15:52:47
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Where are those PICS mike????
;o)
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
www.geocities.com/blizzzzard69
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
9/12/2001
19:41:09
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
Mike those 285's will fit nicely. Especially if you have the Fact. 8 inch wide rims. BFG's are great as you know. You may also want to look into the Pro Comp's. If you are interested in an all terrain they are very good and a bit cheaper than say the BFG's. I have been really impressed with the ones on my wife's Durango.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
9/13/2001
11:14:04
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
OK. I went to grab my camera to take some snaps of it, and noticed the abttery wasn't in it. (It had a small accident with my sone a few months ago and was barely holdin together - but it was workin). Anyeways, it's a faaaaairly expensive Nikon I got in college, and just aint in a position to replace it, but I tihnk today I will go grab a cheap point and click from Ritz and get those printed and scanned by Sat ;-)
They're a' comin...
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Airborne
Dodge Dakota
9/14/2001
18:20:54
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Waiting for the pics Mike. I gotta see everyone elses before I attempt to start mine, that way I will know what I am in for. Kinda like the passing of the torch, ya know.
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
9/14/2001
21:50:09
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
I hear ya. I should be picking up a camera tomorrow, and the pics will be done on Monday. Then I'll scan 'em Monday night after work and post them on my yahoo account. I'll get the link up here too when they're ready.
I think the body lift was a fairly easy project. It was the first time I had done anything like that. The manual pretty much warns you of everything you need to watch out for.
1) Brake lines on the drivers side
2) Automatic Tranny wires
3) Transfer Case Linkage
4) Let's not forget our tire hanger
5) Some ground wires under the hood
6) Steering extension
7) Fan shroud trimming
8) Disconnect gas tank from bed.
I think it is good to have a second person around. That way, they can look under the hood and watch it go up. Maybe a third to look at the brake lines on the driver's side. There are a few things mounted to the body under the hood that are still connected to the engine and firewall, like the A/C and airbox. I am also gonna look into a longer radiator hose like Hawkeye. I raised mine pretty slow, and although a little nerve racking, I didn't break anything and the end result is very nice. Just make sure to take it for a spin around the block, make sure everything electrical is working, the parking brake is ok, steering, etc. Then go and tighten it all down again and give it another walk-around, checking flex where there should be.
MikeC
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
08:23:14
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
OK. A couple pics are up on yahoo. I'll post more when we get a sunny day up here. (One is kinda hard to see the wheel wells/tire location).
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/nhronin1972
MikeC
2001 4.7 CC SLT
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
10/14/2001
08:41:05
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
Looks great Mike. Now you just need to get some new shoes on that bad boy and your ready to go. Since yours is an 01 did you run into anything that didnt work right? Reason I ask is because when Blizzard had his done they told him they had to do a little "fabrication" on a couple of things. Just trying to figure out what it might have been that was different than the 2000's like mine.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
http://johnammons.tripod.com/home.html
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
21:02:49
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah,
The steering extension was a pain in the a$$. It was so tight to get onto the steering box, and the outer tab that connected to the steering shaft had to be ground down to fit.
I have the electric transfer case, and didn't see the need for the extension, so that is another dif between the 00's and 01's.
Lastly, mine is an automatic, and the kit instructions said to watch the automatic transmisssion wires, but mine had plenty of flex.
I guess the only thing they would have had to work on is the steering extension. But with the right tools, it should have only taken about 15 minutes to alter. Bumpers went back on fine with the new brackets, and the gas tank hoses both still reached after the bed was up. Maybe they tried to tack on some fees in those areas?
As for tires, I had my eye on some BFG's but I am trying to hold on til spring when the (3")? suspension lifts are out. Then maybe stuff some 35's on and some new gears.
I also had a quick Q for ya Hawk...Do you know where to get something to extend the wheel wells, like some shields to keep stuff off the engine?
Thanks,
Mike
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TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
23:29:34
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
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Message:
Don't mean to post before you Hawk... but you can get some Lift Lips from 4wheel.com.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/product2.asp?imseqn=1555&occlass=LIP&cat=BOD
They look a little pricey for me so I might make my own. Although, I'll probably just get lazy and buy them. ;-)
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TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
10/14/2001
23:31:36
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
Oops... I meant 4wheelparts.com
Hehe...
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
10/15/2001
09:06:32
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
Yeah 4 Wheel Parts is the place to get the lift lips. I still need to get them myself. Tallquad, I have heard people say they made their own too. If you come up with an easy (and cheaper) way then let us know. Mike, I wonder what the diff in the steering extension could be. I didnt have any trouble at all with mine. Slid right on with plenty of room. I knew you wouldnt need the transfer case extension with the elec switch you guys have. I hope they didnt stiff Blizz for some $$.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
http://johnammons.tripod.com/home.html
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MikeC
Dodge Dakota
10/15/2001
11:16:54
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
TallQuad,
Thanks for the Lift Lips info. I'll be checking them out.
Hawk,
That steering extension was really tight for me. Kinda strange, since I would think there is no diff in the 2000's and 2001's steering box. Maybe it is the tolerances in that kit's manufacturing, but I had to wedge that sucker open and hit it with a hammer to get it on box. Grinding the other side for the steering wheel wasnt aprob, but I'll tell ya, I made up a few new words that day.
I hope they didn't soak Blizz either :-(
'01 CC 4X4
4.7 3.55
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/nhronin1972
(new webiste coming soon)
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
10/15/2001
12:06:25
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
Looks good, Mike! Nicely done!
I guess if I got took, I got took. Was still worth the price I paid to have it done. To this point I'd done all the work to my truck myself ... thought it was time to help out the economy and pay someone to do something ;o)
I have confidence they did a good job and felt pretty good about the new tires on the dunes last weekend. Spent the majority of the time riding the Raptor, but the Mickey's bit well in the sand on the few "smaller" hills I climbed. Didn't feel really good about climbing test hill with the quad strapped in the back! :o)
Anyway, before I get any more off topic, congrats again Mike!
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
http://shakin-notstirred.tripod.com
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
10/15/2001
14:51:53
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm sure your shop did a good job, I just hate the thought that someone might have wanted to stiff you an extra few bucks, thats all. As long as your happy with it then thats all that counts.
By all means, get off subject. It has been SO quiet in here the past few days I was wondering if everyone just up and left.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
http://johnammons.tripod.com/home.html
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Blizzard
*GenIII*
10/15/2001
17:03:38
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
No mod money for a day or two, so I'm tapped out on new posts! lol
We did have fun on the dunes Saturday ... too bad it rained us out. 4 hours drive time - 2 hours play time. Still not a bad trade off! ;o)
'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
http://shakin-notstirred.tripod.com
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Hawkeye
*GenIII*
10/15/2001
18:34:40
| RE: MikeC's Body Lifted 2001
IP: Logged
Message:
That stinks. Should have just strapped the Raptor in the back good and tight and just had fun in the truck anyway.
'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
http://johnammons.tripod.com/home.html
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