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torch
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2002
15:43:16
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 Subject: 2wd lift kit
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i was looking for a lift kit for a '96 clubcab 2wd dakota. I was hoping for about 4-6". so far i have only been about to find coil spring spacers.
does anyone have any ideas?
also i was wondering if any one has any thoughts on how to lift the rear. the axle sits on top of the leaf springs so i can't use blocks. i can't think of anything, short of having the leaf springs arched or maybe fliping the axle, but i don't know how safe that would be.
any ideas on either subject let me know.
thanks
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2002
19:05:57
|  RE: 2wd lift kit
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Hi there. I have a 1990 so this info is strickly from what I have read and heard from others, no personal expierence. However, I know you can get a 3in lift kit from Aim or truckinsuspension.com. This lift has larger coils springs, new upper A amrs, and shackels/hangers for the rear. I have dealt with them before and they seem to have good products. Then you can get a 3in body lift from Perf. Accessories or Trailmaster. Then you have 6inches of lift and can probably run 31-32 inch tires.
Hope this helped. You can also get a sawsall and cut the sheet metal back around the front fenders (mainly the rear of the front just before the doors) cuz that is where your clearence problame will be, I guarentee. Hope this helped. ANy thing else, just ask. Later.
Joe E.
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Greg
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
10:49:59
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Fabtech sells a 3" kit for around $800. that with
blocks should get you around 6" of lift. as for
flipping the rear axle, its safe. all fullsize
trucks are under the leaf springs. that'll get you
a few inches too. you can buy a flip kit from jsut
about anywhere. you should be able to run 32" at
least. I have a 2000 and i'm looking to do all the
same things. if i find anything else i'll let you
kn
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
12:20:37
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Fabtech doesnt sell a kit for GenIIs. They only do the 97-99 and maybe the 2000-2002. I have never heard of a 91-96 Fabtech lift.
Dont want to sound cras but you cant use lift blocks on the front of a Dakota. With our rack and pinion steering, we can only go up 3in with out some type of R/P relocating system.
I also have heard, not expierenced first hand but, heard that flipping the rear axel give us Daks 7 inches of lift. Way too much for what we can do to the front right now. Best to get a add-a-leaf, lift shackles, hangers to get the combo you want.
Myself, I have a 2in susp. on the front. In the rear, an 1.5 in add-a-leaf and a 2in lift shackle. It looks nice and my truck is level now.
Research, Research, Research.......
Hope this helps.
Joe E.
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
12:23:54
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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In reviewing the orgional post, Torch has a 2wd. Lift blocks will not work on the front period. That is only for basic 4x4 trucks with a solid axle. Our Daks all have IFS if I am not mistaken. That is why we have few lift options and only those are small because lifting us is very complex and time come consuming.
Joe E.
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Mike
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
14:14:43
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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On Gen II trucks (inlcuding 1996) 4x4 models had the leaf springs mounted on TOP of the axle, using the same springs as 2wd models. Relocating the springs would give you a lift equal to the diameter of the axle- 3", and as safe as your stock ride.
And noone makes anything to lift the front end of Gen I and II trucks except elongating the coil springs, which add stress to the front suspension.
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Greg
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
20:47:28
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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sorry failed to read all of the facts that'll
teach me to answer questions at 4am. sorry
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
23:15:00
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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On 2wd GenI II, the leafs are under the rear axel. And you must remember the "Seat" or what ever the thing that sits between the leaf and axel is. Its not only 3 ins for us 2wd ers.
Joe E.
And doing a 3in coil lift is not bad as long as you install new upper arms too.
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torch
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2002
16:46:50
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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thanks guys. that info helps. i wiil keep you posted
torch
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BRETT
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2003
14:07:15
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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I AM LOOKING FOR A 2-4" LIFT KIT FOR MY 1996 DODGE DAKOTA. IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT , THANK YOU
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stealwings582
GenIII
6/04/2003
15:58:28
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Fabtech should have what you want and they're not too bad a kit either.
Wouldn't want any other!
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
01:45:24
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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hey you guys are ya looking to lift it or to have a prerunner front suspenion? if your looking to just lift your dakota then go with fabtech. now if your wanting to get a prerunner front end ya need to call Glenn at GR Fabrications (the phone # is (619) 691-0327). this guy can make a set of upper and lower arms and a set of spindles for $3,200 (all chrom molly). you'll be sitting 8" wider also without the spindles. Glenn told me that with the spindles it's in the range of 9-10" wider than stock. if your also wanting to change your bolt pattern he can modify a ranger, f150, ect.. spindles like it was nothing into it. here's an example of what he's able to do: go to http://www.jordansrealm.com/ then on the left sides of the screen click on "Jeremy - Dodge" it's a 97-00 2wd dakota with 35's! yes 35'!!! well it's just a sugestion. if ya have any questions shoot me a email.
josh
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
01:55:35
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Thanks man. Where is this guy out of? And does he do anything for older Gen I dakotas 2wds? Thanks for the link and info.
Joe E.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
02:11:54
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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i believe he's out of CA. he has a dakota jig alreday so he can do the custom fab and then send it to you. the only thing is that you have to 1) buy he coilover shocks 2) get a fab shop or you have to flatten the frame. hey i was just thinking maybe this guy could be "the one" to do the lift spindles for ya! he said to me that a set of 3" lift spindles for a ranger go for around $700-$800. and him and i were talking about doing a dakota lift spindle it would be like a 3" lift and the stock rack and pinion would still be used. and my dakota threw out this whole process would still be in NC and not in CA! hmmmmm?? i guess get to calling him, and if ya are serious about the spindle issue GIVE HIM A CALL! he should b able to fab a spindle to bolt right into Fabtech upper arms. any more questions just post them or email me (Prerunnerdak@aol.com).
josh
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
02:23:33
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Thats the thing tho. Fabtech doesnt make anything for my truck. Its a 1990 2wd. They only make susp systems for the 1997 + daks. I will certainly give him a call about theose spindles. If he could fab up a set of 3in lifters that blt to stock arms, or even if I had to get the AIM upper amrs, I totally be in line for a 700-800 dollar set. There are no options out there for us 1987-1990 dak people. If you have some influence with him, maybe hed be more willing to talk about that stuff with you. But Ill try for sure in the next few days. Again, thanks
Joe E.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
02:33:06
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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DUDE!!!!! stay the F*ck away from AIM!!!!!! dude if your going to spend your hard earned cash on ur truck do it right then gt him to fab some arms for you! the only thing is though it might set you back about $1500. but dude you be able to beat the hell out of then and not have to worry about them snaping or bending, becuase he does tube arms and tube that's renforced by a chrome molly box. trust me dude i think if those guys in the desert that beat the hell out of their trucks trust this guy and his arms that it's got to be good and i talked to him myself and he knows his *hit. but please don't go with AIM!!!! i beg you not to support their biz, you'll get ripped off.
your dak deserves better.
josh
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
11:13:32
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Message:
Yeah dude I know they have alot of problems. But truckinsuspension is the only co. that makes anything for our older daks. The main reason I havent done it yet is cuz no one can say that its been put on a dak and it works.
What Id love to do is get a set of spindleslifted 2.5-3.5in. I was real close to dropping $450 of a 3in coil lift from TS.comjust to get 1 more oinch of lift! I have a 2in spacer and I hate them. Everytime my front end goes in the air or is hit hard, I fear the things will pop out. But if I could get a set of spindles, that would lift my truck 3in, Id be willing to go up to about $700 right now. Im in college so money isnt real easy to get ahold of. I would need arms or anything, just the spindles. What do you think? Thanks
Joe E.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
17:51:05
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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well dude i'm about to call glenn for you. and i'll let you know what he can do for you Gen I & II guys. whish me luck. haha (naw i have a good feeling about this).
josh
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
18:08:29
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Message:
well dude he wasn't there but he's supose to be giving me a call back i'll keep you informed. hey, check this out i'll ask him what he could do for a group buy on 2wd lift spindles on Gen I, II, & III Daks if anyone is interested. but isn't the Gen I & II suspension the same? i need this info before i shoot this deal by him.
josh
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
20:05:06
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Yeah I am pretty sure the 2wd Gen I and IIs are the same. Ill check around to be sure. I need to call him too. But I dont have long distance at my apartment. So its a bit of a pain. get a phone card or something. But I really appreciate your help man. Thanks and I hope to hear good news from you soon. Thanks
Joe E.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/10/2003
23:24:53
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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i'm so sorry dude i honestly forgot to call him back. i'll call again tomarrow PROMISE!! once again i'm sorry.
josh
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
00:27:37
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Hey dude, chill...
I appreciate your help in contacting this company. Any help you can give me is a plus dude. Again, thanks for your help Josh.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
16:53:31
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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He ya'll. Ive been gone for a while on the board but im back. I remember contacting AIM a while ago and they said if they got 100 people to buy it theyd make a spindle for the Gen II Dakotas, and im not sure if he said Gen I or not. Ill go check and see if its still in my email but if not all i can say is if everyone starts emailing and they realize that there is a large demand for a lift for the Dakotas they might make one.
Joe E, just in case you care i did much improvements on my truck while gone from the board. I took off all the plastic molding and the front lower valance. It's still the same height but its got an awesome sound system and dual exhaust. Have a good one.
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/12/2003
17:23:03
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Nice man!, good to hear from you after so long. So you got all the plastic off huh? Id like to see what it looks like. I was just thinking the other day about pulling the lower front valence off. Was a bit worried about what would be exposed if i did. Probably nothing but I know it has a fin on the bottom to force air up to the radiator. any problems with that? Hope not. I have redone my interior. Alot of the plastic stuff is blue flake now. I like it. Alot different than the black it was. Check it out.... http://www.sounddomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=355527
Well, good to hear from you. Check on that Gen I and II suspension thing. I think they are all the same. Later buddy.
Joe E.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
23:00:16
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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well jeff i have to call him back tomarrow. but check this out. hehehe (with a evil grin). i think i might have talked him into more than what we were hoping for. he stated that the spindles would not bolt up to the stock arms. then i asked about a fabtech arm and he was not really all into interchanging parts with his and other companies. so that basically left me cratching head. (then the brainstorm happened!) well then i asked what about this : how about you (glenn) make an a arm set up, upper and lower, in conjuction with a spindle lift and at the same time using the stock spring or a aftermarket lift spring. he responded with two question. 1) would it be just a spindle lift? 2) don't other companies make that lift? i told him no i would want a spindle and an a arm lift, and for the other question was no. fabtech only makes a upper arm & coil lift that's it if you don't add AIM. he started laughing after i made that comment. he more aless told me that AIM isn't a company it's a rip off. then i thought we got disconnected becuase (i guess) he had to think about it. i beggan to think that he wasn't going to do, so i told him that i know of at least 100 people that should buy a kit like this if he made it. i think that got $$$ apearing in his head (hahah god i'm so mean). anyways he told me that i would have to call him back Friday so he could think about it. so dude we might have a foot in the door. he also has to find out why no one else is making a spindle lift for us before he jumps into it. but hey at least he's interested into doing it unlike Fabtech, AIM, or any other pussy a$$ fab shops. oh by the way, this lift would be for Gen I-III. i'll keep everyone in touch. just think for the guys that just want to go as high as you can 3" a arm lift, 3" spindle lift, 3" coil lift, 2"-3" body lift, and you might be able to squeeze a 2" coil spacer also (doubtfuly but hey i can hope, right?), so we're looking from somewhere around 11"-14" of lift. wow! that would be nice, huh?
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2003
00:19:04
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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what's up josh ????? If I read this correct , you're talking about a a arm and spindle lift ????? You can't put a sapcer on the spring because all you'll do is compress the spring and not get anymore height , and plus you're truck will ride on the top stops ............... The spindle will give you 3" and the arms plus spring willl give 3" ( fabtech ) , so you're talking about 6" lift , not 11 or 14 ........I would definately be interested in having 6" without body , there's gotta be something , why doesn't fabtech make it ????? Also what about the lower control arms ????? Even if we had a spindle lift , we wouldn't get the travel out of the front end it will just sit 3" taller , it would basically ride like the fabtech 3" taller .........The thhing is to get travel , I wonder what dwishear did to his truck , looks like he widdened the front to get more travel , and left the spindle stock ......I know a guy that has a durango done and he used heim joints and welded an extension on the spindle to get 3" and has custom arms and king coilovers ......did you ever see pics of the durango ??????? I'll send you some .........
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2003
00:42:18
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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First off you could get 6in of lift up front. (3 coils/3spindles) and a 3in body lift making it 9 Inches of lift. Now were talking a decent set up.
With the replacement a arms, you could design in a set up with more flex. They would simply have to be wider than the stock arms, and have a shape to curve around the frame, unlike the stock arms that are flat and hit the frame easily.
With the spindles, it is a true 3in of unchanging lift. It wouldnt effect ride quality, suspension travel, or anything else except lift. So you will have the exact same ride quality and flex if you went with the coil/arm 3in lift alone, or if you went with the coil/arm/spindle 6in lift combined.
Now for the gen I II and III thing. Gen I and II 2wd suspensions are most likely the exact same or very minor differences. Basically the only things that changed between the 2 Gens were the front end body, and the avaliability it a stock V8. But the Gen III is another idea. They have a newer suspension system tha I am not real familiar with. But I do know major changes were made between 1996 and 1997. So a single lift that would run on all 3 at the same time is very unlikely.
And Id like to say again, the GenI and IIs DONT have a fabtech lift avaliable. Only the Gen IIIs or 1997 to now daks.
Finally the fabers statement about the spindles not bolting up to stock arms??? Not so sure about that. Spindles by desin are simply a shaft change in the stock spindle. This means that a stock spindle is REdesigned with the wheel shaft simply 3in lower than before. They should bolt right up to all arms, brakes, and steering systems in stock form.
josh, I hope you can get this Glenn to make a lift for our trucks. Id be in line off the bat to buy one. But itd have to be at least a spindle lift for the Gen I or 1987-1990 2wd daks. Or a combo spindle and coil/arms lift. Thanks for your help. does this shop have a web site? Later. Maybe this cleared up some stuff.
Joe E.
ps not to be hard headed or anything, but I have talked to alot of people about 2wd susp lift including coils/arms/and spindles. The system can be done, it just needs someone willing and capable of designing it.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2003
03:45:30
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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ok i guess i have alot of explaning to do huh?
ok 1st off lets take care of rivermaniac. honestly dude, i wasn't even thinking when i put the deal with the coil spacer idea down. your correct about that. once again i just got caught up in the moment. sorry everyone for the bad info. as for the lower a arms for THOSE KIT(S) i talked to him about, they would contain upper, lowwer a arms, & spindle. the suspension that dwishear has is about the same as this guy's suspenion, but the difference is 1) it would be tubed a arm that are boxed for added strengh & 2) it's all made out of chorm molly. but i'm not promising that it would be that wide. ya have to uderstand that dwishear's suspension was built with his wantings and likes in mind, so a mass produced product would have to be in the middle of what everyone wants. but if you want what dwishear has then plan on spending in the range of $5,000 - $8,000 for your front end set up. (please trust me on this i've been bugging the west coast shops for about 1 1/2yrs to 2 yrs now. trying to find "the best bang for the buck" deal). and yes i've seen that durango. i havn't heard to many good things about that fab shop that did the suspension set-up on it. i also called them to find out if they still had the "jig" for those a arms that it had and they stated to me that they did away with jig several months after it was done. BTW the fab shop was BK Fabworks.
2nd now on to the famous Jeff (haha). ok dude this is what it boils down to man. the descusion between gleen and myself was mainly directed toward the Gen I & II for the simple fact of that there is NO real lift for ya. trust me dude i have three friends that are wanting to do the same as you, and tired of hearing them *itch about not having a lift. so, if not for ya to get a lift out i want it to shut them up. haha. now, for the spindle issue the reason why it would not bolt directly up to the stock arms is becuase of the heim joints that it uses. and for him to do it so we could bolt it up to stock arm it would cost him twice as much, becuase it's a 180 degree turn from what he's doing now. remember like i told you before he has to do some research on the reason why no one is doing the spindle lift for us. then he will go from there.
if i missed any of ya's questions please ask again and i'll try to answer them but if ya want to hear it from the horse's mouth give gleen a call. once he notices that there more intrest besides from me and a couple of local guys he might not even consider us without us paying a arm and a leg for what we want. so in a sence help me so he can us (i hope that came out right, if not i hope ya understand).
josh
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2003
12:30:56
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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I think I get what your saying. About how much $$$ are we looking at here? Not anything like 3,000 right? I will be inline real quick if he does get a kit out. It would be better for him if he would set up the kit with a 3in coil lift including the arms, and a 3in spindle lift. That would make it more appealing to most of us. For only a 3in lift when installing new amrs and spindles isnt a real inticive package because for less than 150 buck you can get a 2in spacer. So A 6in system would probably sell alot more. Also for the body lift haters out there it would allow them to run 31x10.50s easily with out a body lift. For people like me who want atleast 33s, we could get a body lift and go up with the 33s. Itd been awsome. Thanks for your help Josh.
Joe E.
By the way, I talked to your wife today on MSN messenger. Saw a message saying that I was added to someones messenger list. So I asked who it was and after a few circles, asked if this ladys husband had a Dakota. She said YES, hes trying to make it a Prerunner. I was like OOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKKK. I know who this is. It was funnny! Later
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stealwings582
GenIII
6/13/2003
12:34:59
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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If this ever comes about for a Gen III, keep us informed. My understanding from Fabtech is that they won't do the spindle thing because it's has a different geometry and it won't work. But if someone made at least the upper and lower a-arms, that would be very sweet. I don't like the lower a-arms on these trucks anyway. It seems it wouldn't be that hard to at least do the numbers for the angle of the lower a-arm and put together a tube frame that'll work. I know the cradle system is close to this idea but that includes the steering unit also. Just to ask josh, is this guy out of Riverside? I think he's the one that did the cradle for the Durango 2wd lift.
Wouldn't want any other!
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josh
Dodge Dakota
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6/13/2003
16:46:50
| RE: 2wd lift kit
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Ok, first and for most. i need to apologize to JOE and not jeff. dude i can be such a dumba$$ sometimes. lol
dude i know what your saying joe. trust me dude, i'm really hoping this guy would answer the phone now, becuase my friends keep calling and asking "did you call him yet?" after i tell them that he won't answer the freakin phone, they hang up on me. so trust me i hope he'll do this for ya. here you go joe. this is your way of helping me to get this guy to do this for ya. seem how almost all the reg's that come here know you. make a post asking for all Gen I-III to call this guy and bug the F*CK out of him by aking him to build these lifts. just copy and paste all the info from my earlier post. btw my wife she a complete airhead (worst than me). hahaha
as for you stealwings582 what cradle system and what durango are you talking about? the black durango with the prerunner front suspenion? if so this guy isn't the one that did it and it was a 4x4 not 2wd. it just didn't have the front axles in. so in a sence i don't believe it's the same guy that your thinking of.
josh
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