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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/09/2003
13:54:09
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 Subject: Rancho 3" lift install
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any one done it themselves? I should get mine next week and I'm looking for tips/tricks..
thanks..
www.magnumdakota.com
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Cuffy
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
05:17:46
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Good luck misato. I've posted 4 comments on as many threads and started my own thread on this very subject with no replies. Either anyone who has a rancho has had it professionally installed or they're not talking.
I'm getting a rancho in April and I'd like to put it on myself. But so far I've got no response from this forum. I think that most on here would probably tell us to have the pro's handle it... We'll see...
Cuffy
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
10:24:04
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I've searched the archives and didn't come up with much.. someone has to have done it.. I'll post pics and comments on my site after I do it. If it gets here this week, I'll do it this weekend.
www.magnumdakota.com
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McCracken
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
11:09:56
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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If you are talking about the 97-99 lift the instructions are on the Rancho website. The 2000+ instructions aren't there yet.
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
14:42:09
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I just wanted to know if anyone has done it, and if they ran into anything. sometimes those instructions need some "other" mods.. sledge, prybar, torches, plasma cutter, etc..
8o)
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Christopher
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
16:07:21
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I wouldn't count on any help like that here. I've already been through it. Don't bother.
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scott
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
19:18:38
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Yea , no one here really helps people out. If they knew something to make a job easier , they would keep it to themselves :) .
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
20:46:15
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I see. well, I'll post all my findings and pics when its done. hopefully this weekend.
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conig
Dodge Dakota
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2/10/2003
21:12:01
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I think people on here are very helpful, how many people do you know on here with a rancho lift kit? how many 2000 plus? ya'll are the pioneers.
just cause people don't really know the anwser doesn't mean there not helpful. If I knew the anwser I'd help you. would you rather have a post with a couple replies or a bunch from people who don't really know what there talking about like some other forums.
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Cuffy
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2003
01:47:17
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I wouldn't say that the people on here are not helpful. I've gotten a lot of information on many other issues, just not this one. If the people here weren't helpful, I wouldn't bother posting.
misato- what year is your Dakota?? Mine is a 98 cc Sport. And I would definitely like to hear how you make out this weekend putting on your lift. Mostly I'm concerned with mods to existing parts. I don't have a welder or anything like that for extreme modifications.
Keep us posted!!
Cuffy
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
2/11/2003
07:38:30
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I just posted this on the Off-Road thread:
Hmmmm.... read through the install instructions briefly and here are some notes:
First, it appears to be a very well thought out kit with very good instructions and pictures.
I will say it seems like alot more cutting, drilling and enlarging of holes to making this kit not so easily removed and the vehicle returned to stock like I had thought. Oh well I guess it will have to stay with truck when it's time to upgrade to a newer model.
Suprisingly, for just 3" of lift, I noticed that the tranny gets lowered and you have to do some cutting off and drilling of the mounts to add drop brackets, I am not to fond of having tranny mounted to drop brackets instead of frame direct, not to mention mostly irreversible cutting being done. It would seem that since the tranny is attached to the engine this wouldn't work, maybe I am just reading it wrong? I am sure they must have had a good reason for lowering tranny? right? It is the first suspension kit I have installed that required lowering tranny, but it will be the first Dodge one I have done too. I am used to lowering front axle/diff, just not tranny lol.
I am still doing it myself, just guess it will take a little longer than I expected to install, better plan a weekend IF you have the right tools and place set up to do it, otherwise an extra day if you need to spend time running for stuff(shouldn't if you have instructions lol).
Flowmaster cat back w/15 inch chrome tip, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
3 inch body/1.5 inch Block Lift, 305 70-16 X-Terrains on AR Terons, Pro Comp ES9000's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6) Hella's, Manik Nerfs, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$
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Cuffy
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2003
10:47:18
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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2THEXTRM- what experience do you have with the Rancho for 97-99 Dakota's?? Did you happen to install one yourself on a previous truck?? Could you answer whether there is much modification needed to the truck to install one on a 98 cc sport?? Sorry to pester but I'd really like to get as much info before I undertake my install...
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forexfour
GenIII
2/11/2003
11:14:43
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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If the original post was more clear then we would have known what was really being asked. I guess we should have just assumed he was talking about the 97-99 Dakota's! Since those are the only ones available at this time.
It is unfortunate this site has come to this, bickering and whining cause there post was not answered but the question has been asked a million times.
This used to be a great site! Still has good posts but it is mostly the same old stuff.
Extreme,
Thanks for the input on the 2000 + install, I did see it on the Off road board. For some reason the Adobe file will not open for me.
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2003
11:21:24
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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mine is a 97 4x4 CC V8-auto w/3" PA body lift and 15x10's 33x12.50's
still no email from 4wheelsparts.com about a shipping date.. I see they did charge my card though..
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Cuffy
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2003
11:52:48
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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forexfour- I wasn't whining, just stating a fact. I've reading these boards for nearly 8 months and the one info on Rancho's I've seen were opinions on quality, not tips for installs. Although there are many tips for Tuff Country and various body lifts. If I brought up redundant questions, I apologize. But I've been researching very diligently to make sure I'm getting quality equipment, parts and advice. Don't be cross with us newbies, we're trying to learn the ropes. Please be patient.
By the way, I enjoyed your website.
Cuffy
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forexfour
GenIII
2/11/2003
12:23:15
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Misato,
Not sure why you would have to wait for a 97-99 Rancho Lift. I called 4 Wheel parts and they have them in there system and could have it here by Thursday.
I do not know anyone who is on this board anymore with the 97-99 lift.
Cuffy,
Sorry was not bashing, just stating the fact.
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!Forexfour's home
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2003
14:43:34
|  RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I was expecting a "shipped" email, but FedEx just called and are delivering a package tomorrow so it looks like this weekend is a GO!
I'll take lots of pics.. I have monday off too so that will be good. I think I do the back first.
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Kory
Dodge Dakota
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2/11/2003
20:55:44
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I have a 1998 Dak Sport with the 3" Rancho kit on it. And yes...I did the install myself over a couple of weekends.
There was a comment made previously about lowering the tranny on drop brackets. The tranny and transfer case in fact stay in the same position on the same factory frame mounts. Drop brackets are used for the front axle/IFS setup and the torsion bar mounts. The Rancho hardware is pretty beefy...I've had it on the truck for about two years, and no complaints from me.
Overall, I thought the directions were pretty good and the kit was complete, down to the bolts, nuts, and washers. I had very little trouble doing the lift myself. Air tools are a plus if you can get a hold of them! They'll save you a lot of knuckle scrapes and four-letter exclamations. I am a slightly above average do-it-yourselfer, and I thought the install went pretty smooth.
My advice would be to read the directions COMPLETELY straight through 2 or 3 times before you begin, and read through them as you look at the underside of the truck, so you're familiar with and understand the process ahead of time. TAKE YOUR TIME. Yes, there is some irreversible cutting on the front suspension...specifically the factory bumpstops/mounts, but if you go slow and do it right, you'll be fine.
Good luck! If you want, feel free to email me. I hope this was a help to somebody...just my 2 cents from my experience with the kit.
~Kory
1998 4X4 Dakota Sport, 5-speed, 3" Rancho lift, 33x12.5" tires
koryklismith@hotmail.com
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
2/11/2003
21:49:06
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Misato, sorry I posted install notes regarding the 00+ lift, you didn't specify what year Dak you had initially.
Cuffy, you'll see in my long winded post that my 01 Dak will be the first Dodge suspension lift I have done so sorry can't help you specifically with the 97-99 model years, looks like Kory has got u guys covered.
Kory, how did you seperate ball joints? The old fashioned way with boot tearing pickle fork? I am pretty sure I am upgrading to moogs anyway as long as the extra $160 is available at the time. The parts list includes a tool for seperating BJ, but it doesn't say how it works, not sure if it is a spreader type deal made specifically for our Dak front ends or what. your lucky that the 97-99 lifts do not require drop brackets for tranny, but I can tell you per the instructions for the 00+ lifts we have to:( Kinda cancels out the fact that we don't need to remove upper a-arm and use drop down brackets although having to tear down factory spindle to install new drop spindle will also take some extra time. So maybe this lift is a little more involved and time consuming than the 97-99 lifts, oh well. All in all, a small extra price to pay to be taller lol. I have read the instructions now a dozen times and highlighted all the points I have to watch out for as well as the couple tools I need to pick-up for smooth installation. I will prolly be adding Roadmaster Active Suspension at same time for a little extra rear lift and better rear drivetrain attributes since I will have the assend apart already. I am ready to rumble:)
Flowmaster cat back w/15 inch chrome tip, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
3 inch body/1.5 inch Block Lift, 305 70-16 X-Terrains on AR Terons, Pro Comp ES9000's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6) Hella's, Manik Nerfs, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$
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dakota matt
GenIII
2/12/2003
16:47:40
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Misato, If you do the lift please let us know how it went. I plan on doing the 3" Rancho when I move back to the states this summer and am hoping to do it myself.
MSD 6AL, SS blaster coil, 8.5mm wires, Accel cap and rotor, autolite 3923 plugs, K&N FIPK, 180 degree T-stat. Gibson single CAT-back, Carsound CAT, MOPAR PCM. Crower 1.7 RR's, F&B 50mm TB, M1 intake and turtle, Black Magic 150 electric fan, JBA ceramic coated headers, JBA Y-Pipe
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misato
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/17/2003
02:37:44
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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so my lift only has 2 inch blocks for the rear, anyone use 3"?? it took me about 12hr on sat and another 8 today to get that lift on. not too bad to do. I'll have pics up in the next day or so, I need to get another 1" out of the back though, so after paying 1600 for the lift/shocks/shock controls I have to go buy a set of blocks and throw the 2" out?? yes, I suppose I could lower the front to match the back..
I had stripped some threads on a tie rod, that wasted an hour, my rear xmember was pinched together and i had to do some massaging and bending to get to the torsion bar bolts, wasted another hour, the blocks in the rear didn't fit so I had to ream the center hole out so the bolt on the leaf springs would fit through, another wasted hour, and the driver side upper control arm assembly didn't want to fit so that took extra time also.
Just a bunch of little things I ran into that added extra time to it. all in all its not to bad to do in a weekend.. the instructions are good, a few more pics wouldn't have hurt. I also found my nut/bolt bags had extra in some or not enough misc nuts and washers in others.
I'm gonna try and find 3" blocks tomorrow and get an alignment. I ran out of time to put the in cab controls in for the shocks..
fun fun fun
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
2/17/2003
02:47:28
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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So you didn't have to lower the tranny then? I might just not do that step upfront unless I notice alot of driveshaft binding goin on to begin with, seems so uneccesary for 3" of lift.
Flowmaster cat back w/15 inch chrome tip, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
3 inch body/1.5 inch Block Lift, 305 70-16 X-Terrains on AR Terons, Pro Comp ES9000's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6) Hella's, Manik Nerfs, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$
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dakota matt
GenIII
2/17/2003
06:07:08
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Did you go with the Rancho RS9000X shocks? It sounds like you may have. I am planning on the same set up minus the body lift you already have on yours. Let us know how you like it. I am looking forward to doing mine this summer.
MSD 6AL, SS blaster coil, 8.5mm wires, Accel cap and rotor, autolite 3923 plugs, K&N FIPK, 180 degree T-stat. Gibson single CAT-back, Carsound CAT, MOPAR PCM. Crower 1.7 RR's, F&B 50mm TB, M1 intake and turtle, Black Magic 150 electric fan, JBA ceramic coated headers, JBA Y-Pipe
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2003
11:30:32
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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no, I didn't have to do anything to the tranny, if i was supposed to the instructions didn't say anything about it..
yeah I got the 9000's, I have to adjust them, right now they are too squishy...
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4wDakota
GenIII
2/17/2003
11:31:41
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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If you move up to a 3" block you'll need longer u-bolts. You can keep the rancho 2" block and put in an add-a-leaf to level it out a little more.
3" blocks will cause a lot of spring rap.
BTW if you plan on wheeling your truck a lot you can get a slip yoke eliminator for out t-cases. But you have to get a custom driveshaft.
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
3" Body Lift, 1" Torsion Bar Lift, 33" BFG A/T KO's
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2003
14:11:46
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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too late, I put the 3" in last nite. looks much better, the U-bolts are long enough for them..
here are some pics.. I'll have to get some better ones of the finished product..
http://www.magnumdakota.com/rancho/rancho.htm
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dkr8611
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2003
14:59:16
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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2THEXTRM, he's a pre-2000 Dak. Different kit. He doesn't need to lower the tranny. I'm sure they wouldn't have put it in the instructions unless there was some reason for it.
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2THEXTRM
GenIII
2/18/2003
15:32:57
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Misato, good pics, what brand 3" block did you end up using? Oh, did ya whack the torsion bar crossmember on a boulder or something? lol. Thank god for airtools, seems you had the right equipment to do the job. I am gonna add Tuff Country 3" rear blocks also after I found out from Rancho today it is only 2" with their kit along with a Roadmaster Active Suspension kit for even a little extra lift. I will prolly have to have custom lengthened u-bolts made again due to the thickness added by RAS kit.
dkr8611, I know he has a pre-2000 Dak and I have even contacted Rancho regarding lowering tranny because I cannot make sense of it yet. The tech I spoke with only said it is to decrease drive-line angle for vibration and wear... well, they only use a 2" rear block so I don't see the large benefit in placing your tranny 2" lower with front diff for increased vulnerability while off-road, the whole point of lifting truck is to keep as much undercarriage up away from ground by adding larger tires and this kinda defeats the whole point hacing both diff and tranny hanging down at near stock height from ground(not counting larger tires). I am already running a 1.5" lift block in the rear with no issues so the Rancho block is only .5" taller, if that's the case I am leaving my tranny where it is unless I find that I have no choice while installing the 3" block I will be ordering. I am sure that Rancho would not waste millions of dollars on R&D to throw these pieces into the kit without good reason, the instructions do not reflect the tranny lowering as "optional" in the instructions lol, but I am just looking at my options is all.
I have all this spare time to dream about my lifted Dak and tear apart the instructions line by line while I await the new lift ship date of 2/28/03. After all this planning and preparation I prolly have to end up installing the lift the way Rancho intended, just adding another 1" to the rear block.
Flowmaster cat back w/15 inch chrome tip, Volant Intake, Poweraid TB Spacer, Splitfire Plugs, full synthetic fluids
3 inch body/1.5 inch Block Lift, 305 70-16 X-Terrains on AR Terons, Pro Comp ES9000's
Grizzly double/single rollbar with (6) Hella's, Manik Nerfs, Line-X, Hard Work & $$$$$$$$$$
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Tx-Hop
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/18/2003
16:19:03
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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Nice misato!! Almost looks as good as my dak..;) lol
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4wDakota
GenIII
2/18/2003
17:20:11
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I don't know what the hell Rancho is talking about with the tranny, maybe the transfer case but the tranny can't be moved.
Extrm: The RAS is mounted on top of the leafs so it won't affect ride height. It will only affect the length of your u-bolts because the u-bolts will have to go over the extra 1/4". The RAS only affects the ride height of 2wd's
Misato, Awesome truck, love the color, Love the grill guard but I would have gotten it in chrome :) LOL
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
3" Body Lift, 1" Torsion Bar Lift, 33" BFG A/T KO's
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misato
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2003
17:41:31
| RE: Rancho 3" lift install
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I just got some from the local parts store, never heard of the brand and i dont remember what is was.
yeah, I must have hit something, you'd think it would have hit hard enough that I would remember it..
so get this, I went to goodyear yesterday for an alignment, eveything went ok, I pull out and go maybe 2 blocks to go get the 3" blocks, and when I hit the brakes I hear a "pop" sound from both side of the front end.. looked at it and didn't see anything. got to the house and had a freind look at the front while I rolled back and hit the brakes, the upper A-arms was moving back and forth in the slots on the rancho piece. I know I cranked em down, wouldn't they have had to adjust them for the caster/camber? I want to make sure before I yell at them..
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