Message: Can you guys that installed the new Rancho lift for our 2000 plus trucks give me some numbers on how much extra ground clearance you gained?? Any change in flex/articulation?? I actually have a 2000 Durango. Does the Dakota have a rear sway bar like my Durango? Would disconnecting that sway bar give any extra flex from the rear and improve off road traction by keeping the axle on the ground?? Thanks for any info.
Message: I had to measure since I had only measured as instructed in the installation instructions.
I have a little over 18" of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the frame in the center of the truck (where the door handle is). I measure 41.5" to the bottom of the fender flares with my 33's on. My torsion bars are up a some.
I agree with 2thextrm that the ride is better on road. I think the off road flex and articulation is Awesome.
Here I will give you some links to some flex video shot the day after the lift was installed.
I have before and after video.
Before lift. Please note that the squealing is my brakes in the video not rubbing. We had just come from some serious water holes and were covered with mud. I am running 33x12.5x15 MT in the first set of video.
http://claycdbj.com/hart122004.mpg
http://claycdbj.com/hart122000.mpg
http://claycdbj.com/hart122001.mpg
After lift running 32's on AE 589 borrowed rims.
http://claycdbj.com/liftart01.mpg
http://claycdbj.com/liftart02.mpg
I need to get video with the 33's on after the lift.
Check my link for all of my lift info and photo's and video.
Chris
Never late for a Tee time or wheelin with my buddies! Always ready for both!!!
Message: Chris, thanks very much for the reply. 2thextrm referred me to your link and I did check it out. Your truck looks great. I really appreciate the time you took to document the install. I just didn't see on your link about ground clearance. I was particularly interested in the clearance up front. Do the Dakotas have a rear swaybar?? If so have you disconnected it?? A couple times on the trail my limited slip diff didn't work as well as I thought a LSD should. I was thinking if I disconnected the swaybar that would keep the axle on the ground providing better traction. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again.
Message: Chris,
Thanks for the additional info. The front of my Durango is low. I'd be pleased if I could get more than a foot of clearance up front. Disconnecting the rear swaybar may have a more profound effect on the Dakota since it is lighter at the ass end than my Durango. I would think that extra weight would help keep my axle on the ground. I'll experiment and let you know how it turns out. On my Jeep I just took the swaybar off altogether since it's not a daily driver.
Subject: Rancho 2k+ lift...net gain
