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jason
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2003
17:11:47
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 Subject: Best method to lift rear by 1-2"?
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I just installed a FabTech 3" lift kit for my 1997 Dakota 2wd. As part of the installation I put in the rear add-a-leafs to try to 'level' it out. I noticed a difference in the rear height, but it is still lower than the front and I don't want the 'leveled' look. I want it too look about stock, as it will not be sagging its' butt off when I load it down, but will be level then.
So, what are my options to increase the rear height by about 1-2 inches? Keep in mind I already have an add-a-leaf in there. Adding a second one won't do anything, will it? I don't want the rear another 4-6" higher, as that would make it a real pain to take my bike to the shop [91 Kawasaki Zephyr 750: about 525 pounds]. Thanks for any/all advice.
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SXT4ME
Dodge Dakota
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6/16/2003
19:04:07
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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You can go to your local spring shop and have them re-arch your springs.
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ramhead
DakotaEnthusiast
6/16/2003
21:37:47
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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You could also just try a 1 or 2 inch block if you axle is under your leafs.
TRUCK IT UP!
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4wDakota
GenIII
6/16/2003
22:44:49
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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For a 2wd, your only other option is to put in a longer shackle. Add a 2" longer shackle and you will get a 1" lift. Another add-a-leaf will raise your truck but it will ride like sh!t. Blocks will only lower your truck since the axle is over the springs.
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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JJ02QC
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
00:11:59
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Or you can replace the hangers to get 2". Go to www.truckin-suspension.com, they have hangers for the Daks.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
00:26:10
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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I had the same set up as you did..and wanted teh rear higher since it was actually lower than the front. I went with truckinsuspension's shackles that lifted the dakota 2 inches. ($55) I don't recommend these first because the company made em cheap. The grease points broke off one month after installation. Secondly, you get alot of axle-hop. It indeed lifted it 2 inches and i kept it that way just for the looks.
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noHop
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
01:05:30
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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roadmaster & small block.
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jason
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
01:21:27
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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NoHop,
I am clueless: the only thing I can think of is a 1960s/70s car with a 283-350 v-8 engine. If I just didn't get it, can you explain please?
Everyone else, thanks for the quick response. Chaximus, I do have a question: is it the shackles that were the problem, or the set-up? I was told today that I could get someone like GroundForce's lowering shackles and reverse them to get the 1-2 inches of lift, and this came from CST who used to make the lift shackles. If it is the set-up that is the problem, then I should avoid it. If it was just TruckinSuspension's product, then I should look into it?
Thanks again y'all.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
01:44:13
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Message:
It wasn't really truckinsuspension's product, i just mentioned my experience with their shackles since they fell apart. But for the setup, yeah, that' was the problem. The longer shackles allowed for more movement for the axle, and that caused alot of axle hop. I did look into getting traction bars but no one seemed to make any for the dakotas. Why dont u contact GroundForce and see what they say about axle hop with their product.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
01:45:19
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Message:
Oh by the way, i had bfg mud terrains and a locker in my rear. This definately affected the hop too.
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jason
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
01:56:20
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Actually, I have a set of Hellwig traction bars that I was going to install after I finished the lift and differential stuff. I found them for $60 at JCWhitney. I'll contact groundforce tomorrow about the hop issue. About the differential, I have BFGoodrich All-Terrains on [31s] and am thinking of an Auburn LS Differential. Would this be more/less likely to have hop, in general? Thanks for the quick update.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
02:01:24
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Well, as much as i know, traction bars eliminate axle hop, or at least prevents it 90% of the time so u should be fine with that setup. Alot of the older jeeps with leaf springs use traction bars since axle hop is very common with them.
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Xplaination
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2003
16:57:02
|  RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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roadmaster ACTIVE SUSPENSION & small LIFT block (1- 1.5"). The Roadmaster susp is excellent for load control & eliminating wheel hop and also lifts the rear susp of the truck when you install.
He-he, didn't think of the Buick Roadmaster/ small block angle good for a chuckle.
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jason
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2003
13:24:14
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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I just realized I don't have traction bars, but traction springs by Hellwig. Thanks for the info on the roadmaster/small block. It was puzzling me. But I am new to suspension stuff. From what I've been told, though, I can't use lift blocks because my springs are under the axle? Thanks again.
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chaximus
Dodge Dakota
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6/18/2003
14:00:56
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Right, leafs under the axle can't be used with blocks since it will just lower it. U could flip it but that'll gain like 7 inches or so.
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Homerish
Dodge Dakota
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6/19/2003
01:24:13
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Doh, sorry didn't notice the 2wd. Good luck.
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JJ02QC
Dodge Dakota
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6/21/2003
15:54:14
|  RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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Message:
Jason,
I have the 2" Hangers from truckinsuspension.com for the Dak. I have the Fabtech 3" and the rear sits just slightly lower than the front and I wanted the rear a little higher. I ordered them and so far have been too lazy to put them on. Now I am planning on selling my Dak so if you are interested in the hangers let me know. Here is the link to see what they are:
http://www.truckin-losangeles.com/product.asp?returnURL=default.asp&ID=22709
They were $119 plus shipping for total $130. If you want them you can have them for $80 plus shipping, proabably $5-10. Email me if you are interested, they are brand new. jjinsc1@dslextreme.com
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jason
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2003
00:37:36
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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JJ02QC, thanks for the offer. I may take you up on it, but can't do anything until I get paid next month and figure out if this 'fix' will do it. I just got a pair of shackles that may do the job, but will be installing them tomorrow to find out for sure. If they don't, you'll hear from me next month!
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jason
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2003
18:03:38
| RE: Best method to lift rear by 1-2
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I just installed a set of shackles and I'll keep you all posted: they brought the rear end up about 1 inch at the shortest hole. For anyone interested, they were rear drop shackles for a chevy, made by Ground Force. I think the part number was 15257. I am not sure if that is GroundForce's part number or the lift shop that I bought them from. They were for a 88-98 Chevy C-1500/2500. The measurements and fit were perfect. Now I just have to drive with them to see how well they hold up. More later on a different thread, after some wear and tear.
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