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cyrjm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/31/2006
15:31:25
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 Subject: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Ok, just got my 3 inch body lift (170 shipped...stoked) but I have a few questions before I install. I've read several posts all day today regarding the install and it seems like I can takle it myself. However, I only have handtools and not many at that. Going through the instructions I think I got all the basics I need but is there anything else I might want to be prepared with? I've read that I can cut the shroud in the truck without having to drain and take out the radiator...true? I don't have a dremel tool though...cut it with a knife?
Also, I have a cold air intake and looking at the fender it looks like I won't be able to use it anymore unless I modify it. If I just cut the tube I'm thinking I can make it fit but I was wondering if anyone has any ideas?
This looks intimidating but I think I can do it...I do a lot of work on my truck that I can.
Thanks,
jc
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360Quadcab
GenIII
1/31/2006
16:14:17
|  RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Just installed mine on my quadcab, it was easy. Took about 4 hours. I would make sure you have atleast one helper. I removed the lower half of the shroud instead of cutting it. Didn't have to lengthen my lower radiator hose, either. I have a cold air intake also, but we machined a spacer out of aluminum at my shop to make it fit.
285/75 BFG AT KO's, 3" PA, TB's cranked, 2" blocks, duals, clear corners, billet overlay, K&N FIPK
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Bucket
GenII
1/31/2006
18:52:08
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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I think you will be ok if you got a jack to get the body and bed to go up,also it might take a little elbow grease to get the old bolts out,i think the instructions will tell you to do one side then the other,dont take all the bolts out at the same time or it gets pretty tough to set it all back in place, other than that i think you can tackle it even with just the basic tools.Cutting the shroud might take more than just a knife and keep an eye on your steering shaft cause it gets stretched to the limit.I dont have a cold air intake so i cant help ya there.
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cyrjm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/31/2006
19:48:41
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Bucket...the steering shaft...you obviously put the extension on right? Even still it was stretched to its limit?
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Bucket
GenII
1/31/2006
19:55:15
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Well you see i had a pair of JBL shorty headers installed prior to my body lift so when i went to lift it the steering shaft hit the header,so i bought a pair of Borgson u-joints and a length of steering stock and had to weld my own steering shaft that went around the headers,it was a real pain but it worked.so my old steering shaft was unusable.
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cyrjm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/01/2006
08:21:41
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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bummer...I know there's a place in conneticut that makes a nice, custom telescopic steering shaft for the dakota. i looked into it years ago because the joint on mine has some play in it when cranked full lock. also, the only piece i need to get welded in the lift kit is the transfer case connector? if that's the case i should take that off first and bring it down to a shop while i'm working on the rest of it?
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Bucket
GenII
2/01/2006
10:02:53
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Mines a 5 speed Manual so i didnt have to use that piece,but yeah that sounds like the way to go,run it in and have it welded while your working on the lift,the one thing i noticed about my steering shaft after i made it was my steering is stiffer than normal but over time it has loosened,hey cyrjm when you gonna get some pics up so we can see it lifted?
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cyrjm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/01/2006
17:46:03
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Hey bucket...thanks. I probably won't lift it for at least a few weeks. I'm heading to Moab in about a month and don't know if I'll have time to work on the rig before then. When I do I'll let you know and take some pics...I'll probably be posting here again with many more questions.
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Bucket
GenII
2/01/2006
19:41:58
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
Cool,nice talkin to ya cyrjm.
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cyrjm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/14/2006
16:44:02
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
Hey guys...I'm getting ready to install this baby in a few weeks but I have still some more questions. My initial concerns about doing this thing are gone...I went over the instructions yesterday while looking at my truck and I'm pretty confident. My little brother is coming out on vacation so he'll help and it won't take as long. My questions are:
Did any of you just take off the shroud fan and leave it off? If so, did you notice the truck running hot? Would I still have to go through the process of taking off the radiator? I'd like to avoid draining it if at all possible...I did notice that the lower rad. hose doesn't have a ton of slack which I guess would mean I'd have to take it off.
I looked at the ground connector on the passenger side firewall and noticed two braided wires along with a black wire grounded to this location. The braided wires don't have any slack at all...where else can I mount them?
Finally, when lifting either the cab or bed what was your technique? I've got two floor jacks...I'm thinking if I put a block of wood on each, pad it somehow and raise them at the same time on each side that'll do the trick. I read that you should only loosen each body mount bolt and not remove them. Seems like common sense...
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Justin
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/15/2006
20:17:56
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
Well it has been a while since i installed mine but here is my .02 cents.
I would suggest not just taking the shroud fan off, do it the right way and trim it. I would hate that to cause complications later.
Go ahead and drain the radiator, replace the hoses~~it's cheap and I know it takes some more time but later you won't have to worry about it
No suggestions on the wires i don't recall having any trouble there
I also can't remember but for some reason i think i lifted the bed first and then the cab? anyway, sorry i know i am not much help but i tried!
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cyrjm
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/14/2006
20:57:20
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
Ok boys, installed the lift last week. Had my little brother who was in town for a ski vacation help me...he had no choice ;)
Anyways, it took longer than expected so we broke it up into two nights...it was some prime Utah powder days so obviously we weren't going to work on it all day. Front bumper brackets suck...barely had enough hose to connect the fuel tank and filler neck (gonna lengthen that here in a few days). The radiator extension didn't fit so we had to get the piece at a local parts store but the radiator hose is way too close the shroud fan I think. Just curious...how close are yours?
I also haven't had the 4wd/transfer case linkage extended because EVERY 4wd shop in Utah is booked solid with everyone getting ready for the Easter Jeep Week in Moab coming up. Which, also means I won't be getting my new rims installed or my pre-runner bar installed anytime soon either. I'll then post some pics...I'm going to Moab within the month so hopefully I'll get some pics down there.
Thanks for all your comments and help!
JC
Park City, UT
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014x4Quad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/24/2006
21:58:04
|  RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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360Quadcab
I have given up on lifting my truck because I never liked body lifts. To much junk showing underneath. I have not seen an actual truck in my area. Your truck picture looks like the Dakota is relatively clean after the lift. Although I only have your one picture to look at.
What do you think of the lift now that you've done it? Can you send me some more pictures looking at it from both sides?
KW
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8banger
GenIII
3/24/2006
22:44:04
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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014X4Quad check here
360Quadcab's truck
03 Dakota 4X4 QC SportPlus 4.7L 3.55 LSD AWD
Superchipped, 2Chamber Flowmaster Dumped, K&N Drop-in, 2" Torsion/Blocks Lift
BFG AT/KO's 265/75/16
My 4X4's Baptism
65 Stang
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014x4Quad
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
3/25/2006
14:19:56
|  RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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8 Banger thank you for the good pictures.
My truck is very similar to this one...Stock wheels on BFG MT's, solid color, clear corners, TBars twisted to make it sit straight. That's why I was looking for some better shots to see the body lift. When I bought mine new I had every intention of lifting it and then I quickly found out the problems. Never been a body lift fan but this truck has such a nice body style....five years after buying it I still want to lift it....But keep it clean. The PA kit is the one to use?
KW
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Tex
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/05/2006
21:20:45
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
so you fellas are tellin me that they don't send all the parts to lift the truck ?? i am goin to buy a 2" body lift this week and install it myself ...is it worth it ?? i have a 94 dakota 4x4...please let me know . thanks ,Tex
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Tex
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/05/2006
21:26:22
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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goin to show it off when i git it lifted ... yall have a good night .Tex
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Bucket
GenII
4/06/2006
18:07:48
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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I'll tell ya this tex when i ordered my body lift they said it would come with bumper raising brackets and a coupler to extend my 4x4 shifter. when it came in guess what ....no bumper brackets and the coupler to extend the shifter was the wrong thread or size, but its all minor stuff that you can fix yourself...no biggie.
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Tex
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/06/2006
19:10:04
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
thanks bucket .. i really appreciate ya answerin me on this ...git back to yall when i git it installed and i'll have pictures. Tex
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Bucket
GenII
4/07/2006
19:33:26
| RE: Time for the Body Lift...a few ?'s first
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Message:
Cool i look forward to it, let us know how smooth or tricky it was and if you got shorted anything.
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