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HawaiianDakot
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
01:55:34
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 Subject: Suspension Lift
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Hey, I wanted to lift my '02 Dakota to fit bigger tires, body lift is out of the question, so its gotta be asuspension lift, I saw a Fabtech 3" one for $800, then I saw a 2" Fabtech for $250, why such a big gap? is there something bad with the 2"? and also, I saw a Daystar Coil spacer, are those things anygood, will It hurt my truck in the long run?
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Texas97
GenIII
4/10/2002
02:26:07
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
The 3 inch Fabtech comes with new springs, shocks, and A-arms, that's why it is so much more expensive. Also with the 3 inch you have to change to a wheel that has 3.25 inches(?) of backspacing or less. This causes more expenses. The factory wheels wont work b/c they have 5 inches and the a-arms wont fit. I personnally like the 2" Fabtech and will get one as soon as money will allow. I think the only thing with the spacers is they will sag and wear over time. I think you can't beat new srings and performance shocks all the way around for $250. You kill two birds with one stone, shocks and lift!
Kick the tires and light the fires!
97 Dakota CC 3.9L 5 speed
Flowmaster 40 Deltaflow , K&N Home Brew intake, Autolite 3923's, 180 t-stat
Soon: 2" Fabtech Lift, No Cat, Electric Fan
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Jason
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
02:38:08
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
what is "backspacing?"
the 3" has a-arms while the 2" doesnt, are the a-arms important? what do they do?
and how big of a tires size do you think will fit with the 2" lift?
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
12:43:52
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Jason, yes they are inportant. Look on the front suspension. You see a "U" shaped thing that is connected in 2 places to the frame, and in 1 place to the spindle ( where the tire is). A Arms hold your front suspension on.
With our Daks, the arms can handle being lifted 2in without needing arms. With a lift, the arms loose wheel travel do to the suspenion being shovel down. With a 3in lift, the arms would hit the frame if they are not aftermarket and designed to fit right with a 3in lift. It is VIP to your ride my friend.
I have a 2in spacer lift and now wish I did a coil lift. The spacer is about 1 year old and are begining to sag. So I am loosing lift. With tires that barely fit after the lift, that is not good. I recomend spending the extra cash and getting coils that are 2in lifted instead of spacers.
Hawaiiguy, is your dak a 2wd or 4x4? If a 2wd, a mere 2-3 in of lift will not get you huge tires. Maybe a 32in tire. If you had a body lift, which I have and with NO problems, you could run real tires. And look lifted. Research these things in depth guys. It really makes all the difference. And talk to guys here who have your trucks and find what worked for them and what they have. Good Luck......
Joe E.
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HawaiianDakot
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
13:06:41
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
hey joe, I have a 2WD, is that what you have? what is the max in tires size, width and height, can I get with a 2" sus. lift?
And for the 2" suspension lift? they said that it only raises the front? is this correct?
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Texas97
GenIII
4/10/2002
14:30:19
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
They do, but you can get an add-a-leaf kit for very cheap which will support the curve of the rear springs and bring the rear up an inch or so. Pro-comp has a set for like 30 bucks.
Kick the tires and light the fires!
97 Dakota CC 3.9L 5 speed
Flowmaster 40 Deltaflow , K&N Home Brew intake, Autolite 3923's, 180 t-stat
Soon: 2" Fabtech Lift, No Cat, Electric Fan
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Super Bee
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
14:45:37
| RE: Suspension Lift
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what year is your truck HD?
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
4/10/2002
14:58:48
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
2002 is what it says in the original post ;-) Silly Bee's ..... :-p
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2002
23:37:31
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
HD, I have an old 1990. On my dak I have a 2in susp and a 3in body and run 31x10.50x15s. So taking that into account, you will not gain a lot by only a 2in susp lift. Hey, why dont you check out truckinsuspensions 4.5in lift. HA HA HA. Just kidden. Dont recomend it at all! right Knobby. Gotta run. Later.
Joe E.
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Texas97
GenIII
4/11/2002
01:39:43
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
You may get a little more tire clearance than JoeE, b/c of the newer body style you have, i dont think the wheel wells are as skinny as the Gen IIs. I am not for certain, but i know stock 4x4 run 31's and with a two inch it will be about that stance. May can fo to a 32. Ask around at a tire shop.
Kick the tires and light the fires!
97 Dakota CC 3.9L 5 speed
Flowmaster 40 Deltaflow , K&N Home Brew intake, Autolite 3923's, 180 t-stat
Soon: 2" Fabtech Lift, No Cat, Electric Fan
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Super Bee
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
03:03:13
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
for your info Joe E has a 1990, thats generation one (1) and we are DAMN proud of them. not to be confused with gen2, WE ARE THE MIGHTY GEN 1-ers AND WE RULE YOU ALL WITH A NON-MAGNUM FIST
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HawaiianDakot
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
04:02:43
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Hey all, thanks for the feedback, just wanted to know how thick of a tire size you think I can go with on my 2002 2WD dakota with the 2" lift?
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2002
14:18:15
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
OK, do you want wide, or tall tires? Very different questions there? Later.
Joe E. (Gen 1 proud fist thingy)
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HawaiianDakot
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2002
00:52:54
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
I kinda want both ride and tires, but if I have to choose one, I would go for tires.
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bjlindsey
*GenIII*
4/12/2002
13:51:26
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Hawaii....Check out Tall Quad's ride here
Should answer most of your questions....looks pretty badass, too. By the way, Tall Quad, your truck is the wallpaper du jour on my computer!!!! Should be close to what mine looks like when body lift and XTerrains on get put on...cept mine is bright silver and I'll have the stock 16x8 wheels. I would love to see how you did your front bumper and wheel wells. I live in Mesa, maybe we could hook up sometime before I start on my body lift and you could give me some tips!!!! Trade for beer!!!!!
01 QC 4x4 5.9L 3.92 LSD
K&N clone, Clear Corners, Carbon Fiber Tails, Aluminum Billet 3rd Brake Light Cover, Bug Guard
www.FreeGasForYou.com
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2002
18:25:04
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Trade for beer!,
Hell I come out from FLA to help ya. J/C
To tell you the truth HD, I really did not feel any difference from before I lifted my truck to the ride after lifting and 31s. Its not that big of a deal. Maybe old people driving trucks would notice it but dude, its really no big deal.
Joe E.
Go for the bad ass tires!
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Jason
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2002
01:54:40
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Joe E, i think you misundertood my question, it was with a 2" lift, how big of a tire size can I go with my 02 2WD dakota? anyone that can help me I would really appreciate it, thanks!
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2002
12:10:02
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Jason, call the company up. My guess, taking into account the Gen III larger fender wells, you could run a 30? What does your truck run now as stock? I dont want to make theis sound solid Jason, cuz I simply dont know for sure. But the maunfacture should be able to tell ya.
Good Luck
Joe E.
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Texas97
GenIII
4/15/2002
12:20:54
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
I have 30's on my 2wd 97. I dont know if I went to a 31 if it would rub or not. But 30's fit good, so with two inches in the front, you can go to 31's maybe 32's. Someone at a tire place can tell you after you have the lift on. Is there no offroad/suspinsion shop around where they could look at it?
Kick the tires and light the fires!
97 Dakota CC 3.9L 5 speed
Flowmaster 40 Deltaflow , K&N Home Brew intake, Autolite 3923's, 180 t-stat
Soon: 2" Fabtech Lift, No Cat, Electric Fan
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HawaiianDakot
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2002
12:36:10
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Hey Texas, thanks for the info, so you running 30's with no lift, what is the thickness of the tires? pleae let me know, thanks!
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2002
12:37:29
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
But remember, I changed my rims backspacing when I did my rims. I wanted the wide look too. So I have cut my own throat allitle. On Gen I daks, stock tires for a 2wd are 27-28 in. Also If you want to runa wider tire than the stock 9in, you will sacrifice tire height also. Find a shop and visit them dude. Its your best bet.
Joe E.
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Jason
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2002
13:10:13
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
thanks, i am gonna go into a tire shop and see what they can do, just wanted an estimate as to what kind of tires i could be putting on, because I dont want to buy the 2" lift if I cant run at least 32x11.50's
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Texas97
GenIII
4/15/2002
14:32:48
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Hawaii, I am running 30x9.5x15 Steel Belted Sport Kings. I like this size b/c it works good wiht my gearing. I want to get the 2" Fabtech lift and keep the same tires. I think it will look ok, plus I cant afford new tires, especially since these only have 7,000 miles on them. Hope this helps! Later.
Kick the tires and light the fires!
97 Dakota CC 3.9L 5 speed
Flowmaster 40 Deltaflow , K&N Home Brew intake, Autolite 3923's, 180 t-stat
Soon: 2" Fabtech Lift, No Cat, Electric Fan
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/15/2002
18:53:18
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
I have a 3" CST lift on my 2000 2wd Dakota and run 31" BFG Muds on the stock wheels. I purchased some billet wheel adapters and haven't had any problems with them in over 52,000 miles. The tires only rub when brand new and only when turning ever so slightly in reverse - at full lock they do not rub. If I trimmed about 1/4" inch of plastic I could get rid of the rub. It reminds me of the card in the spokes on a bike so I leave it for personal reasons :)
I lived out in Hawaii and can talk from experience, the motto there is "WIDER is BETTER" without a doubt. Everyone with a big truck in HI wants it wide... really wide... TOO WIDE. Wide on a Dakota doesn't work very well lifted or not. Start a new trend in Hawaii, build something that works and leave that WIDE look for the old LA lowrider crowd.
Keep in mind the lift springs will settle or "sag" too - it's an inevitable and un-preventable thing that you just have to accept. Once your lift springs sag you can toss a small spacer in there to get back to full height or replace the springs, either way you go "sagging" will occur.
Aloha,
Jeff @ PLC
www.PerformanceLifts.com
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HawaiianDakot
Dodge Dakota
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4/15/2002
20:32:40
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
Hey Jeff, thanks for all the info, by the way, you know the CST lift you are using for your dakota, is it a spring lift? and also, do you sell any lifts for a 2002 2WD dakota? please let me know, thanks!
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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2002
13:44:46
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
My truck gets its lift from a lift coilspring. I'd say the spring over the last two years has settled to provide around 2.5-2.75" inches of actual lift. I thought about tossing a really thin spacer in but decided I am happy with the way it sits now. As long as it clears my 31's I'm happy. CST has been rather eratic when it comes to building lifts for the Dakotas. Part of this is the fault of Dodge and the fact many Dakota owners have no desire to lift their 2wd truck... there are WAY more S-10 and Ranger lifts simply because the demand is higher. My Dakota was the first 2000 2wd to be lifted with a coilspring and a new upper control arm back in 1999. CST had the truck for a week and a half and used it as a test vehicle. I've tested it to its limits - jumped it thumped it and bumped it. Lately CST has been so busy building GM and FORD stuff that the Dodge lifts have been put on the back burner. PLC sells Dakota lifts when they are available, last I heard CST was not producing them and they are out of stock. I haven't been keeping myself current on the new 2002 Dakotas - has there been any suspension or brake changes that would affect the fit? It seems Dodge just loves to make stupid little changes that cause the aftermarket suspension builders to pull their hair out. I'll contact CST to find out of they have any plans to fire up production on the 2000+ Dakota kits again.
Jeff @ PLC
www.PerformanceLifts.com
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Jason
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2002
19:45:35
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
hey jeff, besides the coil lift, what other lifts are there for a 2wd dakota?
and your 3" lift, settled to about 2.5" do you think it will sag anymore or will it just stop and 2.5?
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pony1
Dodge Dakota
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4/17/2002
22:17:35
| RE: Suspension Lift
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Message:
tallquad, i must also admit that your truck is my wallpaper as well. badass truck dude!
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