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Ken
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2002
12:17:58
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 Subject: Whats to stop me?
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Hi everyone, A couple of engineers and i were sitting around and got to thinkin, now what would it take to design a 6 to 8 inch suspension lift for our daks. We have the money, time and resorces to design one that WORKS, that would be affordable for people. What i need is imput from the guys on this board that have alot of experience with dakotas. I've had mine for 2 yrs. and recently took that pansy fabtech 2" lift off cause it was pathetic. I'm tired of the fact that no one is making a better lift for our trucks. I know whiplash offers a kit, but am not too sure on the quality and havent heard too many good things about them. So, what would it take for us to design a quality sus. lift for our trucks guys!? Lets put our heads together and make it happen. I'd like to ride on 38's how about you?
Ken
San Diego, Ca.
P.S I'm sure i'm overlooking something, and there is probably some reason it cant be done... but hell with enuf money and brains anything is possible!
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NJQUAD2BY
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2002
12:46:23
|  RE: Whats to stop me?
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From what I've read on this forum, spindles seem to be the way to go. If you start messing with the coil springs you need a arms, ball joints etc. At this time, no one is making spindles for Dakotas. Sounds like a nitch to me.
Good luck, I know I want a set.
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dkr8611
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2002
13:44:02
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Yes, I would love 3in lifted spindles that would compliment a 3in coil lift.
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Dr.Dakota
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2002
15:50:23
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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I'm new to Dakotas, so I can't help much with the technical aspects. But, if you get a good working suspension lift (3-5inches)that would work with a 2001 4X4 I would be very interested in it since I too live in San Diego and have been waiting for Rancho to come up with one.
Good luck guys, I can atleast help you with moral support.
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arthur
Dodge Dakota
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5/31/2002
16:52:55
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Message:
All i have to say is make the damn thing!
Make it out of good strong components that will allow us to actually use the lift. test it on your own Dakota a few times...once you've put the lift on a few times and have some REAL GOOD directions on how to do it and have your own truck to back it up...i'll be the first in line to buy it!
However...if you really want to tickle me happy and make a BITCHIN lift...try the coilover approach...it's difficult as all hell, but they are simply the best kind of lifts.
Of course...i should probably take that back...solid axles are the best possible lifts...and if you can fit a Bronco solid axle under our dakotas with the older Dana 44 from the 76- Broncos...THAT WOULD BE AWESOME! That way we get Dana 44 reliablity and upgradability, along with a hell of a lot stronger and better suspension.
just think of the possibilites...
Lockers!
Gears!
Strength!
Flexibilty!
ahhhh ahhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh WHACK!
DOWN BOY!
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
6/02/2002
09:21:23
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Message:
Ken I'd be more then happy to give you all the information and pictures that I have from my lift. If you wanted to design off of that HAVE AT IT. I offered all the information I had or even didn't have that I could get to Truckin but they wouldn't listen. If your interested. Let me tell you this. Make it for one truck and one truck only. Because every year has different holes and slightly different angles. I SWEAR! anyway. I have a ~5" lift on my 2001 QC with a 4.7 in it. The most problem you are going to have on this truck is getting articulation out of the front end and making the joints able to handle the new angle of the drive shafts.
What ever information you need/want I'd be happy to give it to you. I've lost/thrown out most of the information because I just plain fed up with Truckin-Suspension. Anyway I'd be happy once I got my truck back to lay under it and get measurements for you. But I will tell you this.. Unless you send me another Dakota I'm not taking anything off my truck now that I've gotten the darn thing working.
Also have a alternate mode of transportation setup for a few months. Because it's going to be a real task getting everything together.
Ken if your in Dallas or Ft. Worth or somewhere near here I'd be happy to bring my truck out and show you what I've done. If you wanted to build on that GO FOR IT! One other thing I'd like to say real quick. If your going to be re-doing everything Look into a way to replace the Torsion Bars with maybe some coil over suspension (THAT'D SO ROCK!) I might.......... even let you test that on my truck (WHAT AM I SAYING!?) no.. I can't I want my baby back. hehe. if you get it working on your truck though I'd love to do it on mine.
E-mail me or AIM me or something. Go to my website for all my info and pics of my truck.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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Mike S.
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2002
16:22:27
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Spindles, Spindles, Spindles...If all you made were spindles that could work in conjuction with someone elses coil lift or whatever, you'd make a crap load of money, ESPECIALY with the Gen II people and 2wd folks. Something thats simpler to install than the other lift kits out there.
Despite my Gen II bias, profits would dictate making 2000-02 kits first, then 97-99, then Gen 1-2 kits.
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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6/03/2002
18:29:41
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Does anyone know what a 2wd Dak with a 3in suspension lift, 3in body lift, and 3in spindle lift could run as far as tires go? I think spindles would be the place to look. I have looked at them and as far as everyone in the business says is that they dont effect steering geometry or any other alighment. I have a 1990 2wd so this will help me none. But I think spindles are the place to go too. No one else has them. Youd have a total monopoly on it. $$$
The rack and pinion on 2wd trucks is what screws us 2wd guys up. The steering can only take 3in of lift and thats with new A Arms. If you could design someway to place the tie rod ends higher on the spindle, you could go 5-6 in of susp. lift. At least in theory cuz Im not an engineer.
Good Luck.
Joe E.
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Wedo
Dodge Dakota
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6/04/2002
01:27:49
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Message:
The thoughts of a reliable and well built suspension are almost to good to be true...
I would vote for some kind of coil over as the ride will not suffer as it would with the majority of spring overs and spring spacer type suspensions.
Some great ideas can be found here:
http://www.rocky-road.com/coil.html
This guy makes incredible suspension for Susuki Samuri's. The coil over rides like a Caddy on the road but handles like a champ in the dirt. He is a real nice guy and would probably be a great source for tips and tricks.
Wedo
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
6/04/2002
14:46:14
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Message:
Joe E. - Your truck would be as tall as mine. You'd still only be able to run anything but 33's.
Wedo.. cool site :-)
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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dkr8611
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/04/2002
16:06:03
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Message:
I would think that Joe E could run 35's.....He is theoretically adding 3 inches in the front with spindles to what TallQuad already has. He would probably have to trim a lot though. Just my guess.
But I would like to find out, so let's get some spindles in production for 2WD 2000-2002 Dakotas.
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4wDakota
GenIII
6/04/2002
16:22:47
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Yeah but unlike tallquad he can't fit 33's now. The older Gen I and II trucks are lower. I agree with Knobby, I think he'll be about as high as Walt Felix and run 33's.
Corey
98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD
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Knobbyman
*GenIII*
6/04/2002
16:25:46
| RE: Whats to stop me?
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Message:
WOW!! missed that.. didn't realize it was a 1990. There's no way you could fit 35's on a '90 w/ only 9" of lift on a 4x2 with out cutting the fenders out a good 4" or so.
You'd need to lift a 4x4 about 8" to be able to clear 35's.. I think ....
We'll know fairly soon my truck should be done by the end of this week.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----
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