| From | Message |
Mike W
Dodge Dakota
10/31/2001
20:14:22
|
 Subject: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
so whats the deal with coil spacers... i have a 2000 4x2 dakota and I want another 2" of lift. can I do this with just a coil spacer (which should level the truck) or do I need new a-arms too and what will it effect?
also, if I were to get a 3" suspension lift down the road from Aim or somebody else, could I still use the spacers? i don't know much about suspension so ANY help will be great! thanks ahead of time.
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/01/2001
01:08:55
|  RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Mike, about the coil spring spacers. I am sure you can use them. I have 2in spacers on my Dak and they did work well. About using them in conjunction with another lift, its very iffy. I have tried this. I though I could get a 3in susp lift from AIM, and use the spacers and get a total of 5in. Well, it will not work that way. Our 2wd trucks have a rack and pinion steering system. They can only take a maxium of 3in susp. lift. So the 5in will not work. Simply not enough room up front. My advise to you would be to go with the 3in AIM lift. It will cost alittle more, but you will be happier in the long run. OUr 2wd trucks are lower than 4x4's at stock. In order to use larger tires, you will have to raise your truck more than a 4x4 would. For example: My Dak is a 1990 2wd. I was told I could run 31x10's with a 2in susp lift. I had to add a 3in body lift and trim my fenders to get the 31's to fit. Now a 4x4 could take the 3in body lift alone and run 31's fine. I would go with a 3in susp. lift and a 3in body lift. You could then run 32's or so. Take your time and be patient. Things will all work out. Good Luck
Joe E.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/06/2001
21:25:59
|  RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
ok ok ok you guys let me let ya in on a secret. first go to this site http://www.geocities.com/quad2nv/.
when i saw that i fell in love! the spacers ya need to get is the 88+ Chevy coil spacers and put it with the 3" body lift and 3" febtech lift. THEN YOU CAN FIT THE 33" TIRES ON IT!!!!!!!!! i'm getting the same set up that x-mas, but on the black American Racing rim. and that set up dose work, cuase i talked to the guy that owns that dak personaly. best of luck to ya.
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/06/2001
22:15:45
|  RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Josh, please explain this to me. I talked to my off road shop about a concept I had. I have a 1990 2wd V6 w/3in body lift, 2in suspension lift. I though I could buy a 3in suspension lift from AIM ind. ( upper A arms, lift coils) and put the 2in spacers above that to make a total of 5in suspension lift and a 3in body lift. They told me no way. Not enough room for more than 3in of suspension lift on a rack and pinion Dakota.
Are you saying Josh that I could get that 3in susp. lift installed, then put the 2in spacers on top of that and have 5in lift? I dont think it would work but if you know something I dont, please tell me. I would love to be garenteed it did, I would install it next week if possible.
Thanks for your help man. Again, you bring a new view to this game of truck steroids. Have a good one.
Joe E.
|
TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
00:41:01
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Josh, that truck your talking about is just up the street from my work, his name is Dave. I had already planned out my 6" lift until I went for a ride in Dave's truck and realized he was using 2" coil spacers on top of the Fabtech lift. I had the same worries as you guys so I went over and talked to him (cool guy). After actually being IN the truck, I felt better about the concept of a spacer. In fact, I have them right now! Although, they are not Chevy spacers, they are Dakota spacers by Daystar (it took a ton of research to find them). The Chevy parts are the new rear shackles turn upside down which give an extra 2" in the rear. If you haven't already, check out my site, I have pics of how my truck should look once I install the Fabtech lift (and the pics show only 6" up front, not 8)!!
http://members.home.net/ryanwesterman1/2002Dakota.htm
I know a lot of people are skeptical of adding spacers to 3" of lift, but I plan on being the second guy to try it out!
Joe E. - It could be that your dak is a 1990 and might be a liitle different in design...?? Maybe not. I do know mechanics don't like to give people bad advise so if they THINK it might not work, they usually so no. I like to see for myself though!! hehe...
|
Wes
GenI
11/07/2001
02:41:43
|  RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
I got the 2" spacers from California Super Trucks and it works just fine. It was aligned just fine, the alignment guy says I probably could go another inch higher with the stock a-arms and still be able to align it ok. But, all I wanted was the level look and put 30" tires on it.
For those of you thinking about use AIM products, I would seriously not recommend using them. They are very poor quality, and they are the cheapest price for all suspension parts for a reason.
California Super Trucks make a 1",2",3" kits for a 2wd Dakota. www.californiasupertrucks.com
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:13:31
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
how much are are the coil spacers(the 1", 2", and 3") by themself?
|
TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:23:03
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
For a pair of 2" spacers mine were about $80 without tax.
|
Mike W
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:27:12
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Does anybody know what the added upper a-arm does that is included in these lift kits?
How does it change the suspension?
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:32:54
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks TallQuad! just one last question, from where did you get this price from?
|
TallQuad
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:36:18
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Desert Rat Off-Road centers. They have ads in off-road magazines and stores on the west coast.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
11:57:35
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
so sorry about this, but are they metal or urithane?
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
15:02:48
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Hi guys, I dont see why it would not work either. I mean the spacers being on top of the coil that lifted would be the same as a spacer being on top of a stock coil right. I am thinking that its the rack and pinion steering that is messing me up. I though about trying it too but got nervous about wasting money. I called another shop a few days ago and they said, just order the 3in lift and bring it to us. We will fit in what we can get in. But that to me sounds like a ploy to get some $ but still not be able to do it. If anyone has info on Gen I daks and this application, PLEASE respond. Thanks all of you.
Joe E.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
18:16:21
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
joe make a deal with them. to where you pay very little if they don't work on your truck.
|
Wes
GenI
11/07/2001
18:22:32
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Josh
I paid $65, they are all the same price, and there are polyurethane.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/07/2001
19:08:47
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
so they go on top of the spring or beteen the coils?
|
Wes
GenI
11/07/2001
19:12:21
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
On top of the coil springs
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
01:59:37
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
You know Josh, thats not a bad idea. When the $ for it is found, I just might do that. But for now, I am trying to get California Super Trucks to make me a pair of 3in lift spindles. I wrote them today but have not recieved anything back from them. I almost had another co in Cali. do it but they wanted the truck there. Im in FLA and they are in Cali, wont work. Hopefully CST will write tomarrow and maybe I can get those 3in lift spindles.
Joe E.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
08:25:07
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
joe i've talked to several companies( fabtech, rcd, aim,& etc.) and they all said that a lift spindle would throw the rack and pinion to a weird angle that it won't be able to handle ( but i personaly don't see how)
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
16:07:34
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Josh, amn I am not glad to hear that. I have always heard that spindles were a good way to lift a truck. I am going to look into it also. As far as I know, the oly change of the spindle is where the hub goes. It just is set lower on the spindle instead of in the middle where the stock hub goes. Well, thanks for the comment. Have a good one.
Joe E.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
17:46:58
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
i had an rough draft of a componant that would lower the rack, so you could use a lift spindle. i tried to GIVE the idea the to all the major companies and the only one that was slightly interested was AIM and i herd that their products sucked, becuase of poor materal. it had a builted in skid plate and every thing, but NO ONE WOULD BUILD IT!!! it freakin sux! the stupid engineers at this companies don't realize a money making project even if it hit them in the face! i wasn't even asking for money all i wanted was a discount on the whole lift system. even after i stated i didn't want anything(no money or discounts) they still turned me away. what's up with these companies now a days? after dealing with all that i decided to make my own lift with a solid axle converion. so i'm going 4x4 now forget this 2wd crap. best of lusk to you joe!
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/08/2001
22:24:25
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Good luck on your conversion. You sent those drafts to me remember. You had a hard time due to some hotmail problem. I dont see why your desicg wouldnt work either. If you look at all the people on this site talking about lifts, you cant tell me there is no market for Dakota stuff. If they can make these 6in Ranger lifts, and load them up with 33's and 35's, why not us? Anyways, I am getting to the point where I am about to get a sazall and take some of that damn small fender off the front. My buddy is actually getting me one to use for a while. I think I am going to Shave the body back past the body support just behind the front tires. Then, I am going to weld a triangular piece of 1/4 in steel vertically from the frame to the body. That way, The body would be supported and I could get a 33 in tire on the front. Well, good luck to you too Josh. I hate to see you loose hope in the 2wd though.
Joe E.
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
09:07:16
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
joe what i don't understand is this ford and toyota has a lifted 2wd with a rack strait from the factory. why the hell can't dodge do this??!! to get 33"s on your truck just get in touch with GlassWorksUnlimited.com they will square you away with a set of prerunner fenders. if someone could build my component then i might stick with the 2wd lifting. but no one would support or even sponsor it, so.... it looks like the only way is 4x4.
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/09/2001
12:04:41
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Josh, I am trying to get ahlod of Glass works to ask them about the fenders. I will have to save up some $ do do this too. Right now I am talking to a guy who is selling his Edlebrock headers and Jacobs ignition coil. I am pretty close to buying it from him but want to know any opinions on these 2 produact. I will be outa town for the weekend but I will get back to any comment on Sunday. Thanks
I am going to Lakeland Florida for a mudd bogg. My cousin has a 80's CJ with 35's Swampers. It is going to be a blast!
Have a good weekend.
Joe E.
|
Fyremanbil
Dodge Dakota
11/10/2001
01:13:29
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey guys, I just put the rough country coil spacers on my 94 2wd x-cab. It worked, but you gotta know some things I learned. First off, my truck has a 2:1 ratio lower control arm on it. That means however much you space the spring, you get double the lift at the wheel. when I bought the "2" kit to "level" my truck, I received 2" spacers. They were almost imposible to put in even w/ a spring compressor. Next, I discovered that the shocks were difficult to put in. As the lower control arm moves down farther (raising the truck), the lower spring pocket in the lower arm points not at the upper pocket in the frame but way outward. This forces the spring into an arc and the inside of the spring nearly hits the shock (Rancho RS5000). When it was all in, I lowered the truck off the stands and found that the suspension didn't compress at all. It was pinned against the droop stops hard!! The 2" lift was really a 4" lift, but there's only enough travel for about 3 or 3.5 without changing the upper arms. Also, the ball joints and lower control arms are absolutely at there limit!! This suspension CANT go higher without spindles or lower control arm replacement. The solution was to take it all out and cut 7/8 coil from the spring. This got it off the droop stop, but it's still pretty close. It looks good, but can't be used for serious off roading. The compression cycle works great, but on rebound it slams into the droop stops and pulls the front wheels off the ground. The violent bouncing usually throws the rear view mirror off the windshield and into the back seat. If you want to see what this looks like, put a jack under your front crossmember and raise until you can just force the tip of your little finger between the frame and the droop stop. Hope this helps.
Bill
|
Mike W
Dodge Dakota
11/10/2001
03:09:19
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
how much droop would you get with new upper arms?
|
josh
Dodge Dakota
11/10/2001
15:26:02
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
you can add spacers, you can add new springs, you can add new control arms, but it all comes back to the same the "more lift". the only way that your going to get the most lift is either get a 4x4 or converting your 2wd, bottom line. if you take a pile of $hit and put sugar on it what is it? it's still a pile of $HIT! so, there's really no reason why to sugar coat it. so i guess what i'm saying is, there is no reason why to spend all this money that we do on sugaring a pile of $hit. i'm sorry if this disturbs anyone. it's just that i'm one: at wits end with the lack of products for the 2wd Dakota, and two: i'm sick and tire of these companies not listening to the consumer when they lay a money making plan right in their lap. once again i'm sorry if anyone is disturbed by what i have said, but i do have my reasons.
|
fyremanbil
Dodge Dakota
11/11/2001
02:01:00
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Mike W, I dont know how much more downward travel you can get if you replace the upper control arms. I think a company called California Super Trucks in San Bernardino, Ca makes some. After you have those, you also need longer shocks. The stock length shocks aren't long enough for more downward travel. Also, I need different wheels now with less back spacing. When the truck moves up, the wheel moves in. My tires rub on the frame when I turn all the way to either side now.
Ya Josh, I've been frustrated too. But I did manage to install a 2" body lift and get about a 3.5" front suspension lift. My truck is a little higher than a stock 4x4 + a little nose high rake. As soon as I get some 31's or maybe with a little trimming 32's, I'll be happy.
Good luck.
Bill
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/11/2001
18:50:28
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
What year of Dak do you have? I have a 1990 2wd and put the same lift on my truck. I also had the same problem with the coil spacer not hardly fitten. Well, I say I but I mean the shop had probs. But I can tell you that I did not get 4in of lift outa it. I also had the shop install a 3in body lift. That allows me to use 31x10.50's. They look nice but I want 33x12.50's. And I am working on any possibility to get that. I am trying to contact Calif. Super Trucks to talk about a custom 3in spindle. Josh here said that he was told they messed up the R&P steering. I was sure that it would have no change, but I am not so positive now. If anyone has info on these lift spindles, any type, please tell me. Thanks and good luck to all.
Joe E.
|
fyremanbil
Dodge Dakota
11/12/2001
12:42:21
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
Hey Joe, I,ve got a 94 w/5.2 5spd. Don't know what the diff. might be between our trucks. Where did you get your body lift? What did you do about lower radiator hose/fan clearance? Mine is really close w/2" lift. I had to cut my steering shaft and weld a section into it to lengthen it for the body lift. Did you do the same? You still only got 31's on! Did you do any fender trimming? I hoped I'd get 32's in. Thanks.
Bill
|
Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
11/13/2001
00:21:40
| RE: 2wd Coil Spacers??
IP: Logged
Message:
About the body lift, it was a Trailmaster 3in. for a 4x4. The only customizing I had to do was the steering shaft. Same as you! But I used 2 steel bolts instead of a welder. I thought that the rubber joints would get fried. I guess not huh. I did have to do some fixen on the radiator. I just used some metal brackets and lowered the whole assemblt 3in inches. Worked fine.
Probably the biggest diff in our trucks is the Mag engine and non mag engine (mine). Your grill is different and headlights too but I dont really know anymore. In all the rapair manuals, the 88-96 Daks are all grouped together. So there cant be much different.
Yes, I am still only running 31's. I am soooooooo pissed at that too. I had to even trim the fenders to get that to work! But my buddy is bringing me a sawzall this week so I am really going to do some hacking. I also want to get these glassworks.com fiberglass fenders, $400.00, on my truck. They are raised 3in and have a 4in flair. Bit that will be custom work so it might be even more $. Talk to you later. Have a good one.
Joe E.
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
