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Jeff
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2002
20:04:40
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 Subject: RE: Suspension Idea
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Message:
If you want more lift out of the Dakota the easiest method would be a custom spindle. More and more fabrication shops on the left coast are building spindles. The problem with the Dakota design is no different than any other mid-size a-arm equipped IFS suspension - the arms are short. The maximum amount of lift you can get with springs or spacers (or a combination of the two) is 3" inches. More than that and even the best upper control arm won't provide any rebound travel in the suspension. A subframe lift is the best alternative for 2wd owners that want a stock width truck that is taller than currently available. Since most Dakota owners seem to have spent all their money on the truck, very few are willing to step up to the plate and spend the amount of money necessary to build a 2wd Dakota the right way. If you are adding big tires for the look that's fine... but all the lift in the world won't make the Dakota work any better off-road if it's done poorly.
The few companies that have built Long Travel kits for the Dakota/Durango still don't see anyone beating a path to their doors. Custom spindles that will hold a proper alignment that provide up to 4" inches of lift would probably run about $700 bucks for a pair if they were being built in a decent quantity. If the demand really warranted a spindle lift I'm sure someone would offer one. I've investigated building them and the time/money/effort required to R&D them won't ever be recovered if Dakota owners maintain the "cheapest route is the best route" philosophy. The Ranger and S10 are WAY cheaper than a Dakota yet the cheapest skinflints appear to be Dakota owners! I own a Dakota and get e-mail from all sorts of Dakota owners that whine when I tell them the price to do it the right way. There are hundreds of S-10 owners that are paying $2000 for a 2wd lift system that don't even blink an eye. If the Dakota owners had similar purchase habits you can bet your butt that the aftermarket would wake up and start offering more Dakota products.
I see Bernd now offers a complete turbo kit for $3000 - that's CHUMP change for a turbo kit. Props to Bernd for stepping up and offering a true performance upgrade. Have any of you ever priced out an exhaust manifold made from Inconel? I've seen guys pay $10,000 for JUST an exhaust manifold for their turbo Audis. I know I know... Champagne tastes on a Beer budget...
Aloha
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Chris
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/24/2002
12:09:38
| RE: Suspension Idea
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Message:
Why do I even come to this message board. I think this is my last time.
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