| From | Message |
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/07/2002
02:01:20
|
 Subject: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
I've been getting great information here for the last 3 months or so, but this is my first post.
I have a 98 4X4 with 32 inch mud kings. The tires are worn out and I NEED to get 33's on this thing. I called up 4 wheel parts and they said they had 4 inch lifts for my truck from both Superlift and Pro Comp as well as 3 inch body lifts. So, I said "Um, OK." and hung up. Now correct me if I'm wrong - the only kits for my truck are the 3" Rancho, the 5.5" Tuff Country, or the lifts that truckin suspension has. I decided that I would post here because everyone that I have talked to has given me a different story. Les Schwab tire says that they can do the Rancho or the Tuff Country lifts and they haven't had any problems with either of them. On the other hand, my local 4X shop says that I should not even consider the Tuff Country lift because they are constantly repairing/replacing Tuff Country lift components on various trucks. They suggested that I go with the Rancho (I would like something a little bit taller) or one of the truckin suspension lifts or just go with a solid axle swap (uh, yeah I wish). I also noticed that 4wheelparts lists a package deal that includes the Rancho lift along with a 2 inch body lift. Maybe this would be the most reliable choice? Would it be as tall as the Tuff Country lift? Although, I would like to go all suspension if possible.
Anyway, I could use some opinions on these lifts and all. Here's what I want: I want to get 33's on the truck and still have room to do mild four wheeling and never have to worry about the lift after it is installed. I like the looks of the Tuff Country lift, but I'm not sure about the quality. The Rancho lift sounds good, but it's only 3 inches and in the pictures the trucks hardly look lifted. As far as the truckin lifts go - well, I have no idea. Everything that I've read on here about those have been for the newer trucks.
I would appreciate everyone's opinions and experiences.
|
Knobbyman
*GenIII*
10/07/2002
09:21:54
|  RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
I wouldn't trust Truckin with ANYTHING... Especially with my truck :-\ again.
I'd go w/ the Rancho 3" and the 2" body lift.
'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
6" Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks it faster----
|
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/07/2002
14:58:17
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks, that helps to hear from someone with experience. Do you know if that combo would be about as tall as the Tuff Country lift?
|
papa smurf
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/07/2002
16:48:38
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
I have the tuff country lift and I love the height, but I do more rock crawling than mud so I want the solid axle. If you can afford the solid axle then get it you will be happy, or so I am told. If you go the the solid axle with front leaf springs, I really don't think that it would be too costly (1000-2000) depending on how much you can do yourself and how well you know people who can do the work cheap. Go to the max tire solid axle if you want ideas. I do believe that the combo should put you at about the same height as the tuff country lift. I really haven't had any problems with the tuff country lift, but the ifs is not designed for rock crawling and that is what I prefer to do. If you stay with the stock 15x8 wheels (if you don't have some I have some for sale) then you shouldn't have to worry about rubbing. I got the AE 589's and they rub a little even after some trimming (only when driving in reverse and doing a full turn). That should cover it all, but as tallquad said, do not even think about the truckin lift kit.
|
scott
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/07/2002
17:15:48
|  RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
984X4,
I had the TC lift and a 3in body lift with 38 swampers ,that was just a street cruiser and I broke one of the lift brackets , and had lots of align. problems with no off-road use. Yes , I know there was a lot of stress due to the big tires , but I wouldn`t trust it off-road even with 33s-35s , but that`s just my opinion. There have been a bunch of other people that were (are) very happy with it , I can only tell you my experiance with them.
One more thing...I had a local off-road shop give me an estimate on doing a front end swap to a Dana44(that I already have , completely rebuilt and have over a grand just in that)and it was going to be around 5-7K to do it. That was with coil-over shocks , not leaf springs but that wasn`t a huge difference in price. There are a ton of little , costly parts, that most people don`t think of. Unless you could get the parts for nothing , and are able to do all of the labor there`s no way you could do it for under 2K , because you`ll still need to re-build all of those parts.
I`d go with the Rancho and 3in. body lift ,and crank the torsion bars, you`ll have around 7in. of solid lift that way .
|
born2steel21
GenIII
10/07/2002
18:01:24
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
I like the tuff country lift personally even though I've had a few problems with the alignment. Be prepared to give alot of ride quality up and your probably going to have to change out a bunch of suspension parts with the lift so that you can get quality alignment. (upper and lower ball joints, tie rods) But you get an extra 3 inches with the torsion bars and it looks bad a$$.
If I had the money though it would be solid axle for me.
-- Death Before Dismount --
|
born2steel21
GenIII
10/07/2002
18:06:31
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
BTW, I got pics of the rancho lift and tuff country lift side by side from the Lancaster dakota cruise in.
http://photos.yahoo.com/born2steel21
-- Death Before Dismount --
|
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/08/2002
01:21:44
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks a lot guys. That's gives me some info to go on. Yeah, I would love to do a solid axle swap, but I just don't have the time or money. Does anyone have some pictures of the Rancho lift combined with a body lift? Is a 2" body lift a lot less noticeable than a 3"? Also, what kind of problems would I run into with a body lift? I've heard about shifter(I have an auto though) and steering, etc. problems with the body lifts.
Also, does anyone have the new BFG Mud Terrains? If so, what are your impressions? I like those and the SSR's, but the BFG's are cheaper and right now they're on sale.
|
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/09/2002
00:28:02
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
Anybody?
|
dweishaar
GenIII
10/09/2002
00:37:32
|  RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
get them.....look how happy my truck looks.....you want that for your truck right? of course you do. Get them, you won't be dissapointed.
the only gripe i have is that they are really soft rubber, so don't expect them to last to long on the street.
One Eyed Fox
The Baja Dak
Have you jumped a dak..........lately?
|
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/09/2002
15:51:32
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
Does anyone have pictures of the 3" Rancho with a 2" or 3" body lift combo?? AND, what kind of problems do I need to look out for with the body lift? Thanks for any help . . . I have a 98 4X4.
Oh yeah, I have the westin "safari bar" on the front - anybody have this with a body lift? If so, how much is it to have brackets made so that it will once again be in the original position after the body lift?
|
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/12/2002
13:23:34
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
Uhhhh, help?
|
TimmyBlak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/12/2002
23:24:51
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
I have a 2001 4x4 with a westin pushbar. All I had to do was drill two different holes in the original bracket that came with the bar, and that was for the bottom only. top lines right up.
WISH I COULD GET A RANCHO LIFT.
|
984X4
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/13/2002
13:27:54
| RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
Hopefully I can just drill new holes on mine too. . . I'll have to go take a look at it.
|
nabobz
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
10/14/2002
19:16:14
|  RE: Your Input Please . . .
IP: Logged
Message:
I have the Westin Safari bar too and I was on here a while back and some one said that with the 3" body lift the stock brackets for the safari bar made it sit 3" lower (of course). But they had a picture of it and it made the top of the bar line up with the top of the bumper and looked kinda cool. I don't have a lift yet but I don't think I'd change the heighth of my safari bar if I did get one. Sorry i can't give ya any more info than that but its been a while since i've seen it. Just my opinion. Good luck.
><> White 2000 CC 4x4, 4.7, Westin Safari Bar, KC Daylighters, Homebrew intake w/ K&N filter, Autolite 3923's
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
