| From | Message |
Adam
Dodge Dakota
9/01/2001
23:13:38
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 Subject: AirBags??
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Message:
Anyone know some good places to find a complete air bag system for a 97 2WD? I really want to get them but I can only find a few places.
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kota on 20s
Dodge Dakota
9/02/2001
12:24:50
|  RE: AirBags??
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Message:
where do you live?
Eric
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
9/02/2001
17:08:14
| RE: AirBags??
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Message:
NE Ohio
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kota on 20s
Dodge Dakota
9/03/2001
02:49:20
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
not sure in OH, but just look for custom shops and ask around. try to avoid the "complete kits" that are listed in mags like truck'n. its best just to get everything fabed up for you.
Eric
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Manny
Dodge Dakota
9/04/2001
23:02:03
| RE: AirBags??
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Message:
Air ride technology is the leader of air ride suspension. They have a "complete" system for you to bolt on with some modification. They are not cheap, there are very expensive but the material and workmanship is excellent. Good lcuk
www.ridetech.com or 812-482-2932
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loku
Dodge Dakota
9/06/2001
14:29:16
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
A word of experience on bagging your Dakota... DON'T DO IT! I've bagged mine and the ride isn't near as good as advertised, and possibly worse than just a plain suspension drop. However if you are convinced as I once was that you need to bag it, here is some advice.
First of all, don't order products from AIM, commonly found advertising in Truckin' and Sport Truck Magazines. It's not that the products are bad, it's the unknowledgable sales staff that will sell you the wrong products, incomplete sets, uncompatable items, etc. And it won't be untill you've stripped off your old suspension and start putting on the new until you find out, at which point they will not let you return them!
I bagged my '95 from products which I ordered from AIM. Not a single suspension component I ordered fit my truck as described. The only reason I ordered the items I did is because the sales person assured me they were "bolt on replacements with no modifications required." BULL $HIT. By the time I realized this, it was too late and so I spent an extra week modifying my frame, suspension, and components to work. Also, AIM does not warranty the products they sell. If you should happen to get a bad valve or faulty compressor, you must take that up with the manufacturer which means months of waiting w/o driving the truck.
Second, don't buy the bag over shock suspensions such as the Firestone Airwaves or Air Ride's Shockwave. The mounting requires heavy modification to your A-arms and Frame in the front. They also require much more air pressure to get to ride height because of the small area inside which the pressure is applied to. The convinience of not having to relocate a shock is not worth the expense and trouble of that type of bagging system. Also, the shocks wear out very quickly, and although they are rebuildable, it can be a hefty task.
Third, there is no room for a typical airbag setup in the rear of the dakota as most places would sell you. I'm talking about the type where a bar is welded across the frame and plates are welded to your axles, and the bag sits between them. Go with a bagging system that bolts to the side of your frame and sits on the axle. However, if you already have, or are planning to put in a c-section in the rear, this severely limits your options.
The best type of setup in the rear is a four-link, however most four-links are too long for the dakota and so you will run into interference problems with other mounting brackets. Unless the four-link was desinged just for Dakotas, pass on it.
You will probably have better luck with a '97 since it is the newer body style and products are more readily available. Expect to spend over three grand for decent equipment. If you are doing the installation yourself, I can't stress enough the importance of planning. There are more hoses and wires to be ran than you think.
If you'd like any other words of experience, let me know. I'm always willing to help someone avoid the pain and suffering I've gone through!
loku
logankubik@hotmail.com
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Big O
Dodge Dakota
9/07/2001
02:03:26
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
Loku...any pics?
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slammed_dakot
Dodge Dakota
9/07/2001
19:09:25
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
I just put bags on my 2000 extended cab and it rides like a caddy, i havent c-nothed it yet because my wheels dont tuck at all in the back. I think i spent 2900.
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Remil
Dodge Dakota
9/08/2001
17:11:19
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
loku,
What kinds of modifications do the airwaves require on your arms and frame
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loku
Dodge Dakota
9/08/2001
22:42:54
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
Remil,
The airwaves require cutting out the hole in the front frame which the spring sits in to about an inch to an inch and a half larger in diameter so the bag doesn't rub. I don't have a cutting torch so I had to lay beneath the truck with a grinder and grind it away. For the lower A-arm, you have to cut a hole out in the shape of an oval with a diamter large enough for the diameter of the shock (plus a little extra of course). The length of the oval must accomodate pivoting of the shock so it doesn't rub or restrict the A-arm from moving when the suspension is put through full movement. For the upper part of the frame, you just have to drill the normal shock mount hole out a bit larger, and then drill another hole to accomodate the air hose. This hole should be drilled quite a bit larger than the air hose itself to make installation easier. If I had been thinking, I would have made a 1" hole and put a rubber grommet in there to keep the hose from rubbing. It's also a good idea to wrap all the hose that sits under the hood with aluminum tape so the heat from the exhaust manifolds don't melt them.
I've only got a few pictures of my actual install, but if anyone wants those pics or pics of the whole truck, just e-mail me and I'll reply with some.
Loku
logankubik@hotmail.com
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abells121
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/17/2003
06:09:52
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
loku,
a friend of mine wants me to bag his '02 dakota and i was wondering if i could see the pics of your install.
thanks
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dumbass
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
9/17/2003
10:44:04
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
I've only got a few pictures of my actual install, but if anyone wants those pics or pics of the whole truck, just e-mail me and I'll reply with some.
Loku
logankubik@hotmail.com
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crazyrob
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/11/2004
14:37:06
| RE: AirBags??
IP: Logged
Message:
www.jpkustoms.com
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