2nd Gen Dakota Tech 1997 - 2004 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 2nd Gen Dakota.

Lift coil problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-11-2015, 06:20 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Lift coil problem

I've hit a snag in installing the canuck 2" lift coils I bought to level the truck. I'm not using a compressor, and when I position it up in the frame bucket, sit it in the control arm and jack up on it, it only goes so far til it lifts the truck off the jackstands. Now how do I read that you dont need a compressor up to 3" lift, but for me it's not even close to happening.

The compressor I rented from AZ goes inside the spring with a set of hooks and a fork, and I rented it before I started the job just in case but it does not grab the coil right and acts like it wants to slip off.
 
  #2  
Old 04-12-2015, 10:18 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well, I got those springs close to working by jacking up on the LCA right by the BJ, but I would of had to shave the bump stop on the UCA to drop it down far enough to work. To me, thats no bueno. The suspension will bottom out on every day driving. So back in went the old springs.

Will springs from a 2wd quad cab give me any lift at all? They're all different part #'s on rockauto..and I figure a quad being heavier might slightly lift my extended cab.
 
  #3  
Old 04-18-2015, 08:01 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

UPDATE! I went and spent $90 on a pair of Moog springs for a quad cab, and I now sit a full 1 1/2" higher in the front! Perfect! Not to mention the truck rides terrific, and I wont be tearing up ball joints since it's all factory parts!

So if u want to level an extended cab, easiest way is quad cab springs. They went in so easy. The canucks were a fight bc they're so stiff.
 
  #4  
Old 04-19-2015, 10:31 AM
98DAKAZ's Avatar
98DAKAZ
98DAKAZ is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Posts: 4,884
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Default

I had the same problem installing new stronger more turns springs I just jacked it up till I could get the ball joint nut on. I had to jack up till almost both sides were off the jack stands it was a bit scary. I ended up loosing .50 inch as the springs were shorter but stronger but now I like it as I decided I want my Dakota as a strictly street machine that's just a little low.


So things worked out ok
 

Last edited by 98DAKAZ; 04-19-2015 at 02:25 PM.
  #5  
Old 04-19-2015, 11:20 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Interesting. The factory springs had 7 coils, the canucks had 7 as well. The quad cab springs have 9 and just slightly taller. Im not a coil spring expert, but ride quality is firm, but smooth and controlled. Couldn't be happier with my experimental leveling "kit".

My truck is a street queen as well, no offroading or bigger tires.
 

Last edited by JDak02; 04-19-2015 at 11:25 PM.
  #6  
Old 04-19-2015, 11:27 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
  #7  
Old 04-19-2015, 11:31 PM
98DAKAZ's Avatar
98DAKAZ
98DAKAZ is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Posts: 4,884
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Default


I have a Pic or 2






0






 
  #8  
Old 04-19-2015, 11:38 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Looks like those ones you put in are atleast 3/4" shorter from what I can tell. When removing your old springs, did u use a compressor? I didn't. I read several places that it wasnt needed. Maybe its risky, but I had no problem at all.
 
  #9  
Old 04-20-2015, 12:10 AM
98DAKAZ's Avatar
98DAKAZ
98DAKAZ is offline
Champion
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Gilbert, Arizona
Posts: 4,884
Likes: 0
Received 32 Likes on 30 Posts
Default

No 1/2 an inch is all yea I just jacked the truck up I tried a spring compressor at first but it scared me it kept popping off with a loud snap every time. Jacking was way easier and safer except the last part.


If I remember they were Moog or Rockwell springs from O'reilly auto parts back in 2011.
 
  #10  
Old 04-20-2015, 08:22 PM
JDak02's Avatar
JDak02
JDak02 is offline
Amateur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I had the same problem with the spring compressor I rented. Same exact thing was happening to me with it. Heck i was more afraid of the compressor than the spring lol
 



Quick Reply: Lift coil problem



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:09 AM.