first car is a 95 dodge dakota slt 4x4. I love it, but I also want to do a few things to it still.

Main thing is I like the look of lifted trucks and jeeps with big 31" tires, how would I go about lifting the truck up and eventually getting bigger tires?

Thanks in advance --- I am good with snowmobiles atv's and bikes, but this is my first car project, so take it easy on me.

 

With the 4x4 you can crank up your torsion bars. For tons more lift ideas check out the FAQ2 in this section.

 

Yeah I checked that out now I feel like a big dope - thanks for the advice on torsion bars.

 

No problem. Post up pics when you get it done.

 

Lol, you and me have different ideas on what constitutes a big tire! The 31s I had on my truck looked small. Heck, the 35s that are on there temporarily right now look small! :P The 37s ought to be good though.

And as for the torsion bar lift, expect a very harsh ride if you turn up the torsion bars. The ride quality is half the reason I hacked off all my factory front suspension. The coil springs under my truck right now are much, much softer, and the truck is sitting so much higher.

 

lifted trucks are awesome, but there is no need to go that big IMO this is simply the wrong truck.

You lose alot with real big tires... money, performance, mpg, traction, handling... braking.... etc. 31's is plenty, 33's is BIG. i've seen many lifted trucks, broncos, blazers etc. running bfgoodrich 31's.

 

Hahah wow we have the same truck! just different opinions... I do not mind a tough ride, just like the look of it, so if I go with 31" tires and it raised a bit I will be happy.

Some more questions... I took a dive under the truck today and the torsion bar and the two bolts were easy enough to find. I can tighten it all the way right? And then from there determine if I want to lower it more? This only raises the front right?

I would just jack up the left wheel adjust the left bolt clockwise (raising it) then jack up the right side and match it?

What are side effects? <--- favorite icon so far...

Before doing anything I would like to know and I will also take pictures (to make sure I am aiming for the right thing) This seems easy enough...

 

Here is a how to on cranking up the torsion bars.It has the negatives and all. It is also located in the FAQ2.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1979009-post2.html

 

i need to get to my mechanic for realignment after cranking up the torsion bars?

 

I bet to differ. If you lift our trucks with the torsion bar method, you lose all flexing ability in the front. The bars have way too much preload and therefore can't handle any higher load when trying to flex over anything. If you want to build a decent rock crawler out of our trucks, you need a solid axle, but you have to go big or the axle won't fit. I may be going bigger than I need to with my build, but it will outperform any other Dakota offroad that has stock suspension still under it!

And you may lose some things, but you gain too! How can you say you lose performance? You may lose racing performance, but who races a big, lifted 4x4? You gain offroad performance! Have an open mind... there are many types of performance vehicles out there. MPG? Really? Maybe some, but if you gear the axles accordingly, you won't lose much! Braking?!?!?! I'm putting 12.5 inch discs on all 4 corners with dual piston calipers up front. I bet you $100 my truck will stop faster 60 to 0 when I'm done with it than yours does! Traction?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Umm, what kind of traction? I'm pretty sure my 37 inch mud tires will tear through some dirt, grass, and mud. The only one on that list I'll give you is handling, but who corners a big lifted 4x4 reallly fast anyway?