I got into an accident a little while back and still have to look out the window everyday to stare at my beaut of a dakota, so i decided i just have to fix her up! its a 94 dakota with the 318 and i want to fix the front end then do a couple things (lift, tires, rims, bumper etc) but im kinda stumped on a lift i want to go with. i want to go big or go home and i have found some 5.5" lifts and i think an 8" aswell and i dont know how far i should actually go, im thinking 5.5 with a 2" body... to much still???

 

I don't know what kinds of lifts you found, but I'm sure it is not for the 1st Generation Dakotas. There was a 4in suspension lift and a 3in body lift both are no longer made. There is a 2in body lift and you can easily get 2in suspension for a good 4in lift. That is about it with out going crazy and cutting and welding, doing a 100% custom lift.

If you really want to go big or go home do a SAS. That is what I did I got a good 12-14in lift.

Check the FAQ2 for all the lift tips and links. It is just a few posts above this one.

 

Thanks Crazy, i have been doing alot of thinking about a SAS i just think atm i don't have enough time on my hands, trying to get a solid daily driver going to last me a couple years so i think im just going to have to stay in the mid range for now. But for that SAS how long did that take you roughly? With all the customizing etc.

 

I thought 1-2 months tops. It turned out to 6 months with little time to work on it stretches it out. Cash wise I set a budget of $1,000 when all done it came out to $2,500.

 

Ya alot of stuff seems to be like that. Well i think this spring/summer im taking on the big old task, a SAS. so i have a couple questions. first off, what would be the best source of getting a Dana 44 and all the accessories (tie-rod adjusters and ends & track bar etc) and i heard they might be inforcing a law to do with "If your headlights sit __" off the ground you will have to lower your vehicle". talked to my supervisor about it and he said they are probably only going to inforce it through inspections. mind clearing a couple things up for me? Thanks!

 

The best source of parts depends on your plans. Change both axles, go with coil springs 3 link 4 link, leaf springs ect? How heavy of axles you planing 1/2 ton 3/4, 1 ton axles? How big of tires? What type of offroading? You going to stick with the trans+transfercase?

If you just want a simple build one simalar to mine will do. I got my Dana 44 front from a 89 Jeep Grand Waggoner. Its leaf sprung with a driver side drop same width as our trucks 6 lug. I kept my Chry 8.25 for now.

If you want all out (Go big or go home) follow 95318SLT SAS high pinion Dana 44 out of a 70's Ford, 14 bolt rear end IIRC. 4 link coils all 4.

 

That ford's diff would be nice! but i am not looking for an extreme off roading build, i'm mainly doing this swap for a sick lift, gonna be my daily driver. I would like to do a decent mount of off roading. I want to put a dry box in it with tools, and nothing else would be in the back except for like camping stuff. and i would like to run 33x12.5's. and with that ford. it has all around coils? and for money wise i would like to stick with my stock t-case and transmission but if it's cheap i would totally be down for an upgrade.