Spring above to below
#11
06-30-2017, 10:11 PM
#12
06-30-2017, 10:19 PM
For a Dakota, even a v8, they're just fine. Albeit, heavy duty off roading I'd probably advise against them.
#13
07-01-2017, 10:31 AM
Easiest ways to lift your truck:
1. Crank the front torsion bars. Alignment is needed asap afterwards. A lot of times, you'll get the max lift that's safe for the front CV axles with stock keys. No need for new keys. Measure each side before and after and try to get them level as possible on each side. You can get 1-3" on the front this way.
2. Once you crank the front bars, get lift blocks for the back axle.
3. If that isn't enough, it's time for a body lift. Easy to do and kits on eBay are cheap. 2" body lift is all they sell, though making a 3" body lift is really easy. Don't go higher then a 3" body lift. It's advised you replace all your body bushings at the same time.
Costs
Cranking front bars - free + alignment charges
Body lift - $100 + your labor (don't go to a shop, being an old truck they'll charge an outrageous price) ((for an auto, the shift linkage needs lengthened, front bumper mounts can be redrilled and moved up, rear bumper mounts would need an extension or leave it alone))
Rear blocks - $20-50
Total lift if all the above is done: 4-6" and 33's clear pretty nice. It's not recommend to go wider then 12.5" or higher then 33" on tires with these trucks because of the weakish hubs. Though some have been running 35's with little to no problem.
I'd leave the rear hanger alone. I see no reason to do it that way. If all this isn't enough, time to learn how to weld and sas swap lol.
1. Crank the front torsion bars. Alignment is needed asap afterwards. A lot of times, you'll get the max lift that's safe for the front CV axles with stock keys. No need for new keys. Measure each side before and after and try to get them level as possible on each side. You can get 1-3" on the front this way.
2. Once you crank the front bars, get lift blocks for the back axle.
3. If that isn't enough, it's time for a body lift. Easy to do and kits on eBay are cheap. 2" body lift is all they sell, though making a 3" body lift is really easy. Don't go higher then a 3" body lift. It's advised you replace all your body bushings at the same time.
Costs
Cranking front bars - free + alignment charges
Body lift - $100 + your labor (don't go to a shop, being an old truck they'll charge an outrageous price) ((for an auto, the shift linkage needs lengthened, front bumper mounts can be redrilled and moved up, rear bumper mounts would need an extension or leave it alone))
Rear blocks - $20-50
Total lift if all the above is done: 4-6" and 33's clear pretty nice. It's not recommend to go wider then 12.5" or higher then 33" on tires with these trucks because of the weakish hubs. Though some have been running 35's with little to no problem.
I'd leave the rear hanger alone. I see no reason to do it that way. If all this isn't enough, time to learn how to weld and sas swap lol.
#14
07-01-2017, 02:12 PM
Join Date: Apr 2017
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When my cvs break I'm going to get lifetime autozone ones when they break take them in and they replace them. Does anyone have any idea if any other dodge leaf spring will fit my dakota.? Like ram 1500,2500 springs any other truck that fits higher I could swap on mine to get lift. Since they don't really make anything for a 1st gen dakota 4x4 it makes it hard to lift it. If nobody no of any comparable springs them I'll get the blocks...
#15
07-02-2017, 12:23 AM
When my cvs break I'm going to get lifetime autozone ones when they break take them in and they replace them. Does anyone have any idea if any other dodge leaf spring will fit my dakota.? Like ram 1500,2500 springs any other truck that fits higher I could swap on mine to get lift. Since they don't really make anything for a 1st gen dakota 4x4 it makes it hard to lift it. If nobody no of any comparable springs them I'll get the blocks...
#16
07-02-2017, 10:19 AM
When my cvs break I'm going to get lifetime autozone ones when they break take them in and they replace them. Does anyone have any idea if any other dodge leaf spring will fit my dakota.? Like ram 1500,2500 springs any other truck that fits higher I could swap on mine to get lift. Since they don't really make anything for a 1st gen dakota 4x4 it makes it hard to lift it. If nobody no of any comparable springs them I'll get the blocks...
