I have a 1998 Dodge Durango 4x4. I want Bigger tires but dont want to lift. my rear end is soon to be going. can i just swap a dakota rear axle and leaf's into my durango. reason why i want dakota axle and leafs is because on some of them i notice that the axle mounts under the leaf springs. but on my durango the axle mounts on top. there for i can squeeze bigger tires under the rear. and i already have the front covered by cranking the **** out of my torsion bars. i am trying to get a 285/75R16 stufed under there. i seen a picture of a stock durango with no susp. mods and they fit with little rubbing.

 

that is 33 inch tires, you will not fit them without rubbing on one of these trucks in stock form if you want to lift it try a torsion bar crank in the front (no more than 8 turns = 2 inches, if you go over that you can compromise the integrity of the bars causing premature failure and alot more trouble and money will be spent) and lift shackles in the rear, i wouldnt spend the time swapping a dakota rear and leafs in personally(not for the purpose of lifting it at least), but if you insist on it you should not have any problems doing so.

 

Also remember that you have to match the gearing from the donor truck to yours as there are different gear ratios. Also you durango has leafs under the axle and not over, I think ya got it backwards.

Also you need 2 inchs T/S and 3 inchs body lift to run 33's correctly, and also offset rims by 2 inchs.

 

ok i will look into all this. i had 265/75r16 on there and they fit comfortably so i will have to see on this one

 

Comfortable and safe are two different things.

 

Had Dakota plus 4 on my rig (4" dakota lift spring)- And the largest i could run (safely-still hit w/ articulation though) is 33" tires even with 3"bdy....

 

And there is the beast! ^^^^^^^^

 

THey fit comfortably because that's the stock tire size bud....

 

11 year old thread?

 

ummmhmmmmmm

FYI anyone still watching this, dakota leafs on durango does lift your truck 1.5", they are both axle over leafs, but the durango has a weird S shape to the leaf spring.. Google search/compare them, you'll see the difference.. Im running 3" torsion keys, 3" rear shackles, 3" body lift, 2"wheel spacers, 305.75.16 on stock rims, with dakota rear leafs, welded rear diff.. she fun I tell ya!!