suspension differences
#1
#2
In 2000, the Dakota switched from a Saginaw steering box to a rack-and-pinion, and the balljoint design was changed a bit as well.
IMO, I think the pre-2000 dakotas are better. But maybe I am just Bias againts rack and pinion, I think that system has no place on a truck.
There should be 97-99 lift kits available, its 2000+ that are hard to get from what I understand.
Just dont go with an incomplete kit, like a leveling kit. You want a full kit that drops your front diff, takes care of ball joint angles and the like. Your 98 dakota has great clearance right at stock ride height. Us third gen guys wish we had THAT, let alone a lift kit.
IMO, I think the pre-2000 dakotas are better. But maybe I am just Bias againts rack and pinion, I think that system has no place on a truck.
There should be 97-99 lift kits available, its 2000+ that are hard to get from what I understand.
Just dont go with an incomplete kit, like a leveling kit. You want a full kit that drops your front diff, takes care of ball joint angles and the like. Your 98 dakota has great clearance right at stock ride height. Us third gen guys wish we had THAT, let alone a lift kit.
Last edited by MonkeyWrench4000; 05-22-2009 at 11:09 AM.
#3
you might be right about the balljoint design, im pretty sure the control arms are different
im a big fan of rack/pinion over the box since they handle better and are easier to maintain
#4
#7
i think i need to get a 4x4 so i know how they work too haha
rckbrk ive got 119K on mine and the steering has never been a problem everything is still tight as a fleas butthole