i was wanting to know on a difficult level how hard is it to install a 3" body lift on a 98 dakota. and if any of you guys have pics let me know

 

Don't have pics, but body lifts on any vehicle are pretty simple, just time consuming and usually easaier with a helper.

 

i have some questions about this too. i have a 97 extended cab. i did the lift on my ram myself. it was actually easier than expected. it just required a welding of an extension piece on the shift linkage. is this required on the dakotas also?

 

I would think the weld would depend on the lift company. I have seen a lot of them for the Daks that come with an extension for the linkage, so there should be no need to do any welds.

Here is a link to one that has the extension....
http://performancelifts.com/cgi-bin/cart/PER693.html

Here's the web site for them......
Home page

 

THAT IS THE KIT THAT REQUIRES WELDING. IF YOU LOOK IN THE BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE PIC, THE PIECE RIGHT BELOW THE L-BRACKET, THAT IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE WELDED IN PLACE IN THE SHIFT LINKAGE. IF YOU HAVE A ONE PIECE STEERING SHAFT YOU WILL NEED AN EXTENSION THAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE KIT. IF YOU HAVE A KNUCKLE IN THE STEERING SHAFT IT WILL EXTEND BY ITSELF.

 

now mine is a automatic 2wd do you think there will be any welding involved with the lift with this type of truck?? and when i do this do u think it'll be any problem with putting 33" tires on it. i was kinda worried there might be a lil bit of rubbing maybe. any one have this problem?

 

there will be welding required on the automatics. the 33's should fit with little or no trimming. the height usualy isnt the problem its how wide of tires you want to put on there.

 

with the welding. is it the extention on the steering column that has to be welded???

 

i've been reading up on the body lift idea and refering back to the tech notes at performance accessories . com and no where did they say that welding woudl be required. even for the automatic. any one else have experience with this????

 

its not the steering column that needs welded. its the shift linkage under the hood that goes from the side of the tranny up to the steering shaft. this linkage is what controls your park, reverse,nd21. when you raise the body you have to extend the linkage. its very simple and should not deter you from doing the body lift. mine took about 5 hours from start to finish.