I have been looking at everyones leveling kit installs, and have seen some pics. I see that it is clear to see the spacers, sticking out of the top strut mount plate, however, I cannot see mine, not even if I get down on the ground.

Soooo....

I go to dodge dealer and do some measuring. All the dakotas I measured, from the axle (dead center of wheel) to the middle lip of the fender (or top of the wheel well) measured 20" in front, and 22" in rear. This was consistant for all the stock dakotas I measured.

So9 then I measure mine, 21.5" in front, 24" in rear. So the rear 2" blocks did there job, but the trailmaster kit up front is short .5" That explains why my rake looks larger then a stock truck...because it is.

Can someone measure there front end with the leveling kit installed? Is 1.5" normal out of these kits, or did the shop install mine wrong? Whats different about mine that I cannot actually see my spacers, I can only feel up there for them.

Thanks.

 

I wonder if jacking the rear up another 2" didn't pitch enough weight forward to compress your front springs .5"?

 

^^^ That's exactly what I was thinking as I read through it. I don't think it's a problem that you can't see them though, you would know if they were installed wrong because they would be noisey and sloppy.

 

to hell with it then. I wont tinker with it.

 

If you really want to tinker with it then pull the blocks from the rear and see if it raises the front. That's pretty easy to do and then you can put them right back in. Just in case you are bored!

 

monkey, my spacers are visible, but I'm only getting slightly over 1.5"!? And I cheated mine w/ an additional 1/4" aluminum plate! It should be over2". I wonder if there's something in the suspension geometry or steering or sway bar that is limiting the lift. I am not satisfied. I have made new spacers that are much thicker (11/2" istead of 7/8") We'll see what happens then. all this makessense as far as the front end being stiffer. Theoretically the springs should have the same stiffness; they should simply be pushing the lower A-arm down further,providing the lift. Obviously this is not the case, as the springs are stiffer and the truck is not as high as it should be. Something iskeeping the A-arm from lowering and instead preloading the spring. Clueless. On the bright side, I love the feel of the stiffer front end. sorry so long-winded.

 

Well, yesterday I took the time and switched out my 2" rear blocks to 1" rear blocks. So I measure from axle to top of wheel well, 23" rear, 21.5" front. Looks much more level. The front actually looks higher now. I also didnt realize how topped out my rear shocks were, the truck now rides much smoother. I may post pics when I get a chance. The truck looks less 4x2-ish now that that huge rake is gone.
.

 

Where did you get your blocks? Did you install shock extensions?

 

Hey monkey when you front TMleveling kit came in, did you look at it?? Mine came in the other day and the spacers are just a hair under 1" thick, not even close to being 2 inches. All that came in with my kitwas hardware and 2 metal spacers not sure if there is supposed to be anything else. I don't know how it all adds up to 2" but I guess I'll see when I get mine installed. On my Jeep I had put on the 2" lift kit which was just spacers (like the ones for our trucks)and shocks. Those spacers were just under 2". I have never messed with IFS so maybe it will lift differently.

 

Yeah there only 7/8th of an inch thick 02wrangler. They work out to be a 1.5" lift for most of us. A good difference and worth the $90.

Awasos, I got both the 2" blocks, and the 1" blocks at my local autozone. There aluminum blocks with all the longer U bolts, nuts and washers. No the shocks are totally stock, no extenders.

I dont recommened the 2" blocks, they top out your shocks and you get jarred on the road when you hit some rough stuff.

The 1" blocks for the rear and the trailmaster leveling kit seem to be the best low-cost option for a small lift, and hardly change the stock ride feel.

This setup makes your factory rake 1/2 inch smaller, and lifts the truck 1.5" front, 1" rear. Looks good.