3rd Gen Dakota 2005 - 2011 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 3rd Gen Dakota.

Level lifts - What do you guys think

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-28-2009, 12:48 PM
ridingmark's Avatar
ridingmark
ridingmark is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gatineau, Qc, Canada
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Level lifts - What do you guys think

Hey guys,

I want to buy a level lift kit for my 08 Dakota. Couple of questions...

What do you guys think of kits like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/05-06-07-08-09-DO...item3356e5683c

I know that lots of you guys installed the Trail Master one. I went on the website to find that it is not a 2'' level kit, its more like 1.5''

Need some advice!

Thanks!
 
  #2  
Old 10-28-2009, 01:12 PM
dodgetrucker75's Avatar
dodgetrucker75
dodgetrucker75 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: live oak, ca
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

i put one on mine that is very similar, no problems and a lot cheaper, the TM kit installs different and is a lot more of a PITA to put in, i would save your money and get this one

here is the front of my 08 with just the leveling kit

Picture496.jpg

then body lift and another inch up front

Picture007.jpg

Picture006.jpg
 
  #3  
Old 10-28-2009, 01:21 PM
Q-TIP's Avatar
Q-TIP
Q-TIP is offline
Professional
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Calgary AB, Canada
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by ridingmark
Hey guys,

I want to buy a level lift kit for my 08 Dakota. Couple of questions...

What do you guys think of kits like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/05-06-07-08-09-DO...item3356e5683c

I know that lots of you guys installed the Trail Master one. I went on the website to find that it is not a 2'' level kit, its more like 1.5''

Need some advice!

Thanks!
That looks almost identical to the Trailmaster one, a bit more lift and probably easier to install. However I would caution against more than 2 inches in the front if you have a 4x4 as it puts a lot of stress on your CVs.

And the .5 inch difference from 2 inches is really negligible, might let you clear a pebble. The ONLY way to gain real clearance is bigger tires and you don't even need a lift for 265/75R16s.
 
  #4  
Old 10-28-2009, 09:15 PM
ridingmark's Avatar
ridingmark
ridingmark is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gatineau, Qc, Canada
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Oh really, I didnt know that you didn't need the lift for that size of tires. I just bought, today, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 265/75r16 so they will fit even without the front level kit correct? No rubbin?

As for the level kit, would the one on ebay bolt on top of the strut or on top of the spring? really hard to say from what I can see.
 
  #5  
Old 10-28-2009, 09:19 PM
ridingmark's Avatar
ridingmark
ridingmark is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Gatineau, Qc, Canada
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And also, have you guys seen the Daystar one? Looks like a good bang for buck... what do you guys think?
 
  #6  
Old 10-28-2009, 09:55 PM
sleds's Avatar
sleds
sleds is offline
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ridingmark
And also, have you guys seen the Daystar one? Looks like a good bang for buck... what do you guys think?
That is the one that I am running. No problems so far.
 
  #7  
Old 10-29-2009, 06:45 AM
Racinartist's Avatar
Racinartist
Racinartist is offline
All Star
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Dirty Jerzey
Posts: 987
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Dodgetrucker, just wondering...

What, if any, difference have you noticed in the ride and/or handling of your TRX with a leveling kit installed? I bought one of the over the strut setups when I had my 05 but never got it installed before my truck got trashed. When I bought my 08 TRX I emailed the place I bought it from and they recommended not installing it saying they felt the ride would be too harsh with it on. Any feelings/input on your overall experience since you put yours on? Thanks
 
  #8  
Old 10-29-2009, 11:01 AM
Q-TIP's Avatar
Q-TIP
Q-TIP is offline
Professional
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Calgary AB, Canada
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by ridingmark
Oh really, I didnt know that you didn't need the lift for that size of tires. I just bought, today, Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 265/75r16 so they will fit even without the front level kit correct? No rubbin?

As for the level kit, would the one on ebay bolt on top of the strut or on top of the spring? really hard to say from what I can see.
Those exact tires did on mine, I still installed the 1.5 inch kit for insurance (wheel turned, big bump) and because it looked cool. However I don't think I needed to.

And from what I can gather by looking at it, it would bolt to the top of your strut, then bolt to your truck. You will have to turn the strut backwards to make it work but that is a non-issue.


And Racinartist, I have noticed absolutely no decrease in the ride quality on my 09, not even a little bit stiffer from what I can gather.
 

Last edited by Q-TIP; 10-29-2009 at 11:04 AM.
  #9  
Old 10-29-2009, 11:03 AM
MonkeyWrench4000's Avatar
MonkeyWrench4000
MonkeyWrench4000 is offline
Record Breaker
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Ive had both types at one point, I wouldnt recommend either. But, you gotta do what you gotta do the get the lift you want.
 
  #10  
Old 10-29-2009, 12:10 PM
popsnbeer's Avatar
popsnbeer
popsnbeer is offline
Captain
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ft. Worth
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i want pics of the duratracs when you get them on. I have been eyballing those tires for a few months now.
 


Quick Reply: Level lifts - What do you guys think



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:26 PM.