Lift kit already here!?!?!?!?!?
#41
02-17-2011 | 09:39 AM
King Jackass
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 5
From: Aurora, CO
This does seem a little fishy. Well, I suppose that we can continue to wait for any type of photographic evidence of existence.
I feel like I have to go to a shrink to get myself over exiting new parts for our trucks. It seems as though I got the short end of the stick when I bought my brand new truck. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dak. But there is nothing out for the 3.7L that goes beyond 3 mods, two companies that make aftermarket struts and shocks, we can only install a body lift to get 3" of lift...and a 2" leveling kit in the front.
I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I think I see a 2011-2012 Power Wagon in my future.
I feel like I have to go to a shrink to get myself over exiting new parts for our trucks. It seems as though I got the short end of the stick when I bought my brand new truck. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dak. But there is nothing out for the 3.7L that goes beyond 3 mods, two companies that make aftermarket struts and shocks, we can only install a body lift to get 3" of lift...and a 2" leveling kit in the front.
I've been thinking about it for a long time, and I think I see a 2011-2012 Power Wagon in my future.
#42
05-22-2011 | 06:14 PM
Registered User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
does anyone saw this kit?
its really a lift for dakotas 2010??
http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/x2-kit4-dk05xx.htm
its really a lift for dakotas 2010??
http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/x2-kit4-dk05xx.htm
#43
05-22-2011 | 06:43 PM
does anyone saw this kit?
its really a lift for dakotas 2010??
http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/x2-kit4-dk05xx.htm
its really a lift for dakotas 2010??
http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/x2-kit4-dk05xx.htm
#45
05-23-2011 | 04:14 PM
Record Breaker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas
#46
05-23-2011 | 04:22 PM
#48
05-23-2011 | 05:31 PM
Professional
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: New Milford, CT
Those of us who do search for stuff before asking often find missing images & broken links & stuff.
Case in point:
2-inch Above-Strut Lift Install DIY
Should we start an outline or list of topics that a "Gen3 Lift FAQ" ought to include?
- Above-strut vs. "intra-strut" options (which vendors offer what, pros and cons of each, how to choose, how to install)
- Rear lift blocks (Vendors, preferred materials, when to use, tapered or not, impact on other suspension mods like air bags)
- Air Bags (Air Lift vs. Firestone, others, combining with add-a-leaf/helper spring or blocks)
- How much lift required for which size tires, other issues (trimming, CV and U-joint longevity)
- Makes and model #'s of stock (and longer-than-stock) rear shocks
How's that for a start?
#49
05-23-2011 | 06:17 PM
Sure.
Those of us who do search for stuff before asking often find missing images & broken links & stuff.
Case in point:
2-inch Above-Strut Lift Install DIY
Should we start an outline or list of topics that a "Gen3 Lift FAQ" ought to include?
How's that for a start?
Those of us who do search for stuff before asking often find missing images & broken links & stuff.
Case in point:
2-inch Above-Strut Lift Install DIY
Should we start an outline or list of topics that a "Gen3 Lift FAQ" ought to include?
- Above-strut vs. "intra-strut" options (which vendors offer what, pros and cons of each, how to choose, how to install)
- Rear lift blocks (Vendors, preferred materials, when to use, tapered or not, impact on other suspension mods like air bags)
- Air Bags (Air Lift vs. Firestone, others, combining with add-a-leaf/helper spring or blocks)
- How much lift required for which size tires, other issues (trimming, CV and U-joint longevity)
- Makes and model #'s of stock (and longer-than-stock) rear shocks
How's that for a start?
#50
05-23-2011 | 06:18 PM
Professional
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: New Milford, CT
Here's some of what I've learned recently:
Feel free to copy/cut/paste any of that if it should prove useful.
I also have an article I wrote years ago on driveshaft vibration, cross-cardan U-joints (vs. CV joints), equal and opposite joint angles, joint phasing, etc. It's not Gen3-Dakota-specific, but parts of it might well still be useful in a FAQ discussion of lift blocks, whether they should be tapered or not, etc. Let me know if I should share it and with whom. (Edited: Heck with it. The article is here. Feel free to use as much or as little as you like if you think it useful and worthy.)
Air Lift brand "Ride Control" airbag kit is #59555. MSRP is $326. The going street price as of 5/2011 is $215-250.
Installation instructions PDF
Air bags should NOT be relied upon to achieve static, all-the-time lift. Get your truck level and at the desired height by other means first. Air bags will RESTORE that desired static ride height (whatever it ends up being) when the truck sags or squats under a temporary increased load, like towing a trailer or hauling a camper.
The Air-Lift kit installs between the leaf spring and the truck frame. That dimension is unaffected by the use of lift blocks, so no adjustment to the air bag mounting brackets should be required. The use of "helper springs" (aka "Add-a-Leafs") or custom/re-arched/swapped leaf springs WILL change the spring-to-frame dimension, and bracketry modification WILL therefore be required.
(I'm not familiar with the Firestone option, how and where it installs, etc.)
Installation instructions PDF
Air bags should NOT be relied upon to achieve static, all-the-time lift. Get your truck level and at the desired height by other means first. Air bags will RESTORE that desired static ride height (whatever it ends up being) when the truck sags or squats under a temporary increased load, like towing a trailer or hauling a camper.
The Air-Lift kit installs between the leaf spring and the truck frame. That dimension is unaffected by the use of lift blocks, so no adjustment to the air bag mounting brackets should be required. The use of "helper springs" (aka "Add-a-Leafs") or custom/re-arched/swapped leaf springs WILL change the spring-to-frame dimension, and bracketry modification WILL therefore be required.
(I'm not familiar with the Firestone option, how and where it installs, etc.)
Daystar 2-inch Above-Strut Spacer Kit is part #KC09107BK. Street price on this kit as of 5/2011 is $120-150. Many pages and vendors state that this kit is for 2006-2011 Dakota, but the Installation instruction PDF indicates that it will fit 2005 as well.
This spacer is made of polyurethane rather than steel or aluminum. (Up to you to decide whether that's an advantage or disadvantage.)
This spacer is made of polyurethane rather than steel or aluminum. (Up to you to decide whether that's an advantage or disadvantage.)
Blocks (rear) and above-the-strut spacers (front) will not change the spring RATE. That is, the spring will still compress/deflect the same amount per pound of load as before. Ride quality should remain similar to what it was before the lift.
Stouter springs with a higher spring rate (less compression/deflection per pound of load) will make the unladen ride harsher. They will seem similar to the OEM ride quality only if you carry a heavy load ALWAYS.
Above-strut spacer kit installation instructions indicate no other required modifications (e.g., lengthening/relocating brake lines, modifying drive shafts, etc.
Stouter springs with a higher spring rate (less compression/deflection per pound of load) will make the unladen ride harsher. They will seem similar to the OEM ride quality only if you carry a heavy load ALWAYS.
Above-strut spacer kit installation instructions indicate no other required modifications (e.g., lengthening/relocating brake lines, modifying drive shafts, etc.
Strut part numbers:
Rancho RS5757
Monroe Sensa-trac: TS71100
Rear Shock
OEM Specs:
Ext Length = 24.050"
Comp Length = 14.840"
Travel = 9.210"
Upper and lower ends: bushing & sleeve, 1-11/16" bushing OD
Stock Length Part Numbers:
Rancho: RS5315
KYB Gas-a-just: 18193-05081267
Monroe Reflex: TS911277
Monroe Sensa-trac (coilover): TS58650
Gabriel Ultra: GABG63891
Non-Standard Length Part Numbers: (Min/Max)
Rancho RS5147 (14.610/23.070)
Rancho RS999147 (15.060/23.010)
xxxxxx
Rancho RS5757
Monroe Sensa-trac: TS71100
Rear Shock
OEM Specs:
Ext Length = 24.050"
Comp Length = 14.840"
Travel = 9.210"
Upper and lower ends: bushing & sleeve, 1-11/16" bushing OD
Stock Length Part Numbers:
Rancho: RS5315
KYB Gas-a-just: 18193-05081267
Monroe Reflex: TS911277
Monroe Sensa-trac (coilover): TS58650
Gabriel Ultra: GABG63891
Non-Standard Length Part Numbers: (Min/Max)
Rancho RS5147 (14.610/23.070)
Rancho RS999147 (15.060/23.010)
xxxxxx
I also have an article I wrote years ago on driveshaft vibration, cross-cardan U-joints (vs. CV joints), equal and opposite joint angles, joint phasing, etc. It's not Gen3-Dakota-specific, but parts of it might well still be useful in a FAQ discussion of lift blocks, whether they should be tapered or not, etc. Let me know if I should share it and with whom. (Edited: Heck with it. The article is here. Feel free to use as much or as little as you like if you think it useful and worthy.)
Last edited by Brand; 05-23-2011 at 09:19 PM. Reason: Adding more info