have an 05 dakota 4x4 with 4.7 and 77K miles. my mechanic wouldn't install my leveller kit when we were replacing tie rod ends last year cause he didn't think he could get it aligned right after. is this a problem? I need ball joints now and would like to do it this time. also, anyone use Moog ball joints? i don't think i want to go OEM on any front end part. should i do the struts now? they are still ok but i wonder how much longer they will last. thanks

 

All MOOG, +leveling kit + monroe/rancho strut

 

Moog is the best, at those miles I would replace what you can within your budget with moog. As for alighnment, you won't have any problems. So many people here have them with few complaints. Just don't go any higher than 2". There are 3" ones out there but only for 2wd. The CVs will tear themselves apart at 3" but alignment still isn't an issue. Alignment is only an issue for lowering more than 2"

By the way, if you are still on OEM struts at 77k then don't hesitate, get some monroes, ranchos, or kybs the oem struts on our trucks are made of turds.

 

As FrenicX said, alignment won't be a problem. 2.5" is the highest you can go on a 4x4. Don't forget to post pics of your truck once its installed

 

welcome to the forum. like these guys have said. 2" kit should be no problem. thats what I am running. I would inspect the tie rod ends and struts if your going to have it apart for ball joints. Check the sway bar end links. A lot of people break these, mine are fine so far. Post up some pics of your truck or raven will come along and give you one of these....

 

Sounds like you have a good, trustworthy mechanic.

Thats not sarcasm either, I am being serious.

 

Agreed, just because he was wrong doesn't mean he didn't have your best interests iin mind
A mechanic that wants to save you trouble and money is hard to find.

 

I've picked up the components that I think I'll need for installing a leveling kit and re-doing the front suspension and will start that once we get a couple of days of warmer weather here. The 2" leveling kit has approximately 1" spacers to give you the 2" lift - this tells me that the angles have changed, so I intend to get an alignment after the installation. To me, that's cheap insurance - the alignment cost is a lot cheaper than tire replacement.

 

thanks for the quick replies. actually my mechanic is a good friend of mine. he was just afraid it wouldn't work and he'd have to charge me a lot of labor for nothing. i did outer tie rod ends and tires at 62K, sway bar end links at 70K. and i think i need the EGR valve as i get a code intermittently. anybody know how long the moog stuff is lasting?

 

If the OEM stuff was moog quality, I think it would outlast the truck if maintained properly as they are greasable.