yes I am beating this horse again. I know its been discussed, but I cant find any yes or no info. I am considering longer control arms and wondering if the ram CAs could reasonably be made to fit. A little welding/cutting is fine. Why ram CA's? In hopes that the ram CVs will accommodate the increased length and still flex at appropriate points. AFAICT the splines are the same and both knuckles fit both stubs. Long arm 4x4 needs longer CVs and the ram's are 2 1/2" longer, but very affordable and easily replaced. I am more in doubt about the CAs. If they just need some thought and a new mount that is doable. I am not trying to huck this thing, but I would like some more travel and front end articulation.

All for helpin out with the dirtfab project too! might just get some cheap parts and see what's what.

 

using the truck builder sticky, I have determined that the frame rails are almost the same distance apart (dak is slightly wider!), yet the trac wdth is 5+" wider on the ram. We cant assume that the difference is all in the CAs but the wheel backspacing is very close. The knuckle could account for some, but they are probably similar because king pin angles and scrub radius are tame I am sure, being oem stuff.

 

it is a very similar setup on both trucks. the knuckles are way bigger which may account for some of the extra width. I'm not sure about the mounting. quick look at rock auto shows them to be very similar. i couldn't get dimensions on the parts though. It would be interesting if the parts would fit on the frame side. our knuckle might need to be reamed out to accept the RAM ball joints (again, no dimensions available quickly, maybe someone has the specs and can check). Definitely the strut mount looks completely different. so a new bottom mount might need to be fabbed, unless there's a RAM strut with the right length and travel available. the top pocket on both is the same if i remember correctly.

 

If your going long travel, the strut mount is the least of your worries because youll be running coilovers with a hoop. Essentially the ram and dakota are the same. Dodge was so cheap they didnt redesign the wheel to make a smaller truck. They used as many interchangeable parts as they could get away with and then just shrunk them in CAD to fit our frames.

AFAIK the arms from the ram wouldnt bolt up to our frame due to the bushing spacing difference...but dont quote me. If any of you are bored and get a ram lower CA take your truck apart on the weekend and find out. The spindle is also a little taller I think which will throw off camber and scrub and mess with anti dive geometry on our frames (not like anyone is racing and needs to worry about dive lol)

Anyway. The perfect combination I can forsee would be. Ram arms and ram cvs. With dakota spindles. Custom shock hoop. Cut and weld tabs on ram lower to accept heims that the coilovers use....the big hold up would be the fitment of ram arms on our frame tabs...

 

Yes, that. Sooo... Depending on which way you want to move the front end, you move the fore or aft CA mounts and hope that between the two trucks you can make the bushings work.

There may be a discrepancy between how much bigger the CAs are and the axles, length-wise, no? The dak frame is .7" wider although the track is 5.2" smaller than the ram. If the CAs make up the 5.9" difference, than that means the CAs are 2.95" longer each whereas the ram axels are appear to be 2.5" longer. Sounds like new mounts would solve that issue too if there is one. (there always is!) Are new frame mounts and CO mounts easier than fabbing CAs? Guess I am going to the salvage yard! You guys are looking at 06-08 ram 1500s, right?

 

But you want longer control arms and typical long travel setups are "3 overs" which means 3 inches wider per side so if the ram arms are 2 and some change longer. Then that would be perfect. And cvs plunge so you have some room to work there.

making new control arms to fit your frame is always easier unless your building a tube frame to race then making mounts is easier. And always choose to move the spindle centerline forward so you dont run into firewall rub with the tires. With a tube front bumper you won't have to worry about tires hitting up there. Plus the added wheelbase makes for a nicer ride over whoops

 

I am trying to keep the wheel base short, that's why I don't want fool size trucks. I will move it forward though, if the firewall doesn't budge. Great advice, thanks. Goin to the used lot at the dealership with a tape measure! 06--? are all the coilover a arms the same?

I already cut the fenders and front bumper. Seems like I could stuff 35s now (I am leveled), but not if the tires stick out an extra 3". Is that going to look funny? It looks good but I am having trouble posting pics-- every time I post one it bumps the last one I posted offline.

I like your steering kit, but they will be too short if this project works.

I was hoping to have a little play with the axels, but I here stories of people not being able to fit axels that are just slightly longer, even though they are supposed to be OEM. We will try it! Thanx for the help guys, be on the look out for grabbable ram parts!

 

Youd only be extending the wheelbase by about an inch...

and were updating the steering kit and those can be made in any length.

 

update:

the arms will fit. technically. the ends of the arms will fit between the frame flanges. the bushings are not going to fit per say, but it appears some sort of aftermarket/factory blend of bushings and spacers will be possible.

the uppers are approx 1" longer. the lowers are approx 4" longer. the knuckle is around 2" taller, and the distance between the UCA and LCA at the frame is only slightly taller (.5"). LCA strut mount appears identical, and I think the bushing is the same part #.

Gonna need drawings and mock ups. Geometry could be potentially undriveable. it appears that if the LCA grows 4" and the UCA grows 1" than excessive negative camber will result. Considering some adjustability for the upper at the frame mount flange. Trying to avoid using the ram knuckle yet.

 

i have been looking into this for a long time as well. mostly because i can not find a decent lift for the 3rd gen so this was my next thought. my father in-law has an 08 ram 1500 and by the looks of things, the front strut assembly would bolt right in to the daks lca and give aprox. a 3.5" lift. i thought about the ram ca but also thought about the lifted control arms from airbagit.com for the 3rd gen daks. any1 have any experience with them? either way i think its always gonna be a puzzle getting some parts from her and others from there but eventually it may work with little problems. im in ontario so for now, gotta wait till spring. too f*ckin cold out right now.