Just bought a 2005 Dakota SLT 4x4 V8. It is totally stock at this time. The tires (on stock wheels) are 255/70-16's. At some point I thought I would like to lift just a bit, no more than 2". Would a leveling kit work for that? On my old Chevy I got a couple inches lift by installing an add-a-leaf on the rear and tweaking the torsion bar up front. Doesn't look like the torsion bar on this truck can be used that way. If a leveling kit works, who makes a quality unit for the Dekota?

 

Nope. No torsion bars. Coil spring spacers. Don’t go over 2” with 4x4 or you will destroy the front end. If more, you will need a diff drop. Spacers are all the same and do the same thing. There’s not one better than the other really. Only thing is metal ones will rust eventually. The lower strut bolt is a total pain to remove. Welcome to the forum.

 

Sounds like I should just leave the rear alone. It seems to sit a bit higher than the front. I could go to a taller or wider tire then? I will look for Dakota coil spacers. Thanks

 

You can add 1.5” helper springs or blocks in the rear to level it back up. This is mine with 2” spacers and 1.5” helper springs.

Check out this thread for tire sizes/lift combinations

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ze-thread.html

 

Thanks for your help...........

 

Adding a 1.5" leveling kit will let your truck sit level, and the extra 1/2 inch with a 2" kit doesn't allow for any bigger tire than the 1.5" kit.

1.5" Trailmaster leveling kit, and a stock rear.
DBUxIqY.jpg

 

Just confirming............2" is okay ?? Won't cause premature wear to u joints etc. Thanks

 

Any leveling kit will put the front end parts at different angles than designed and will result in some sort of premature wear. How much and when is a crap shoot. My truck was a pavement queen and I blew the drivers side CV boot a month after installing the 2" kit. Some other folks can go for years and miles before anything happens.

 

Thanks "J"..........