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dr_grrr
Dodge Dakota
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7/26/2004
00:29:04
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 Subject: Suspension Vs. Body
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After spending a half hour chatting with a local custom offroad shop guy I am having a bit of mixed thoughts on the lifting issue.
I have a 1999 Dak sport plus 4X4 318, auto.
yesterday i lost the plastic colour coordinating bumper covers due to my baby dragging her bum like a Dog on a carpet with full anal glands.
The departure Angle needs fixing and fast.
The guy at the custom shop actually was against the susp lift concept in independant front suspension vehicles as it puts the IFS at a slightly down angle to start with and thus limits down travel when articulating. He suggested the body lift rather to keep angles and geometry stock as the engineers at dodge set them and do a 3" body lift to start. This would also expose the sides of the frame nicely in order to simplify the addition of custom Rock sliders.
when it comes down to it, the only susp kit that allows the reuse of stock wheels which I have come across so far is the tuff country. When the tech and the shop owner heard the name tuff country they cringed sligfhtly.... apparantly they repair/replace as many or more of tuff's kits as they install.
People who have gone either way.... please let me know how things have worked out before I put my baby up on the operating table
thanks in advance
Geoff
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scullyways
Dodge Dakota
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7/26/2004
00:47:06
|  RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Message:
The body lift will gain you a bit of entrance/exit angle, but I wouldn't think youd prefer that to a suspension lift. the body lift wont actually raise your chasis, which will therefore allow you to get high centered just as easily. it does allow you to run a bigger tire, which will help get some more differential clearance and chassis clearance, but a suspension lift will do a better job. Didn't you say your truck is a 4X4? you could crank the torsion bars to get another inch or two of lift. With what you wrote, it sounds like you have a 2WD dak because the 2WD have IFS and don't have any decent suspension lifts, but the 4X4 does have good lifts. In any case, I would always sugest a suspension lift over a body lift, but thats just my oppinion. Im not against a body lift by any means, but they are limited in practicality offroad. like I said, their main purpose is to run a bigger tire to gain some off roading advantages. My best suggestion would be to go to another shop. Anyone back me on that?
James
If you want a better analysis of lifts, let me know
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dr_grrr
Dodge Dakota
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7/26/2004
01:52:15
|  RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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welll if y'all think it sounds like a 2wd.....
http://www.hot4x4.ca/albums/album153/aax.mov
they thought i was nuts to try it in the stock dak since the other guys either had battle wagons or lockers front and rear. It is a whole lot steeper than it looks.
So what options are there for lifts which DO allow stock rims after installing?? The tuffcountry is going to run me almost 3000$ cdn once i get it shipped and aligned. Are there any others (decent) out there??
I am leaning towards doing both so that i can put the rock sliders in too... i think 2" heavy box steel tube would work just fine. The rails will also serve second duty as Onboard Air tanks hehe (if you use my idea ya gotta pay me $0.05 and email me pics :P )
Geoff
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Perpetrate
GenIII
7/27/2004
19:13:56
| RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Message:
Well I have a 98 with a 3" BL and will soon add the Rancho lift to clear 35's.
My buddy Forexfour has just the Rancho 3" and we both go off road all the time.
We both run stock wheels and 33's.
My site
geocities.com/ridemoreworkless
Forexfour's site
caoffroaders.com
Craig
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Nero
Dodge Dakota
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8/03/2004
13:52:58
| RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Perpetrate -
Nice Truck. I also have a 98 Dak. Mine is an SLT 4x4 club cab, 5.2L. I am wondering what the pic is of that is on your site, I think it is labeled quick air? What does this piece do?
Also, I am really debating on which lift to put in my truck. I want to make it look extreme while also not breaking the bank or causing un-needed wear on the truck. Could we maybe chat via email, I would love to pick your brain on some things.
Currently the only mods I have done to my truck are 31x11.5 BFG AT's, Power Raid Throttle Body Spacer, K&N FIPK. I play in mud mostly, so I would like to get my baby up in the air to give me some clearence. I have heard mixed reviews on the TC 5.5" lift. What do you suggest?
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NITE WOLF
Dodge Dakota
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8/06/2004
09:53:19
| RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Message:
you can clear 35s with a little bit of trimming in the front with 3inch body lift.
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Steve Calabro
Dodge Dakota
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8/07/2004
21:16:52
| RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Message:
i just finished my 3 inch boldy lift on my 96 dak. it so very easy. i did the bed yesturday and the cab today. i was only 14 bolts(standard cab) and i had almost no problems. the extension for the t case shifter was not the rite size so i filed down the threads a little to make it work, which it did. my front driver side body bolt took about 1.5 hours of convincing to get out, and my tranny shifter would pop out of 2nd and 4th gear until i cut the bottom shifter boot a little. but i would definately recommend the body lift, mine cost me $116 and about 8 hours to do by myself. all you need is a 1/2 inch ratchet, some sockets, 2 jacks, and a 4"x4"x8' piece of wood. by the way, i have the trail master body lift #9340 Steve
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Perpetrate
GenIII
8/10/2004
18:47:38
| RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Nero that is my air compressor so I can put air in my tires when leaving the sand or if my quads have a flat.
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just me
Dodge Dakota
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8/24/2004
13:12:55
| RE: Suspension Vs. Body
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Message:
it sounds like you're starting to get really involved in offroading to a degree in which your ifs will not be able to keep up. and if you're willing to spend $3k on a lift, have you considered putting that towards a sas? this will give you a much stronger setup and will allow you to lift to your heart/money's content. just a thought.
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