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Raised / Lifted Dakotas
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boilermaker52
GenII
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2/14/2007
20:26:10

Subject: Tips for 3" BL Install
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I found a great deal on a PA 3” body lift and will be installing it next week. I am trying to accomplish the unheard of task of completing this project without a trip to Sears or other tool/parts store. I have a standard garage jack, jack stands, metric and standard sockets and wrenches. Is there anything else I’ll need to get this done in one day without a trip?

My other question is what do I not need to do according to the directions. So far I’ve found tips like:
1. Don’t need to weld the shifter extension (use link and all-thread)
2. Don’t need to remove the fuel filler.

Is there anything else? Thanks guys. End goal is to fit BFG AT 33x12.5x15s under this 2000 Quad Cab 4.7L with stock rims.


JB

dalton
Dodge Dakota
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2/14/2007
21:26:06

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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ok you want a few short 2x2 or 4x4`s to help jack up your body when you use the jack.
A grinder would be nice with a zip cut blade ,to cut fan shroud.Also spray wd40 on all your body mounts and bolts being changed out.Do that a week before.READ your instructions a few times,and best to follow in order.
CHEER`S AND ALL THE BEST.
Have a buddy give u a hand..
DALTON...



tips
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2007
11:22:06

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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The lower radiator hose extension does not fit. Go to the local hardware store and buy a 3" piece of pipe to fit into the inside diameter. It will save you alot of time and agravation. I tried flipping the hose and the fan was still to close. The pipe cost me $5.00.



bigbrew
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2007
01:33:46

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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i want in on this post too, just ordered a pa 3" for my 02 qc, i already have the blocks in the rear, think i need to crank the bars a little more to level out truck i have 32's on now but im goin to 33's, ordering a flowmaster 50 series also to go out under the bumper with duals, should i install the body lift before the exaust or wont it matter?



tips
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2007
16:13:41

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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Install the lift first. The hieght of the exhaust to the body will change when your finished.



boilermaker52
GenIII
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2/26/2007
21:23:35

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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Lift is done. About 10 hours total for my Dad and I, no special tools required. We had a few hiccups which I'll post once I get my notes put together. Tires fit great, no rubbing. My profile pic is the updated look.

JB

bigbrew
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2007
23:08:22

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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boilermaker....would love to see some more pics, and hear about the headaches too so im prepared, i have to wait for 2 feet of snow to melt before i can install mine but im buying everything i need a part at a time..Bl, exaust, cai, tires so when it gets nice i can go to town. hope to hear from you soon...thanks bigbrew



boilermaker52
GenIII
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2/27/2007
20:28:46

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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Here are some tips when installing the PA 3” BL. I installed the kit #60043 on my 2000 Dakota Quad Cab.

Tools I wished I had: box-end metric wrenches, compressor with air tools.

Step 4: Remove rear bumper – you remove the bumper with three bolts, it is not very clear in the instructions but after that you actually remove the support bar from the bumper after you take the whole thing off the truck. The kit brackets replace the support bar on the bumper.

Step 5: Fan Shroud, this is a pain. Once it is off it is easy to cut if you use a power tool, I used a sabre saw and it worked just fine.

Step 7: Driver’s side frame rail. Just unbolt the assembly from the frame. Once the truck is lifted you’ll use a bracket to reattach the whole thing back to the frame. The kit bracket was too big. I made another one that was about 1” shorter than the supplied bracket.

Step 9: Fuel filler hose. Like others have said, not necessary to remove anything. Just be careful and watch as you lift to make sure it all flexes correctly. Mine was fine.

Install the kit.

Step 9: Steering extension. This is tricky. I needed to file both ends of the kit extension to make it fit. I used a hand file. Be sure to not pound the extension into place, the metal is soft and you’ll warp it. Double check the extension is on the correct way for it to fit right. The bolt on the extension was facing the opposite way from the original bolt.

Step 10: Install fan shroud. I needed to use the hose extension to get the right clearance from the fan. I had no problems with the supplied extension and clamps. It was a little tricky to get the extension in place but with an extra set of hands and a screwdriver we got it to work.

Step 11: Battery. All cables were good, no extension was required.

Step 12: Install Front Bumper. Install the C-clamps on the truck first. On the bumper itself, we needed to adjust the brackets on the bumper out a little to accommodate the outer brackets that would be mounted to the frame. We mounted the outer brackets to the bumper (no washer on the bolt holding bracket to bumper) and then the bumper to the truck.

Step 16: Transfer case linkage. I had a friend weld this into place. We only added about two inches of an extension. The length from pin to pin pre-lift was about 5”. After the lift I measured and it looked like only about 5.5” was needed for the new length. You actually need a little bit more for the new angle that the shifter and transfer case needs to shift it. One end of the linkage is adjustable so as long as you install the extension such that you can still adjust the length between the two pins you’ll be able to adjust the distance to ensure the shifter works correctly. Once adjusted, my shifter is a little aft of the 2WD setting when is 2WD, but I have full use of the shifter from 4WD HI to LO.

That is IT! The rest of the directions were OK.

JB

bigbrew
Dodge Dakota
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2/28/2007
13:01:06

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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just got my flowmaster 50 series delta muffler today, cant wait for the body lift to get here and the snow to melt so i can get this thing installed and get the exaust on, then i just gotta get some tires and im golden



bigbrew
Dodge Dakota
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3/05/2007
00:21:20

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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boiler....got my bl today and i read through the directions....how did the ground wire thing play out, any problems with them??



boilermaker52
GenIII
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3/05/2007
19:53:37

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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Extensions were not necessary. We removed the bolts from the firewall, lifted and then rerouted or bolted somewhere else as necessary. Wasn't that big of a deal.

JB

bigbrew
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2007
00:43:08

RE: Tips for 3" BL Install
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boiler...i know this may be a bit of a crazy request but im installing my bl soon, gonna go do it at my buddys house...air tools...i was gonna take care of some of the preliminary work first, like the fan schroud and the lower hose and get it out of the way, is there any way you can take a pic of your lower hose so i know where to split it that way i can elimanate some work that day so we can just get to the blocks, is there anything else you think i can take care of before hand??? if you could e mail a pic to jbrewst5@nycap.rr.com i would greatly appretiate it.....thanks jim



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