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josh
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2004
15:37:03
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 Subject: air bags in the rear.
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Message:
ok here is what i want to accomplish:
i want a better ride in the back, but i want to keep all my towing and hualing capiblitys, and i would like to keep around the stock height. if i could raise or drop it beyond the stock height when i wanted to that would be awsume.
so could this be accomplished with air bags?
thanks
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GAbe
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2004
01:35:12
| RE: air bags in the rear.
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Message:
You can use airbags to float the axle and exceed your towing capacity. That is what airbags are used for. They also keep your suspension from bottoming out while under load. Air bag suspensions are one way to raise and lower the suspension but the entire stock suspension has to be redesiged to lower it below stock, however if done right it can keep the suspension from ever bottoming out.
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GAbe
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2004
02:12:41
| RE: air bags in the rear.
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Message:
You can use airbags to float the axle and exceed your towing capacity. That is what airbags are used for. They also keep your suspension from bottoming out while under load. Air bag suspensions are one way to raise and lower the suspension but the entire stock suspension has to be redesiged to lower it below stock, however if done right it can keep the suspension from ever bottoming out.
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GAbe
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2004
02:12:48
| RE: air bags in the rear.
IP: Logged
Message:
You can use airbags to float the axle and exceed your towing capacity. That is what airbags are used for. They also keep your suspension from bottoming out while under load. Air bag suspensions are one way to raise and lower the suspension but the entire stock suspension has to be redesiged to lower it below stock, however if done right it can keep the suspension from ever bottoming out.
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WipLash
R/T
2/29/2004
10:43:48
| RE: air bags in the rear.
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Message:
The airbag is easy to install. Go for it. That's what I'm getting ready to do.
Also, if you want to lower the rear a little bit and soften the ride at the same time just remove one leaf from each side. That will drop it about 2" and the suspension will be much softer. Then all you have to do is pump up the air bags to get the height back up or above where it was.
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00R/T CC
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2004
11:05:15
| RE: air bags in the rear.
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Message:
Wip: Removing just one leaf will drop 2"?
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WipLash
R/T
2/29/2004
12:55:30
| RE: air bags in the rear.
IP: Logged
Message:
Well, I know adding a leaf raised me 2" on my 87 D100. Results may vary. You're garanteed 1/4" since that's about how thick the leafs are. It will also vary on which leaf you remove. It will also vary depending on if you have a CC or RC. The CC weighs 300lbs more than the RC. Most of that weight is on the rear. If you remove the bottom leaf you won't get as much of a drop as the 2nd from the top. If you get too radical you will experience wheel hop (axle rap). The leaf springs are the only thing on these trucks keeping the pinion aligned with the driveshaft. They make a kit to fix that problem also.
If you have a little money to spend, take the leaf assemblys to a reputable spring/suspension shop and have them de-arch the springs 2". I had a set re-arched for $75.00.
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WipLash
R/T
2/29/2004
13:28:54
| RE: air bags in the rear.
IP: Logged
Message:
I guess I should have also specified which leaf to remove.
You can't remove the top leaf obviously. Although it is possible, it is not recomended to remove the bottom leaf. Anytime you remove or add a leaf you should do it to one of the middle leaves. The reason you shouldn't remove the bottom leaf is because it is the leaf that is most responsible for preventing axle rap. It also has the alignment holes drilled in it for centering on the axle tube. The biggest drop will be noticed if you remove the leaf just under the top leaf. It will also give the softest ride. The best part of this modification is that it cost nothing. Of course you won't be able to haul anything unless you cough up the cash for some air bags.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/29/2004
16:45:46
| RE: air bags in the rear.
IP: Logged
Message:
thanks alot for all the info!!
whitch bags do you guys like the best?
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WipLash
R/T
2/29/2004
17:17:18
| RE: air bags in the rear.
IP: Logged
Message:
I use Goodyear bags because I get them at cost through my job. If you go that route you have to fabricate your own mounting brackets. It's easier and about as cheap to buy the kit. JCWhitney sells a 2500lb rear set for 87-2004 daks for $175.00. It doesn't include a pump. That's another $200.00. You will have to use a portable 12v compressor to air them up everytime you want to use them or pull into a service station that has free air.
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