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Don Curley
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
14:38:48

Subject: Will 32x11.50R15LT BFG AT KO's Fit??
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Message:
I'm new to the board and I've got a question for anyone out there. I have a '99 Dakota Club Cab Sport 4x4 with the 1800 pound payload rating option, along with the "Sport Plus Group" (which includes 15"x8" wheels and 31x10.50R15 Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires). With these stock tires showing some wear and with winter conditions upon us, I want to put a new set of BFG All Terrian KO's on my truck. However, instead of going with the same size, I'd like to move up to a set of 32x11.50R15LT tires. I know I'll suffer a bit of low-end loss with the larger diameter tires, but my main concern is fit and clearance in the wheel wells and particularly with suspension components. I got under my truck and turned full lock-to-lock on the steering, and it seemed to me that I had enough clearance to stick the 32's in there without rubbing against anything (and BTW, I don't use this truck for any really heavy-duty off-road use ... I have a Jeep TJ for that).

Has anyone else gone with 32" tires without doing suspension or body lift mods on their Dakota? Please let me know any potential bad news about this move, as I am about to bite the bullet and purchase a set of the 32's. (And I know I'll have to regear the speedo as well).

Thanks in advance,

Don Curley
La Sal, Utah



Bill Shea
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/28/2001
14:47:50

RE: Will 32x11.50R15LT BFG AT KO's Fit??
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Message:
Don,

When I picked up my '00 Dakota, the first thing I did was ride on over to the tire shop and replace the goodyears with a set of 32 X 11.5 BFG KO's. No rubbing at all, but I also got them to turn up the torsion bars at the same time. That was alomost two years ago and she was perfect (until two weeks ago when it was stolen)

Bill




Don Curley
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/28/2001
15:16:15

RE: Will 32x11.50R15LT BFG AT KO's Fit??
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Message:
Bill,

First off, I'm really sorry to hear about your Dakota being ripped-off ... what a bummer!

But I do have a follow-up question for you based on your reply. I am mostly used to dealing with coil and leaf springs, so this will no doubt come across as a newbie question ... but what purpose was being served by having the tire shop "turn up the torsion bars"? Does that in effect "lift" the front end somewhat? If so, does that adjustment impart any other negative effects (e.g., to the ride characteristics, suspension travel, etc.)? Also, do you know how relatively much they tweaked your torsion bars?

Thanks in advance for the additional info.

Don



DeaPee
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/28/2001
18:31:57

RE: Will 32x11.50R15LT BFG AT KO's Fit??
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Message:
Cranking up the torsion bars will lift the front end of the vehicle by as much as 2 inches. There are no negative effects such as ride or steering. The only thing I can think of that is negative is the alignment. It screws up the camber and messes with the alignment. I know people who cranked their torsion bars and bought a lifetime alignment for their trucks -- they go back every couple of months and get it re-aligned.

Now, I've also seen people who swear they haven't aligned their truck in the past 2 years since they cranked their bars and they still have the same, non-rotated, tires on it -- I guess it all has to do with how you treat it (and the individual truck).

- Dave
- 01 RC SLT 4x4 3.9 BLACK



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