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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/02/2002
16:28:15
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 Subject: solid axle
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Message:
i am close to having a web site ready geared twards offering solid axle crossmembers/conver-sions for dakotas and other things to make your dak better off road. i have done this to my 93 with great success and have done a lot of studying and fitting on 97 and ups but have never had the opportunity to actually do a gen III. i cant afford 2 trucks and am still paying on the 93 for 1 more year. im into helping the do it yourselfer or doing complete projects. i want to know if this subject interests you guys in general or if anyone wants to specifically be involved. im in ohio, so that would have to come into consideration. i am a competent fabricator and am a knowledgeable 4x4 guy so you dont have to be scared. let me know what you think.
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/02/2002
16:34:20
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
by the way i think a 2x would work just about as well.
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Kevin
Dodge Dakota
1/02/2002
21:17:15
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Hey man, more power to you! That is cool that you want to offer a solid axle on the Dak. It could sure use one! If I weren't a broke college student I would want to buy a solid axle kit. Good luck.
Kevin
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josh
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
15:26:44
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
ok man i got 1998 2wd ext-cab with a 3" body lift that i've been wanting to convert to a solid axle 4x4. i would like to put a dana 70 (in the rear) and a dana 60 (in the front) for the platform and run either 36" or 38" tires.so if you could answer these questions you would greatly help. where could i find those axles? what trany do i need (ax-15 or NV3500)? would a Jeep tranny and transfer case work or no? how long dose it take to do a convertion? how much did it cost you to do yours? how much would cost me (est. price range)? once again if you could answer these questions it would greatly help.
thanks
josh
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
16:48:27
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
you have many options still. first lets talk about the t case. if your trans is in good cond i would consider a divorced case as this would greatly reduce the cost or at least parts searching involved.(this always depends on the deals you can get,search,search) and also will leave more stock. this will keep it as reliable as it is now and make servicing your truck like a factory vehicle from the trans up. the other best option keeping overdrive is to get a trans fron a 94 and up ram or 92 and up dak. the ram might have a 241 case instead of a 231 from another dak. this is of little consequence since the dodge 231 is a good case. if you dont care if you have overdrive there are even more options. the option i chose is even different than these because of the axle i already had, a right rand drive pre 94 dana 60. i have to go to town for a little while so think about all that.
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92dakotahd
GenI
1/03/2002
16:55:55
| RE: solid axle
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I was curious, where in OH are you and how much would it cost in your opinion(just ballpark) to conver a 92 Dad CC 2x to a 4x4 and to your knowledge what are the differences between the two (2x and 4x) in terms of the front susp. Thanks for any help.
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
19:03:04
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
the differences in ft susp are not huge, but also not important. the bare frame, which is what you get down to, is the same, which allows a bolt on front crossmember to go on just the same. the price is impossible to say with out discussing your prefrences and uses but more importantly your ability to find desirable parts cheap. there out there. i find good cheap donor trucks and parts all the time. ill help anyone i can. im in central oh sw of columbus.
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
19:51:49
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
im back, i think that will help you understand some of the t case issues. basically you have lots of choices, even to switch front outputs from the left to right, although this is easier with the divorced case than a married case but not impossible because thats what i did. this opens your front axle choices to almost anything. however there are different choices i would reccomend over others based on experience, performance and any neg reprocussions. at this point it might be good to consider the availibility of the front axle of choice. for example, you may want a dana 60 but cant find one for a good price right now but can find the dana 44. if you use the right 44 it will be an easy swap when you find a 60. f 350's have ft 60's and so do some f 250's. the year grouping 44 will bolt in place with very little effort or labor involved in the swap later. the same thing goes with dodges, all leaf sprung trucks are ft axle interchangable right down to the brake lines. some othe axle options are availible but would require a little more work readying them such as 94 and up dodge axles. they would need leaf spring brackets installed. same with 78-79 f 150's and broncos. although coil spring susp that comes with these axles would work but i havent spent as much time developing this.
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/03/2002
20:58:30
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
just another note. your choice of 36-38's is just fine. my truck started with 38's, then lowered for 35's, then trimmed for 39.5's and hopefully 37 swamper/bogger comb somewhat permenently. i think i want to make sure the 39.5's will still fit. a lift for as small as 33's would not be too difficult but much smaller would be hard. not that any of you guys would want less than 33's if you did this.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
01:52:33
| RE: solid axle
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hey darrell, since the 97 threw 2000 2wd model daks have spring buckets bulit in the frame for the front suspenion. now does that make it any easier, or no? i know the Jeep TJ(97-2000) has arms that are atached to the axle. would this work with a coil spring convertion? i think this would work a whole lot easier than cutting the frame, reboxing it up, making the spring pirtches, and so on and so worth. and wouldn't you think it would make it faster in completing the process of converting the truck? i'll try to send you some pics of my 2wd suspenion set-up if it would help you realize what i'm talking about.
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Brent88
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
13:30:28
|  RE: solid axle
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Message:
hey darrell, do you have a web site? i'd really like to see what your truck looks like with the axle and whatever tires your running now. if you dont do you think you could send me some. i've got an 88 sport w/ 31's and im contemplating the axle swap w/ ford axles.
thanks
Brent robertsgroup@narrows.com
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
16:12:25
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
my pics are all on a friends computer right now cause he's the one doing the website. its not ready yet but close. ill get some to send though.
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
16:27:10
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
i did look under a genIII 2x today and i see what you mean. i really had only spent time on 97 and up 4x's and the genII 2x's are what had looked at to see if a 2x would work. they are almost exactly the same. i dont think the coil mounts would work very well because they are designed for ifs and are very low and close together, as in, inside the franerails instead of outside. i would either leave the frame how it is or just trim it flat on the outside and reinforce it with an arched piece of flat steel. still a fine canidate just an extra step involved. the coil set up i like the most is from the late 70's 1/2 ton ford. i almost went this route with mine. the parts from this truck have many advantages and can be found cheap. instalation would work well.
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josh
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
16:42:18
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
so can't you modify it so that you use coil springs or is it to much work?
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
1/04/2002
16:59:21
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
yeah coils would still work i just, most likely, wouldnt use the buckets that are already on the truck. my 1st option would be to use leafs, 2nd choice 78-79 f150 & bronco coil frontend. the tj/ram set up is a 4 link and uses a frame set up just for that. not that a 4 link is bad but not cost effective.at all.
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Albert
Non Member
JOIN HERE
1/08/2002
01:18:24
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Ive got a 91 dakota with 3inch body lift and 31's
i would like to be kept up to date or informed by any website where i could buy an affordable dana60 rear axle and a (solid) front dana 44 axle. with these axles i plan to lift with custom leaf springs and add d**k cepic fun country 44 inch tires or super swamper boggers but i favor for sand more than mud. any info on which tire would suit me?? please e-mail me with any information about my needs.
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tj
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/23/2002
15:59:48
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
darrell is your web site finished yet need help woth my 92
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darrell
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/23/2002
23:09:28
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
not yet but clos..er. e mail me. ill help you all i can. feel free. darrelljreese@hotmail.com
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rbelardi
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/21/2003
22:46:35
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
I have a 97 Dakota with a 60 in the front and a ford 10.25 rear . If you have any questions e-mail me.
rbelardi@att.net
Rob
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dakdude
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/22/2003
07:48:59
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Wow , it`s almost been a year since someone last posted here.
Darrell...got that web site up and running yet?!
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bruizer
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/19/2003
23:43:45
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
hey rob. i've emailed you a few times with no response. you sent pics but haven't heard the details yet lorne from canada
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rbelardi
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2003
20:20:34
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
If anyone would like to see my solid axle conversion to my 97 Dakota. It can be seen at http://www.siblingrivalry.com under viewer's rides it is on the top right.
Rob
rbelardi@att.net
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Brent88
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2003
21:58:50
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Sweet ride Rob. Now you cant just show us a pic of a truck like that without telling us everything about it... so... lay it on us man. Later
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Brent88
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2003
22:06:10
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Well i guess that if i click on the words instead of the pic ill get the info... DOH!!! Oh well, beautifull truck man. Later
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darrelljreese
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/05/2003
11:47:48
| RE: solid axle
IP: Logged
Message:
hey guys im the one who originally posted this message. ive been really busy. but thats not the main reason ive not posted the site. i have still never done a gen 3 dak yet like robs(truck looks great rob) so i have not wanted to advertise what i can do without showing it. my purpose in doing this was to make a kit or starter kit for someone to do their own dak in their own part of the country. ive seen plenty of them done but they are generaly very custom and do not help anyone else out exept to show that it can be done. so i guess im saying i need a truck to do. i thought i would have done another one for myself by now that would have the site going but i havent. so besides the parts that we would be necessary id do the instalation work for free. all i need is a gen3 dak to be set up for leafs(ill do a coil kit later)that wants to spend a little time in ohio. let me know.
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john
GenII
6/05/2003
20:44:09
| RE: solid axle
IP: Logged
Message:
I have been interested in doing the axle swap for some time but didn't know how to go about it. I see that you live in ohio. You wouldnt happen to be going to the dakota meet at speeds in Columbus on the 21st would ya? Check out dakotatrucks.com for some info on the meet.
http://www.speeds.cc/
92 CC 4x4 318 http://www.cardomain.com/id/opus30,
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/mygallery.asp?id=4234
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darrelljreese
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/06/2003
08:03:13
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
illtrytogo
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Dragon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/06/2003
11:17:56
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Hey rbelardi,
What kind of axle travel you got with that rig?
C'mon, man! Spill the details!
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Rijajum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/06/2003
14:23:20
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Darrell, I don't know if I missed it, but did you ever make the kit for Gen II. I have a 94 dakota 4x4.
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rbelardi
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/08/2003
21:53:52
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
I really dont know what the wheel travel is. The truck is strictly a pavement pounder and a daily driver therefore it has very stiff anti-sway bars in the front & rear. If they were removed I guess it would have pretty good travel. If you have any more questions just e-mail me directly.
Rob
rbelardi@att.net
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Shifting ??
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/08/2003
23:45:24
| RE: solid axle
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Message:
Are you able to shift into 4x4 within the cab or do you have to get out of the truck and engage the 4x4 at each wheel ??
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