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BlueDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
17:25:33
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 Subject: Solid Axle Swap kit
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I am currently designing a solid axle conversion for the 97-03 Dakota. I was thinking about selling the kits once mine is complete and vigorously tested. The kit would be a 5 link coilover kit in the front and would use either larger springs or drop brackets in the rear The kit would include everything needed for the conversion minus the axle and the coilovers. If you are interested please email me at sflickin@calpoly.edu or just repond to this post. I am a Mechanical Engineering senior at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Ca and this is my senior project. I already have a suspension company that is willing to make mine and would make more of them if the demand is there. Also how much would you be willing to pay? I think there is a demand for a well designed conversion kit. I am looking to this project into a job and open my own shop that does custom suspension work. I have owned my Dak since 99 and it is about time we get some good options for suspension and lifts.
-Sean
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ian
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
17:48:56
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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i would totally be in. as for the price, i would have to see the product to estimate it's value. the reason i say this is because no matter what your kit comes with, there's going to be some serious welding involved. this being said, i'm not sure exactly what you can prefab that won't need to be made later or customized for the specific axles/springs used.
if it were me doing what you're doing, i would try and sell the weld on brackets, track bars, trailing links, and professional installation instructions.
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born2steel21
GenIII
4/22/2003
20:19:45
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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I think its an excellent idea...as far as price, let your product do the talking :)
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Bluedak
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
21:51:23
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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Don't worry guys, this product will be top knotch. The parts that I plan on including are; the coilover hoops (bolt-on), the four link bars, the bracket for the link bars to the frame (bolt-on), the weld on brackets for the coliovers,fourlink and panhard rod, and the panhard rod. Also all bolts, nuts and any other fasteners will be included. I will also include detailed instructions and recomindations for what axles, coilovers and other parts that I used for my instalation.
Sean
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rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
23:02:46
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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2wd or 4wd ???????
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BlueDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/22/2003
23:59:04
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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The kit will is for 4wd Dakotas but you could use it on a 2wd and not connect the front driveshaft. As far as I know once the original suspension is removed everything else is the same.
Sean
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ian
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
00:06:49
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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as you describe it, i would be in in a heart beat.
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tickel24
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
01:43:03
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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if it will work on my 2001 2wd, i'm in for sure. how big of a life are we talkin here 4"-8"?? i'd really like to fit 35's or even 36's easy
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Bluedak
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
09:14:02
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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Sorry i forgot to talk about the steering. The specifics depend on what axle you go with but in general it will be a cross over steering stetup with a drop pitman arm. I am also thinking about using a hydraulic assist for use with larger tires. In terms of my credentials I am not a PEng, I am just an Engineering student, however my advisor on the project is a PEng and worked with Ford for 9 years. Also the suspension comapny I am working with on the project has years of experience. The kit will will be designed using computer simulations and Finite Element Analisys as well as good old hand calculations. I would not try to sell a product that I thought would fail. I have seen what people like Knobbyman go through when a kit is not designed to meet the customers expectations and I will not let that happen. This should answer most of the questions I have been asked.
Sean
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BlueDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
09:17:39
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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The kit will have adjustable components so you can varry the hight of the vehicle. I am shooting to be able to fit 35-36 inch tires with out a body lift and 37-38 inch or larger tires w/ a body lift.
Sean
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Perpetrate
GenIII
4/23/2003
11:39:35
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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When you get it done I would like to come down there and check it out. See whats involved with the conversion and maybe see it in action at Pismo. I would love to have 37's and a chevy bolt pattern.
Have you sold your 3" rancho kit or are you waiting to do the conversion first.
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BlueDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/23/2003
11:55:08
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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I have not sold the kit yet but I will need to sell it or have someone willing to buy it when I take it off.
Sean
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Dodgeguy
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2003
03:47:10
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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When you plan on getting rid of the 3in rancho kit what would u be asking for it?
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BlueDak
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2003
14:56:38
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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I will be selling the kit in June and would like $800 for it. The kit is in great condition and so are the RS9000 shocks.
Sean
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Sharpscooter
Dodge Dakota
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4/26/2003
15:10:08
|  RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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I have been thinking about this for a long time. Mine is a 2001 4wd Quad Cab. If the kit turns out to be the quality of the Off Road Unlimited Chevy Conversion, count me in. I am willing to pay for quality and a real front locking diff!
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Fox
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2004
02:43:43
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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Wow, I was actually just looking this up on google and ran across it here :P I know this is old and all, but I would be in, considering I was searching for the info on what is needed to do and such. Its been more than a year now, is it done yet?! The prospect of good push-button lockers in front and back is great. Not to mention the coil-overs in front, thats unexpected; very awesome. Have you thought about doing some kinda of rear-coilover conversion, for perhaps desert racing? Im sure that group would love it. Or does someone already make that?
-Fox
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Bluedak
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
12:34:07
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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I have finsihed the original kit. It came out great but I found that it was not to practical to make and sell. I am currently working on a one-piece subframe that would allow the front and rear to run a four link coil-over setup. I will post updates when I have them.
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Randy
Dodge Dakota
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12/31/2004
14:02:18
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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Have you got pictures of your truck?
List of parts?
I need to get more clearance between my diff and the oil pan of my Isuzu diesel.
Thanks
Randy
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Fox
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2005
21:16:52
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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Do you have any pictures of the kit? I would like to do something like that myself...and Im trying to gather as much information as possible...and what you have would be lots of help :)
-Fox
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Bluedak
Dodge Dakota
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1/11/2005
18:15:15
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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Here is a link to some pics of the truck. These pics do not include the new subframe I am developing for the suspension nor does it include the rear 4-link converison
http://dodgetruckworld.tenmagazines.com/mygallery.ten?id=3348
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dakotadave
Dodge Dakota
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1/11/2005
20:04:42
| RE: Solid Axle Swap kit
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where did you get the 4-link converison kit at. I live in florida and have a 01 c/c 4x4 and would like to do the same to my truck.I also have a 79 ford 4x4 chassie that i'm got to use for the axles so if you could hook me up that would be cool
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