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Raised / Lifted Dakotas
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Rivalry
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2005
23:29:32

Subject: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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I am looking to get my '99 Dakota Sport, 3.9L V6 lifted. As of right now it's basically full stock with the exception of a 40 series Flowmaster muffler.

These are what I am looking at:

Fabtech 3" performance lift (second one - http://www.fabtechmotorsports.com/applications/dodge/2wd97-03_dakota.html )

American Racing Baja Chrome wheels ( http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=WHE&prodline=3072&catName=WHEELS&man=ARE )

Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radial tires ( http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=TIR&prodline=3244&catName=Tires&man=MTT )

The questions I have are these :

1. What are the biggest size tires I can run on my 3.9 V6 without a massive loss in power?

2. Is there another lift kit I should be looking at instead of the Fabtech?

3. When it comes to picking wheels, what do you have to look for when it comes to BS, bolt pattern, size compared to tires, etc? I'm trying to avoid any kind of wheel adapters.

4. If I have any more questions, I'll post here.

Thank you much guys, it's extremely appreciated.



rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2005
19:20:25

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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1- I wouldn't run more than a 32 tire
2- there's a kit from doestech that is cheaper but doesn't have the balljoints and the add a leaf for the rear or shocks ............
3- us and durangos are the only ones with the 6x4.5 bolt pattern , so the choices are limited. I have a set of ae 589's 15x8 for sale , Im in california ..................



Rivalry
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2005
20:23:39

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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Running 32's wouldn't make my truck run at a slow crawl, right? I imagine that some mods could help out my power, but what ones are the most efficient at doing so?

Price is not really a problem here - I am looking for the best buy and best quality. I don't want anything crappin' out on me a month after I put it on. So, when it comes to lifts, I am getting a suspension lift definitely, but should I add a body lift on top of that? Is it safe, or am I just setting myself up for something to break?

It looks like I may end up with some adapters, then. Are adapters an add-on item for most stores or is there a place I have to purchase them seperately? And I live in TN, don't think the shipping is really looking good for that.

Thanks for the help.



PurpleMonster
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1/19/2005
20:04:29

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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I have a '98 cc 4x4 v6 with a 3" body lift and 33" baja claws. Wouldn't recommend the setup. First of all, the tires rub on frame (our daks can't take any wider than 11.5" wide tire without spacers or proper backspacing), and even though my truck rolled stock with 3.92's, this truck will not move up hills. VERY slow. However, as a point of interest, I bought my baja claws, 5 of em, for $250 with 25k highway miles on 'em off my buddy. I was p.o.'ed that he ripped me off because these tires were close to bald, but it was worth every penny just to see his explorer sport trac, with 7" of lift and brand new 33" trxus m/t's, get yanked out by his old tires not once but twice! Bada$$ tires!



Rivalry
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2005
22:50:00

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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Anyone else?



terraDAKtyl
GenIII
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1/24/2005
19:00:48

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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Purple Monster(SAm),
Curious since we have the same trucks and I'm currently in the market for a body lift...Is it the 33" tires you don't recommend or the 3" body lift. Would 32's be ok? thanx

1998 Forest Green Club Cab, 4x4, 3.9 V6 with 175,000 miles.

justin
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
00:08:41

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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TerraDAK
175,000! that's sweet have you had any major probs? I have a 97' v6 with 80K and nothing yet. i pray i make it to 200K with no majors!



skilter
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2005
02:47:19

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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1. for the 3" fabtech suspension lift i would go w/ 31" tires, 32
at max... but w/ 31's you wouldnt have to worry bout rubbing.
2. if u have a 2WD dak i would only suggest the fabtech because
it hasnt given me any problems so far (20k miles and goin
strong, 2" suspension lift) if you have a 4x4 i would suggest the
Rancho lift.

*if you still think u may need some added power, i installed an
under drive crank pulley to my v6 which really helped off the
line, i can keep up w/ most anyone... if i really wanted to... u
could also down the road add an intake-i would suggest an
Airaid because they are reusable and u can use the K&9
recharger u can usually pic up @ checker or napa then be sure to
get an throttle body spacer, mine is made by Poweraid (same
makers of Airaid) these 3 mods really helped w/ gas millage and
performance.

hope this helped, -don



PurpleMonster
Gen III
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1/25/2005
07:58:27

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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terraDAKtyl, here's the problem with a 3" body lift and 33" tires. The tires themselves require very little body trimming, you may have to dice the font bumper a little, but its plastic and if youre careful you can't even tell. I got the 33's mounted and balanced and threw them on, and while they don't rip up my body they rub on frame bad enough to the point that I have to re-rustoleum the area it rubs once a month, because it gets worn down to bare metal. Wheel spacers would cure this, but then the tires would rub on the body most likely. But the problem lies in the fact that you get used to your truck with 33's, and it seems like blasphemy to "downgrade" to 32's. I couldn't even contemplate putting the stock 31's back on! I'd say go with a 32"x11.5" tire before you get proud to have 33's and have problems because of it.



Rivalry
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2005
22:43:17

RE: Help with lift - tires, wheels, etc
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I am solving this problem by going with a 3" suspension and a 3" body lift. 33's shouldn't be *any* problem now.



Kelvin
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2007
06:55:57

Kelvin
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"Hello, very nice site! Please also visit my homepages:



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