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13:49:11 - 03/28/2024

Raised / Lifted Dakotas
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mailee
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2008
12:22:05

Subject: lift help needed
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ok, so i know with having a 2wd ppl are gonna be laughin at me...but here's the deal, i was givin a set of tires and rims off a 99 darango...brand new tires, less than say 50 miles on them! here's my problem. original tires were 235/75r15, new tires are 265/75r15 and they are rubbing. tried to get one of those kits that u put the block in the leaf spring to raise the rear end, here's the problem. my leaf springs are under the axle. what complications would i have moving the leafs to the top of the axle? also, have heard that this would lift the rear end itself but how much? and how much modification will i have to do or what trouble would i have involving this? I don't' want a huge lift...just about an inch or two to accommodate the tires. thanks in advance for the help






tbrock
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2008
23:34:06

RE: lift help needed
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you can use add a leaf for the rear, but not the blocks. They also make shackles. As far as putting the springs on top, it will lift the rear about 4 inches



other bill
Dodge Dakota
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2/27/2008
11:50:02

RE: lift help needed
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I don't think Add-a-leafs will do much but make the ride stiff. Since the leaf pack is already under the the axle, and the added leaf goes to the bottom of the pack, while it own't lower it, it will surely stiffen the ride. On the cheap you should be looking at the possibility of shackle extensions. Depending how the rear portion of a 2wd leaf spring attaches to the frame, you may be able to buy longer shackle extensions (very popular on street cars in the 70s). Otherwise you are looking at re-arched (aftermarket) spring packs, air shocks, or removing the rear end, cutting off the spring pads from the bottom of the axle housing and relocating (re-welding) them to the top of the axle housing. This HAS to be done properly to ensure your driveline has the proper angle to avoid binding (snapping U-joints) and that your rig 'tracks' straight. It can be done, it's just best if done by someone who has a mechanical background...and knows how to weld.



rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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2/29/2008
00:23:05

RE: lift help needed
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add a leaf cost about 50 bucks and will lift 1.5 to 2 inches



Walt_Felix
Dodge Dakota
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2/29/2008
08:52:11

RE: lift help needed
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[QUOTE]add a leaf cost about 50 bucks and will lift 1.5 to 2 inches[/QUOTE]

Not on a 2wd! Bill is correct, the axle sits above the spring pack on a 2wd. so adding leafs to the bottom of the springs won't accomplish anything other than stiffening them.



rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2008
00:46:46

RE: lift help needed
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walt , I respect you alot , I know you're one of the oldest posters on this board , but what you're saying is not correct . Even if the leaf is on the bottom , underneath the axle , putting an add a leaf will lift the back . My 2wd is like that and on the front I have the fabtech 3" . Look at the other post with the guy that bought the doestech kit . For the rear on the pic it has add aleaf and say it lifts 2" . My truck has the add a leaf since 01 . The arch of the leaf makes the lift , sure it's stiffer than stock but it's not ruff at all , specially with the plush set up stock . It will help what shock you use in the rear also , I have the adjustable ranchos on 2 and it's pretty good .



rivermaniac
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2008
00:49:06

RE: lift help needed
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what you can't use is blocks that for sure will lower the truck .................



dkr8611
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2008
13:41:13

RE: lift help needed
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The Fabtech Add-a-leaf causes the leaf springs to curve more. That raises the truck.

You can also get Chevy 1500 Lowering shackles to RAISE the Dakota.

I have both.



Walt_Felix
Dodge Dakota
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3/21/2008
09:33:39

RE: lift help needed
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I hadn't thought of it that way but it sounds right. I suppose with the right AAL, it'll arch the springs more. I was going by my experience because I used the Trailmaster AAL (on my Dakota years ago before any others were available) and the AAL was near flat. It didn't really add much arch to the springs, just a slight amount plus the thickness of the AAL itself. I only gained about an inch. No big issue now, when I have time to get back to my Axle Swap project, I wont have the rear leafs anymore.



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