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dgepwr
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2002
12:20:04
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 Subject: Hey Joe E.
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Hey Joe, just looking at your truck in the photo album, nice looking truck. It's basicly what I want to do to my daughters 94 2wd. I have a couple of questions. Did you have to add a leaf in the rear, and are those Bushwacker fender flares? I've been trying to get up enough courage to try that Aim control arm lift, but nobody on this site can give me any positive feedback on that company, lifts or drops. How is the ride with the front spacers? Thanks!
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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5/20/2002
11:43:26
|  RE: Hey Joe E.
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All is true above. I do have add-a-leafs in the rear. And now (not in the pict) I have the AIMs 2in lift shackles. I do have the 2in rough country spacers in the front. From the shop, they were very hard to install. They dont ride bad but they are now loosing a bit of lift. I am trying to get abit of $ up to do the 3in coil lift. I also have a 3in body lift by Trailmaster. And those are Bushwacker fender flairs. Highly recomended! I have done some trimming on the metal of the front fenders behind the tires. They rubbed. There has been a posting today about a company in Cali. that might have 2wd GenI Dak lift spindles. I am going to call them today. Keep your fingers crossed. Hope this helped.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2002
08:20:25
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hye Joe E. Nice truck! i just bought the rough country 2 inch lift. it should be gettin here soon. You said it was hard to install? what was so hard bout it? any problems? i appreciate the help. I just bought a 96 2WD dakota and want to clear 31's. Do ya think i could could do this with just the rough country? or dya think i should also add the tralmaster lift, like you did? sry for the hundred quesions but i havnt found anyone else on the board whos installed the lift! thanks alot.
Fitz
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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12/29/2002
08:26:53
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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hey. sry but i got one more question. I was just looking at trailmaster and they have a 3inch body lift for the gen 1, but none for gen 2. Could i install this lift on my dakota with a little modifications? Also, what are the differences in the gen 1 and gen 2 dakotas? thanks again.
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2002
17:13:32
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Gen I Dakotas are from 1987-1990. we have the options of the preMag 4 or 6 cyl. engines. Also, you can tell the difference in the front end. We have a flat front end. All square.
Gen IIs have options of 4,6,or 8 cyl all with the Magnum engines (excpet 91") they are a bit of a mix. old engine, new body style. GenIIs also have a more rounded front end with fluch headlights. It was bowed out due to needing more room in the engine comp. for a crank fan on the V8 engines. The suspensions are basically the same with a few minor rearrangements with the steering and brackets. A few people have modified the Gen II suspension lifts from trailmaster, 4in, to fit their Gen I 4x4s. Just need the metal working tools to fab a few things. Walt felix is a good one to ask bout that.
About the rough Country spacers. My local 4x4 shop got to deal with them.I guess the springs where hard to compress. While keeping the spacers in the upper coil mounts. But they got it done. They also extended all my hoses and stuff. The 2in was not a big jump, I could have moved up to a 29in tire or something. Not much change, but it looked alot better than stock. Then after the body lift, 3in trailmaster 4x4, I could run the 31s. But I am loosing lift now. I believe the spacers are wearing or my coils need to be replaced. So I am in the hunt for a spring shop to make a custom 3in extended coil, with the spring rate of a stock V8 dak, and the compassity to hold a 318 engine up without loosing lift. A 318 is going in soon.
Make sure to get a full front end alignment on the dak after the 2in spacers go in. I waited about a week before doing mine and really shortened the tread life on my tires. If I think of anything else to help, Ill send it.
Have a good one.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/01/2003
14:12:12
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Wow. thanks for the info! i dont know if ill be installing it myself or get a shop to do it. I was wondering if you have any other pics of your truck? Send them to Strella@att.net . also, im planning on fitting 30's with the 2 inch lift. Ya think i could clear that? thanks alot!
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2003
17:19:54
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hi again. Sorry for the delay, just got a new ISP today. Old one was terrible.
Well, about the lift, dont know if you could run 30s with just a 2in or not. I know I couldnt. But it really depends on the status of your springs. Mine are shot. Im looking for a new set that are upgraded for a V8 engine and 3in lift. All I can tell you is to install tyhe lift, and then find a local tire shop and go try on some tires. Thats the best way to go. Good luck and Ill try to find some picts to send to ya. Later.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2003
19:32:03
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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I was wondering how much your shop charged to install the 2 inch spacers, the add-a-leaves, and the shocks. I've gotten quotes of 250-350 bucks. Thanks.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/03/2003
22:44:02
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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My shop charged me $200.00 even. But another $40 was tacked on for new rear axle U bolts, and a few other extras. So your $250. is about right. I wouldnt go with the $300+ shop. No need for that much money. Also, expect for it to be about a day in the shop. They had a little trouble getting mine in so it took longer than the 4hours they first told me. Good Luck and inform me on what you decide and definitly send me a few picts of the finished product. joelliott82@hotmail.com
Nice talkin to ya again. Until next time.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
09:20:58
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Well I'm saving up for the 250 bucks for the shop to install the lift. Im almost there, but ill be sure to email you some pictures of it.
I've been reading around these boards and some people have gotten 3 inches off of the 2 inch coil spacer. Did you get this? Thanks for all your help.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/06/2003
18:03:24
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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To be honest with ya I dont know. I dont believe so. But my stock springs are shot. So the 2in spacers that are on there maybe only gave me a inch or a bit more. So I am hoping that the new coils I get will give me back all of the stock coils height plus 3in whole inches lift.
I think spending the extra cash to get a shop to install it is great. Youll be happy in the long run. Talk to you laer.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2003
20:26:26
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Well i found a shop that said they could charge $325 for the whole thing. Thats as low as i can talk em down. Also, i remember you saying you were buying AIM lift arms? What are these and do they have it for my, 96 2WD? Thanks alot, and good luck and your 318. thats gotta be sweet.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2003
21:16:28
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey man, its worth the $325 bucks. From what my mechs said, it was a bugger to install. I paid $240 for the install itself. I paid another $160 or something like that to Rough Country for the lift parts. Good Luck and please shoot me some picts. Later.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2003
20:30:48
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Well i took a look at the AIM webpage and saw 2-10 inch hanger lifts? They were for 87-96 2WD dodge dakotas. What does this do? It says it installs at the top of the leaf spring but i have no knowledge of hanger lifts.
Also, you said before you have the AIM 2 inch lift shackles. On the webpage it says Use Only After Truck Raised W/Front/Rear Hangers. Thanks for all your help.
-Fitz
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lilblackdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2003
20:40:37
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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joe where did u get ur trailmaster? i have a 95 2wd and want to get some altitude and some meat on them (actually 31-32 isnt meat but hey) would the 3" body, 3" control arms &spring from aim, and a 2" coil spacer work?
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2003
21:30:43
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey yall, whats up? Hope everything is good. I am! Friday is here. Just 1 more day of work, no more college till next week. Chillen time...
About the AIM tuff. Do at your own risk. People here dont really like them. I do have their rear 2in shackles. My pict here on this site is before them. They fit fine after a bit of expanding. I had to bend out the shackle ends abit to make it easier for me to install them. I could have taken to a shop and all that troubl but I did it in a few hours. They hook to the rear springs at the rear of them. About the hanger kits. They are for the front of the leaf springs. It will drop them another 4 inches. But no need cuz no one makes a lift large enuf for the front of our trucks to be able to use a 8in rear lift or so. Plus, you need an air chizzle and plasma cutter to get the old ones off. Not worth the hastle.
blkdak, I got my Trailmaster 3in body from one of the reguar parts people, 4 wheel parts, or something lke that. Its listed for only 4wd daks, but with a steering extension, and a fan shroud drop, no problem. Ive had no problems. AIM makes a 3in susp lift. Dont know on its good bad points. I have looked into getten it. but I hesitate cuz of all the bad stuff I hear about. You can do the 3in susp., or 2in spacer lfts BUT NOT BOTH. Our daks stering cant handle all that altitude. I wish i was that easy. I am hounding them to make spindles. 3in true lift, no other changes, no bad sides. Just bigger meats. But for 2 years, all I have gotten was "They are commen". good luck and talk to you later.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2003
07:35:22
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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joe e- how did you install the 2 inch shackle lift without the hangers? are the shackle lifts for just the front or the front and rear?
And do you have any pictures? send em to strella@att.net. But now i have to wait till my exams are done befor i have the lift put on. but ill shoot ya some pics. thanks
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2003
17:33:00
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey. Well i've decided to go on getting the 2 inch PA lift also. But they say i have to get my steering shaft extended. Bergeson Universal said it'd be 300 dolllers for a custom made one. i was just wonderin who made yours and how much did you pay for it? thanks.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/17/2003
23:01:28
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey Fitz. Look man. I have done been through this. I called borgeson and all that stuff. But in the end, my shop took car of it all. Tey basically took a shaft outa my steering, and replaced it with a 3in longer shaft. No big whoop de do, or any money. Just a quick, simple fix that your shop CAN do. Just tell them.
The hangers on the rear suspension are usable in boths ways. With the stock shackles, or with the 2in lift shackles. They say you have to have them, but trust me, you dint. I have it done on my truck right now. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise.
Ill look up the picts I got of it. Might be a few days. But Ill try to get them, or Ill take new ones. Later.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/18/2003
08:52:12
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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aight thanks joe. have a good one.
-Fitz
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
14:08:21
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey. Well my trucks in the shop right now getting getting the lift put on. But the guy said there was a problem with the spacers not fitting, even after the coils were fully compressed. He had to trim the coils so ill only get a 1 1/2 inch. But he said my dak will run like a tank it'll be so stiff. Thanks. cya.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/27/2003
20:27:36
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Yeah the guys at my shop said the same. But they did getem in. Took a while tho. Glad to hear you got your truck at a shop. Think of tryen to install it yourself... Id Be a pain. Send me some picts asap ok. Cant wait to see them. Good Luck and have a nice one.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
08:55:03
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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But did you get the full 2 inches out of the front? Well im picking it up today and then im geting some BF Goodrich All-terains. A grill guards also coming today so ill get ya some pics when everythings done. thanks.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
15:14:45
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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To tell you the truth, I was a complete novice when I had that lift installed. I didnt measure anything from the before/after clearence. But maybe from allitle math I can come up with an approx. What were your before measurements? I can measure now what it is and subt. 3in body lift and get a number.
As for your truck. Sounds like its moving along nice. Cant wait to see it. Are you using stock wheels or not? And what tire size you gonna run? Later.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/28/2003
20:41:07
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey. well i forgot to measure it before i put in the lift. But the point is my daokta now looks like a mother fukin truck! lol.
I got 30 by 9.5 inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires that i mounted on my stock rims. They rub a little but only if im trying to make a very sharp turn. But the Truck does run like a tank. You can feel every little bump it hits when your driving. But o well, it still looks sweet!
Well iI'll get you some pics once i get ahold of a digital camera. Ill get it done. Thanks for everything. Have a good one.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
00:31:05
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Yo Fitz, good to hear you got it back. So it looks sweet huh? I cant wait to see it. Get a camera ASAP! Man, I must have a wierd truck. I got the same lift, with all the spring and spacer. With a 3 in body lift and can still hear rubben with finder trimmem! Im looken into getten the 3in AIM coils. Imk sick of the rubben everytime I back up a full steer. But Im glad you got your truck. And its whole. Later.
Joe E.
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
17:58:45
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey. well i sent you some pics. But in case they dont work chek under the thread in the raised dakotas sectoin that subject is: GenII Pics. or something like that. I have a link there that has some photos. But the pics dont show the tire tread or the height real well. But they both are nice.
tell me about these 3 inch coils. I am trying to find another way to lift my truck thats not to expensive.
-Fitz
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Joe E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
19:14:01
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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OK man. Thanks. Ill check my email later.
Joe E.
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Israel
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2003
10:59:22
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey! i am also another genII dakota owner wanting a lift right now but with it being 2wd it is real tough. can you email me some pice so that I can see what my truck would look like with the mods that you got. Thanks!
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Fitz
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2003
11:45:15
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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Hey Isreal. Ya get a lift. Gen II 2WD stock look so wimpy. Do you have a reg or ext cab?
K, the pics are at http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/markboy252/lst?.dir=/Dakota+Pics
I took them on a rainy day so its kinda bad, but my truck looks sweet. Im running 30 inch All Terrains and they rub some. But the looks make up for it. The lift is as you read, a 2 inch suspension lift from Rought Country. Unless you got spring compressors an stuff, get a shop to tackle it for you. Thats what i did, bout 300 dollers. I got lots of other mods. There are the ones you see in the picture, but after i took that i bought a Grill and Brush uard off of Ebay, for bout 150. I made myself some grill inserts, bought a sliding rear window and real wood dash inserts.
Good Luck.
-Fitz
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israel
Dodge Dakota
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2/20/2003
12:18:04
| RE: Hey Joe E.
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my dak is an ext. cab. hey do you hace add a leafs or blocks in the back. And what about all that problem i hear about getting 3 instead of 2 inches.
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