Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
09:51:52 - 03/29/2024

Raised / Lifted Dakotas
FromMessage
Nicks Dakota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/24/2002
03:31:42

Subject: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
I am right now debating over preformance mods or a suspension lift for my 97 dakota 4x4.

She holds up pretty well off road. But I would love a few extra inches here and there. Not to mention it would make my truck look badassed.

But what would the total cost of the Rancho or tuff country lifts be with 33" tires. 35" maybe with the TC. I have the factory wheels do I need to upgrade them as well?

And just for the hell of it what would be a ball park cost for an axel swap?



Knobbyman
*GenIII*
 Email User Profile


7/24/2002
08:34:23

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
You'd have to replace wheels..

This is aproximate..

1,200 for the Suspension Kit
650 for the Install
1,275 for the wheels & tires 315x70x16 XTerrains
------------------------------------------------
3,125 For everything installed + Tax

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

FortWorth4x4
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/24/2002
13:40:57

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
You wont be able to clear 35" tires with the TC by itself and still go offroad.

'99 CC 5.2 4x4 8.5" Lift

Nicks Dakota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/25/2002
02:47:30

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
Thanks guys.

The Rancho seams better suited for off roading. It seams to be better built. I can fit 33" tires on it right? But how much will my actual ground clearence improve?

I've read some posts where some thought that a shop has to install the lift. Others seemed to be able to do it alone. Does anyone here have any thoughts?

Thanks,

Nick



Knobbyman
*GenIII*
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
11:34:48

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
Your ground clearance is effected by your Axles. Getting a suspension lift will not raise your axles any. The only thing that is going to effect your ground clearance is getting larger tires. Your Approach, Departure, and brake over angles will be raised about 4" after you get your larger tires and the suspension lift.

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

Wolf
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/25/2002
11:38:34

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
ive got one word for you... Unimog! have you seen those axles? they are suposed to be bomb proof(not literaly ofcourse) and they are set up differntly the axle shaft is not in the middle its actualy up higher... so basicly you get the ground clearance of a 44.5" tire with 37's ;) sweet huh?



4wDakota
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
11:50:09

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
You can get those axles fromAvalanche engineering. THey custom make them to length. Too bad they're like $10K

98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD

Wolf
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/25/2002
11:59:12

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
wow they are that much???? dang so much for me slaping a couple of those on the rock crawler im designing =( *sigh* dana 70's it is!



4wDakota
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
12:04:20

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
I think that's the list price they had in a recent article in 4W & offroad.

98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD

Wolf
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/25/2002
12:10:29

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
hrmmm i read it... but i never saw a price listing... oh well ;) 10 grand hrmmm is it worth it? hrmmm i thought find the guy that had them on his rip and jack them... j/k



Knobbyman
*GenIII*
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
12:21:34

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
The reason the Unimog axles are so screwey .. And I could be mistaken with my numbers here.. But..

The Pumpkin is actually mounted higher because on either side where the tires are mounted there is a second gear ratio. Basically the pumpkin has a 3.55 and at both tire there is another gear that's like 2.01 so it converts and gives you a total of like 7.43 gear ratio (ok I know these numbers are off) anyway because of the extra gears by the wheels it drops the wheels down another couple of inches from the main axle so the axle actually sits up higher then normal.

Plan is to win the lotto slap one of those front & rear and put in one of the old 600 cubic inch hemis under the hood.

But that whole winning the lotto thing is still in the works.

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

Knobbyman
*GenIII*
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
12:29:22

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
WOW!! I was close.. Gear ratio is 3.54 in the differential and 2.13 reduction in the hub. The reduction hubs raise the axles 5" more then normal. Strength is compairable to about a Dana 80. Parts are still available threw Mercedes Benz.

Anyway.. I think that's way to much info on these expensive axles..

www.killeraxles.com for more info.. or check this link out..

http://www.killeraxles.com/html/unimog_axles.html

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

Nicks Dakota
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/25/2002
12:33:00

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
I forget the na,e of it but there are surplus UN troop carriers being sold now. They have like 6 axels all independent of another. Cool stuff. But I bet for the 10K or so they cost. You could have 6 axles all basically bomb proof.

So I'll basicaly gain 4". I'm assuming this is with 35" tires. Since they are 4" bigger than stock. Just curious as to if the lifts allowed bigger tires but ended up losing ground clearence somewhere.

Does anoy one have any comments on installing a lift?



YJ
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


7/25/2002
13:58:00

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
Ground clearance is at the lowest point on your truck, however, have the frame and body up and out of the way make for an easier time wheeling. That's all that really matters. If you're going to attempt to strattle every boulder, head-on, that comes your way, well, then yes, Knobby's statement would be accurate that ground clearance is only affected by your axles (relating to off-roading, of course). But if you want to wheel and not damage your truck, a suspension lift helps immensely since 9 times out of 10 you'll be able to navigate the obstacles properly and maneuver those obstacles to locations beneath your truck where extra height has been added. A suspension lift and a locker on your dakota will help you nearly as much as a suspension lift and a locker on a jeep.

YJ
Black 2K QC 4x4 4.7 3.92 KVT910DVD
Black 91 YJ 4LHO Borla | 5" Suspension | 33BFGMT



4wDakota
GenIII
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
14:11:03

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
Yes YJ I totally agree.
The stuff from Avalanche is cool but its for extreme rockcrawling and the size and weight of the Dakota means no extreme rockcrawling. You could but you'd be better with a jeep or custom trail vehicle.

For the trails these trucks can handle, all you really need is a Dana 44 up front. With that locked and the rear locked and 35" or larger tires you could go almost anywhere a full bodied vehicle should

98 CC 4x4, 5.2 Auto 3.55LSD

Knobbyman
*GenIII*
 Email User Profile


7/25/2002
15:08:16

RE: Total Cost?
IP: Logged

Message:
I'll never do it again :-\

If your going to put 35's on there... it's actually going to be riding 2" taller not 4" you have 2" above and 2" below the axle.

'01 Graphite QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
4.5" Customized Suspension Lift
305x70x16 GoodYear MT/R's
http://www.knobbyman.com
----Speed only breaks stuff faster----

   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.