cheap lift?

[cdub05]

I have seen bits and pieces of how to lift a dakota 2" by cranking the torsion bars and shackles? I have a 00 Dakota QC 4X4 and want to get a little lift out of it. Can someone explain what and how to do this, if its possible. I dont really want a body lift, I just want a little lift for a more rugged look as im planning on putting some 285/60/18s on soon. thanks

[HemiDak]

Just go underneath and crank the torsion bars to where you want it. It can easily raise the frontend 1-2" to match the rear. There's a huge nut (15/16") at the end of the torsion bars. Just tighten each side until it's at the desired height and they're both level.

If the rear isn't high enough, you can do lift blocks or shackles. These are a bit more complicated than cranking a bolt.

[cdub05]

can you lean me to what and where I can get these shackles/blocks

[cdub05]

ok forget the back for now, ill go with the free lift...

is there a good method for getting them both even and level, or should I just measure from the top of the tire to the fenderflare and get them as close as possible? Also, Im not the best mechanic out there, but the torsion bar is the one that comes almost straight down right, and the nut points toward the front I believe? I just dont want to screw something up underthere. THanks again for the help

[jmac2000dge]

Well i don't have any pics of what the nut looks like but its located just behind the dvrs door, just underneath. Look for long bars that run from your front control arms to just underneath your front doors. you should be able to see the bolt. When you turn the bolt, its usually easier to use a breaker bar or put a pipe extension on a ratchet to give you leverage. Spraying them with some lubricant might help too before starting. Each turn will give you 1/4" of lift. So 8 turns is 2", which is the max you can go. I did this and then measured from the top of the tire to the bottom of the flare like you said to make sure if it was level.

[HemiDak]

Hopefully you can find it with the description he gave above. It's really not that hard to find. It's the only 2 BIG bolts underneath the truck, that are 15/16". You'll see them...

As for the block/shackles. Just search Google and Ebay. I personally don't like blocks, and would prefer to use shackles. I'm sure you'll like the truck being level though...

[UsRanger11B1V]

Thats all fine and dandy, but what about the back?...Can you put shackles in yourself or does it require special equipment,tools etc? Cost? What size tires coud you get in there after this process??


Out Here!

[jmac2000dge]

Well i'm not too familiar with the rear suspension on the dakotas. But as far as i know, the daks have spring over axle and the durangos have spring under axle. Someone can correct me if i'm wrong. Fabtech makes an add-a-leaf for the rear of the dakotas and claims it will raise it 2". As far as the shackles, not sure if they're the same, but they were very easy to install.

[HemiDak]

You can fit 31x10.5" tires stock and no problems. With a t-bar crank you can get away with a 32x11.5 and no problems rubbing. Anything bigger than that and you need a body or suspension lift.

Shackles and blocks need no extra special tools. They are pretty easy IMO.

[DriftyDurango]

can this be done on a Durango. Also has anyone does this and notice a hight difrence.

[jmac2000dge]

Yes this can be done on a durango. And yes you can notice a height difference. I recently did the T/S lift on my durango, very easy to do. Any ?'s just ask away.

[DriftyDurango]

how is it done on the durango. Also if you got any pics of what it looks like. Aslo how it the ride does it change the ride quality. Any help would be great :biggthump

[jmac2000dge]

For the durango, you turn the torsion adjustment bolts 8 turns to aquire 2" of lift. Basically every turn equals 1/4" of lift. Jack the front end up and make sure the wheels are off the ground before doing this. This will stiffen up the ride in the front. You should get an alignment as well after doing this. For the rear, you will need to buy a set of shackles. I got the belltech 6400s. I beleive some people used the 6700s or the western 2001s. Not too sure on those part numbers, someone else might know. The durango rear suspension is a spring under axle system, so you can't use blocks cause this would actually lower it. Remove trailer hitch if you have one and lower spare tire to give more room. You'll need a T-55 torx bit as well to remove shackle bolts. Place a bottle jack or scissor jack in between the frame and leaf spring. Remove shackle bolts, remove old shackle, lower leaf spring with jack until you can fit the longer shackle in, replace bolts. You may need some washers as well to give a better fit. After everything is tight, replace hitch and spare tire. With just going with the shackle, i think you maintain the same ride quality in the rear. I went with an add-a-leaf as well which stiffened up the rear. I don't have any pics yet but i'm sure if you do a search you'll find some. I hope this helps a bit. And if i missed anything, someone else will probably add to this as i'm not an expert on this. I just did this to my durango and love it.

Cheers :wave:

[UsRanger11B1V]

Does this make the truck unstable or unsafe?...just wondering why doesn't the truck come off the lot raised up 2 inches with this done to it..does it void warrenty etc etc. Thanks gents.


Out here.

[HemiDak]

Does this make the truck unstable or unsafe?...just wondering why doesn't the truck come off the lot raised up 2 inches with this done to it..does it void warrenty etc etc. Thanks gents.


Out here.

No, it does not make the truck unsafe or unstable. It doesn't void the warranty either.

The reason the torsion bars are there are so that the factory or dealer can adjust the height and each side, for when the suspension settles, and when it first rolls off the line. It was not made to crank up to give 2" of lift. It creates harsher angles for the CV's and creates more wear. Most people will never notice this as a problem when then have the vehicle. It's only people who max them out, and beat the shit out of the vehicle that see problems later on down the road...

[UsRanger11B1V]

Im not that savy when it comes to putting in shackles or adding leaf springs......Who does these kinds of things and how much would it cost? I would love to do it myself, but just wouldn't trust it.

Out here.

[HemiDak]

Any shock, brake, or suspension shop can do it. They're pretty simple and won't take much time for them to do it.

[dakotaman00]

Anyone ever done the t/b- shackle lift that allready has a 3 inch body lift? I have a 3 inch body lift and wouldnt mind going a little higher??

[HemiDak]

I've cranked my torsion bars about 1-2" to level it out with the rear and get rid of some rubbing in the front when offroading. Some people crank the torsion bars and leave the rear alone, because they like the level look (me being one of them). I won't be adding shackles to the rear because my truck sits perfectly level.

[DetroitGTX]

to branch off of this all...

Do the Gen IV's have IFS coil overs... meaning no torsion bars? Which would mean that this doesnt apply to me?

Or do i still have torsion bars? i havent been under to look yet.

If no bars... any cheap way such as this to raise my ride?

[sailsurf7713]

New coil overs and shackles should be all you need. There was someone on the board with a generation IV that was putting 2" kits together. Not sure who but if you search around you should be able to pick up the right components for the job.

[HemiDak]

You don't even need new coilovers if you just want to raise it a little. You can get spacers in pretty much any (small) length you want.

[DetroitGTX]

ah, so where can i get spacers and how do i install them? how much do they generally cost as well? Thanks.

[HemiDak]

I really have no clue where to get them, or how much they cost. I do know the install isn't that difficult though. You'll have to take the tires off, unbolt the coilover, and possibly unbolt the upper or lower balljoint. From there you can insert the spacer and put it all back together.

[01 Mudslinger]

I got some pics around here somewhere of my truck with that same setup with 32x11.50's on it before the bodylift, if i can find em ill put em up for ya. Keep in mind after u turn the torsion bars up you need to get a realignment so i took it to a alignment shop and had em do both for me, cost like 60 bucks.

[howe0822]

whats the biggest diameter size tire you can lift in the rear....I understand I can raise the front end by about 2" but....and I can raise the rear, but I would rather have the level look, just curious as to how big of a tire I could go in the rear