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Hi. Guys. Have had a 97 dakota 2wd for about 8 years and finally getting to do a little bit to it. I don’t know what to do for a lift kit now that they have been discontinued. Would love a 3” lift. Any help appreciated.
2wd lift kit options
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There is an old saying. "If there's a will, there's a way" In trucks, it's all going to come down to 'how much are you willing to spend'?
There are a number of possible ways to lift your truck, but you may not be able to lift it that much. Starting with the front end. The easiest way I could think to gain about a couple of inches is thru the use of spring spacers. What you're looking for is a spacer that will fit between the spring and the frame or spring and control arms. The question will be what spacer would fit. I recall a few years ago that some auto parts chains sold a universal rubber spacer that netted an inch or two of lift. If that's not an option, I do know that there are metal spacers for many different trucks. If one is not specifically available for your Dakota, you might be able to use a pair for another truck but you're going to need detailed dimensions to see what else would or could fit. A longer spring would also lift but you'll be on your own looking for a spring. In any case don't forget a front end alignment.
For the rear, you have a couple of choices. Replace the springs with a pair that has more arch or do a spring over conversion. Your springs go under the axle. Flipping them so that they are over the axle would give you about 4-5 inches of lift.
Next option is a body lift. Body lifts are a quick, cheap, and easy way to add lift. Some don't like them for atheistic reasons, but if there are little choices I wouldn't dismiss them as an option
Next is how much do you want to spend? If you can find a custom performance shop near you, they could build you a suspension lift, but it's going to be pricey and if you're going to spend in the thousands, it would be a better investment to convert the truck to 4wd.
Ed
There are a number of possible ways to lift your truck, but you may not be able to lift it that much. Starting with the front end. The easiest way I could think to gain about a couple of inches is thru the use of spring spacers. What you're looking for is a spacer that will fit between the spring and the frame or spring and control arms. The question will be what spacer would fit. I recall a few years ago that some auto parts chains sold a universal rubber spacer that netted an inch or two of lift. If that's not an option, I do know that there are metal spacers for many different trucks. If one is not specifically available for your Dakota, you might be able to use a pair for another truck but you're going to need detailed dimensions to see what else would or could fit. A longer spring would also lift but you'll be on your own looking for a spring. In any case don't forget a front end alignment.
For the rear, you have a couple of choices. Replace the springs with a pair that has more arch or do a spring over conversion. Your springs go under the axle. Flipping them so that they are over the axle would give you about 4-5 inches of lift.
Next option is a body lift. Body lifts are a quick, cheap, and easy way to add lift. Some don't like them for atheistic reasons, but if there are little choices I wouldn't dismiss them as an option
Next is how much do you want to spend? If you can find a custom performance shop near you, they could build you a suspension lift, but it's going to be pricey and if you're going to spend in the thousands, it would be a better investment to convert the truck to 4wd.
Ed
Spring spacers, longer springs, and longer shackles for 2wds are readily available for 2nd gen dakotas on ebay. Just remember, you CANNOT lift the front more then 2 inches using spacers or longer springs, no matter what people tell you. A body lift is probably your best option, available for about $300. If you want it level, you can pair that with longer springs or spacers up front for about 5" front and 3" rear.
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