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Suspension lift

1.7K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  RXT  
#1 ·
So I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4 and I wanted to know what size suspension lift I need to run 33"x12.5" tires without any rubbing? I don't want to get a body lift because personally I dont like the look of them. Should I go with a 3" suspension lift or a 4". Also pictures would be great so I can get an idea what 33's would look like on a 3"-4" lift. Thanks in advanced
 
#2 ·
There are limited options when it comes to lift kits for these trucks. There used to be a 5.5" lift available by Tuff Country for the 97-99 models. The lift was accomplished by drop brackets for the upper and lower control arms. However, it won't work on your truck because by 2000, Dodge in their wisdom switched from the older bell/crank style steering system to a new rack & pinion steering system, which will not work with that much lift. If you'd like to use this particular lift kit, you'll have to retrofit the older steering system onto your truck, and from what I understand, there was a small change to the frame where a steering box would normally bolt up to, which means you won't be able to just bolt on a box. You may have to modify the frame to accept a box.

Most lift options for these trucks are based on torsion bar keys, and the max amount of lift possible is about 3 inches. IMHO, you can also just crank the bars to gain that much lift, but the ride will be a little firmer. 3" inches is basically pushing the limits of your existing suspension and steering. The Tuff country kit allows greater lift because it uses brackets which relocate the upper and lower control arms, but more importantly, the limits present on the factory suspension is eliminated. Those limits are the two bump stops which limit up-travel and down-travel. The torsion bar keys or cranking the bars will do nothing for suspension / bump stop limits. It only adjusts the ride height at the expense of suspension down-travel. That is why you're limited to a max of 3". That much lift will also increase the stress on the steering.

You do have one other option to make room for 33" and thats what you don't want, a body lift. Personally I wouldn't discount the idea. They may not be pretty or ideal, but they do serve a needed purpose and thats to allow you to install bigger tires. Now you can combine two methods of lift. You can crank the bars up to 2 inches so you can gain a little ride height without increasing stress on the steering and losing some downward suspension travel. Then add in a two inch body lift to give you more room for the tires without making the body lift too obvious.

Your last option is to limit your tire size to a 31" then you won't need a lift at all.

Ed