You could also take off the springs, and have a spring shop add an
additional leaf in the pack.
I did this on my 98 4x2 after I had bent the top leaf. Raised the rear, and
added load carrying capacity. Set me back about $125.
My 2 cents.
TonyC
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Hoffman <kenh@photocenterimaging.com>
To: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2001 3:33 PM
Subject: DML: More info on axle flip
> Sorry I was a bit brief yesterday ---it was one of those mid week moods.
>
> In any case, the reason that I want to flip the axle and run it under the
> spring packs instead of above them is two fold--
> FIRST I will gain approx 3" of ride height. This in an effort to match
> or slightly exceed the ride height of the front end provided by the
> Fabtech lift. Without using the add-a-leaf in the rear spring packs.
> SECOND The reason that I'm not satisfied with the add-a-leaf as it is, is
> because without any load in the rear the truck rides nearly level- just a
> slight dip in the rear. OK cool. I can live w/ that. BUT ........put any
> weight back there (75-100lbs or more) and you're goin' down. Down to
> nearly where it would ride stock. This doesn't work for me because as a
> fabricator (and those pesky dirt bikes) I routinely have 500 lbs dancin'
> around in back. Translating into, once again, dragged trailer hitch out
> of driveways and an uncomfortable vehicle attitude.
> BTW the whole reason that this occurs is that the add-a-leaf takes the
> factory springs out of theire ....rate range, for lack of better words,
> the factory springs or any springs, don't provide enough resistancet to
> support the vehicle until they are sprung to ....say X height. The
> addtl leaf doesn't provide any where near the same force as the stock
> spring pack at the lifted height ---hence when loaded, the rear drops to
> the point where the stock sprngs start to "work", or provide enough rate
> to support the vehicle.
> Don't mean to clog everyones mail - just wanted to explain my reasoning a
> little better. I thought about lenghtening the shackles, but I'll run
> into trouble w/ my Gibson swept side (thanks again to SmokinDakota!)
> Keep in mind also that although I'd like a little more beef like a 9.25,
> I did recently spring for 4.10 in my 8.25. That and the fact that my
> truck doesn't get drag race shock loads and is a "worker" I just don't
> want or really need to shell out for a whole "new" rearend.
>
> Thanks for your time --any input is appreciated.
>
> Ken H
> Simi Valley,CA
>
> "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line"
>
>
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