Most of the time that you catch something on the trail it is the frame
in the center, (because jeeps are so short they go over something
instead of centering on an object) so if you dont lift the suspension
you will gain very little usable ground clearance. The clearance below
the differental is nice to have but normally one doesnt have problems
with this on the trail, and no you dont lose clearence, on a solid front
axle the differential stays in the same place, just the frame is raised
higher above the axle, the same thing goes for an ifs, brackets move the
suspension lower raising the frame above them, no clearence is gained or
lossed at the differential frame to a lift system, only tires can change
that. Also, one thing about body lifts, in the off road club that I
belong to a few people have been in accidents and 2 of those accidents
had bad endings due to body lifts. When you do a body lift you put
plastic blocks between the frame and body. These blocks dont have much
in the way of friction like the oem rubber mounts and the extra length
bolts have more leverage because they are longer. When these two trucks
got into accidents the bolts sheared/broke and the cab came off the
frame(not a good thing). I would recommend putting grade 8 bolts in
place of the grade5 that come with most body lifts, its a little extra
money but I knew 2 people that if they were alive today would problably
want grade 8 now.
Andy Levy wrote:
>
> There isn't really a good suspension lift for Daks due to the IFS and the
> fact that the demand isn't there like it is for Chevy & Ford full-size
> trucks. After 2 years there still does not exist a suspension lift for
> 2000 and up Dakotas. Everyone is "working on it" - for the last year!
>
> The Tuff Country 5.5" lift looks good at first, as it retains your
> suspension geometry, but it's a very difficult install for even the best
> gearheads, and a lot of people have had trouble after installation. Not to
> mention the rather high price tag for the kit itself. There is a 3" lift
> by Rancho I think but that changes your suspension geometry quite a bit and
> there aren't a whole lot of folks using it.
>
> Either way, you don't get to add very large tires to the truck. 33" at
> most.
>
> Biggest problem with lifting an IFS truck - you actually LOSE clearance
> because the new suspension bits dangle lower. Per Murphy's Law, you WILL
> catch those dangling bits on the trail. The larger tires you add will get
> you back to roughly the same ground clearance.
>
> I haven't heard of anyone with trouble with their body lifts 'round here.
> With a 3" lift and a very slight trim, you can put 33s on a Dak with
> some rubbing at full lock. And not damage/modify your suspension in the
> process. You'll truly gain 1" of clearance (half the tire diameter change)
> with 33" tires.
>
> A body lift is much cheaper and safer long-term, you get the same size
> tires, and don't lose ground clearance.
>
> Shane wrote:
>
> > I am wondering if there is an advantage over one or the other as far as
> > the
> > body or suspension lift besides the money. I have talked to a couple of
> > buddies that have said that after putting in a body lift the areas where
> > the mounts went started to rot out and I really have not heard anything
> > bad about suspension lifts until you go so high that you end up throwing
> > out the
> > driveline geometry and start blowing drive shafts. I just want to see
> > what
> > you all have heard/seen. Thanks,
> > Shane
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> -andy
> andylevy@yahoo.com
> Maintainer, DML FAQ - http://www.dakota-truck.net/faq/
> http://home.twcny.rr.com/andylevy/dakota/
> '99 CC 4x4 318 auto
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