I did it on my 88 as well. Also went smooth except for the cab mounts behind
the front tires. The tires kick dirt and crud on them causing them to rust
fairly solid into place. It took an hour with an impact gun and a can of
penetrating oil to break the driver's side loose. The passenger's side had to
be cut off with a torch. I usually recommend having a new set of cab mounts
available when installing the kit. It makes life easier.
Another thing, you mention that you have a V8. Remember that you will have to
replumb the lower radiator hose. The fan on a V8 will not clear the lower
hose when you lift the body. That's why when you look up body lift kits for
Dakota's the lift V6 only.
Walter_Felix@MSN.COM
Truck: 88 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4.
Color: Flash Red
Motor: 3.9 V6
Tranny: A-500 Auto with NVP231 Transfer Case
Factory Accessories: AC, Cruise, Tilt, PW, PD, Rear Slider, Light Bar, Fog
Lamps & Covers
Aftermarket Accessories: Lund Interceptor, Lund Moon Visor, Sony
AM/FM/Cassette w/10 Disk Changer, ventguards, custom bed mat, black Dee-Zee
tailgate protector, Lund head-lamp blackouts, 4 Dick Cepek lamps with custom
covers, cowl style hood scoop, 3" TrailMaster body lift, 31x10.50x15 Dunlop
Radial Mud Rovers on 15x10 AR Type 26 rims, X-Tang railed tonneau cover (cut
and fitted to bed bar), Lund TailMate, Rancho RS-5000 Shocks, FlowMaster 3"
in/2 2-1/2" outlets, BushWacker fender flares, Taylor 8mm wires (Red), "FABM",
"DDBC".
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/9219
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet4.buffnet.net On Behalf Of Josh Brown
Sent: Monday, February 16, 1998 10:43 AM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: Re: DML: 3in. body lift
thanks for the info Brian, I'm planning on changing my gears the same time I
do the lift so I am waiting till it gets a little warmer, and some more cash
(maybe I should have shopped around a little before buying the lift) but I
must get it done by before August when the Mopar Nats come to town. This is
the first V8 I've been able to cruise down brice road since I got rid of my
lil' red express my senior year of high school, and I want it to be hooked
up.
-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Cleary <bcleary@interlog.com>
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Date: Sunday, February 15, 1998 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: DML: 3in. body lift
>Hi Josh: I installed a 3" lift on my 89 Sport 4x4 about 4 years ago.
>Big price difference though! I paid $80.00 from Summit for a Rugged
>Trails version. Was about a 6 hour deal with two people. Everything
>went smooth until I got to the steering column extension. I couldn't
>get the old one off! The slip joint had siezed onto the shaft and took
>some heat, a hammer and a few verble abuses but it finally came loose.
>The kit also came with a 3" extension that had to be brazed into the
>shift linkage (Automatic only) and a kit to raise the front bumper. No
>kit for rear step bumper though! I had to relocate the holes in the
>rear frame for the bumper mounts to get it raised up. Also came with a
>3" screw on transfer case lever extension. Pretty easy job and looks
>great. Put on BFG 32x11.5's with AR 15x8 rims and looks real cool.
>
>
>Josh D. Brown wrote:
>>
>> I just purchased a 3in. body lift from trails west, it was priced at
$189.
>> they sold it to me for $156. This is the first time I have ever
installed a
>> body lift, (I've done a suspension lift on a Intl. Scout) and was
wondering
>> if anyone out there could give me any tips. Trails West wanted $350 to
>> install it but I've got means in our shop, just looking for suggestions.
>> Thanks in advance!!
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