I'm in the process of gathering the parts for this conversion myself. I
have found that a Dana 44 front axle from an 78 or 79 Bronco or F150 will
fit well. The Bronco uses coil spring with drag links in the front. The
frame on a Bronco is 34" wide. A Dakota is 36" between the front wheels.
With 4" lift coils, I can compensate for the 2" difference in width. The
bronco has coil pockets, drag link mounts and shock mounts bolted to the
frame. My plan is to remove the upper control arms from my truck and mount
the coil pockets in their place. I can reuse most of the Bronco suspension
and steering components. I would just have to fabricate mounts for the back
of the drag links because the Dakota's frame is about 40" wide at that point
where the Bronco's is 34" front to rear.
Other benefits of the Dana 44 Axle is the larger 5 lug bolt pattern, Manual
Hubs and a wide selection of gears and lockers.
Walter_Felix@MSN.COM
88' Dakota Sport 4x4
WWW.GeoCities.Com/MotorCity/Downs/9219
-----Original Message-----
From: David De Vuono <ddevuono@attcanada.net>
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 1998 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: DML: Re: Cranking up the Torsion Bars
>1993 Extended Cab. 31x10.5 on stock rims. 40,000 miles on the tires.
>Rotated at 20,000 miles with even wear. People will tell you that the 6"
>rims are too small but that is baloney. Offroad racers run 33's on 7 inch
>rims. It saves the rims from rock damage. You will need to adjust the air
>pressure down. Full pressure and 6 inch rims will cause the center of the
>tire to wear. I have a 1,000 lb camper so I just had a leaf spring made
and
>added it to the pack. Better way to go would be a 2" block in the rear and
>1" torsion bar lift in the front.(better ride and offroad articulation). I
>may add a 2" body lift as well. ..........future would have a solid front
>axle installed(for about the cost of a trailmaster 4"........has anyone
done
>this? What year and make of donor vehicle has the left biased
differential?
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HKUSP40578@aol.com <HKUSP40578@aol.com>
>To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
>Date: Friday, September 18, 1998 6:09 PM
>Subject: Re: DML: Re: Cranking up the Torsion Bars
>
>
>>what year Dak do you have David? what size rims are your stock
>ones?.....cause
>>my 15x6 stock rims are too narrow to run 31's......did you just buy one of
>>those add a leaf kits or what do you mean by an extra leaf in the rear,
>thanks
>
>
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