I'm one of those guys who just can't let anyone work on their truck so I'll
be doing it myself (with a couple friends). I've done lots of solid axle
lifts, so I'm actually looking forward to doing an IFS lift, good
experience. I need shocks and tires so it'll be perfect timing.
John McKinney
98 4X4 V8
> -----Original Message-----
> From: fawcett@uism.bu.edu [SMTP:fawcett@uism.bu.edu]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 7:48 AM
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: Re:DML: RE: Tuff Country Important Info
>
> Good info, John... Are you going to try the install yourself or farm it
> out??
>
> I really want in on this deal but just can't swing the bucks right now,
> damn!
> Tom
>
> ____________________Reply Separator____________________
> Subject: DML: RE: Tuff Country Important Info
> Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
> Date: 8/10/99 9:21 AM
>
> I can understand the concern, and also had my concerns with some of the
> items that were discussed, but after talking with Tuff country's owner and
> some of the people who designed it, I feel very comfortable installing
> this
> kit.
>
> First off, unfortuanately with our Torsion Bar front suspension, there is
> not a kit out there (including Rancho) that will increase clearance due to
> the need to "drop" our front axle to keep the T-Bars lined up. That's
> just
> the reality of having this type of suspension. You can look at any 4X4
> with
> torsion bars and a lift and see the same brackets and the need for a skid
> plate.
>
> Secondly, this is why Tuff Country has custom skid plates coming out for
> the
> front differential and for the rear torsion bar brackets. I would have
> fabbed my own if they did not do this. I still may, depending on how they
> mount and price.
>
> Thirdly, I definately would consider the Rancho kit (I have owned several
> Rancho kits and liked them), but 3" won't clear 33's without interference,
> I
> don't care how much you crank the T-bars. Talk to anybody familliar with
> the torsion set-up and they'll tell you it's not a great idea to crank on
> those things too much anyway. You'll have suspension geometry problems
> (tire wear) and due the increased spring rate (stiffer) you'll have less
> articulation and off road you don't want to have a high spring rate on
> rebound.
>
> As far as having problems with some of the brackets, Tony found this out
> when he installed his and if I remember correctly he had to get some
> updated
> parts. Kelly at Tuff Country told me that have redesigned some parts to
> make them stronger (The Rancho kit has also been through 3 redesigns). By
> the way, most brackets in the kit are twice as thick as the stock parts,
> so
> I'm not worried if the kit will be strong enough. The kit has been
> extensively tested in Moab on both Durangos and Dakotas.
>
> I'm no expert by any means, but I have researched this and if I'm dumping
> $1081 into something I'm going to be comfortable doing it. BTW-- The
> Rancho
> Kit is "on sale" at 4W Parts for $1400.00+shipping, that's another reason.
>
> John McKinney
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:15:42 EDT