1991 Dodge Dakota 2wd

greasemonkey · 06-24-2007, 09:53 AM

Hi my name is Jim and I have a 1991 Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive. It has the 3.9 V-6 and automatic tranny. I have been looking for a lift kit for this truck but can only find a two inch. I would like to lift it at least four inches. If anybody has any suggestions, let me know

75K30 · 06-24-2007, 10:57 AM

Welcome to the site.
Gen I and Gen II Dakotas have alaways been limited on lift kit options.
I do recall a company called trucksuspensions.com having a 3" kit. Here is the problem, these early Dakotas require new control arms, and spindles to get som lift out of them. The available 2 inch systems now, are nothing more than spacers for the coils springs. A-arm suspensions have limited travel, so you will basically eliminate two inches of suspension extension just to gain two inches of ride heigth. The use of Rack and pinion steering also limits the amount of lift. The final item that needs to be addressed is the spring under axle design out back. This means a lift block can't be installed to obtain the needed heigth. An add-a-leaf is really one of the only options since doing a spring over modification would give you too much lift.
Looks like the only options available are some type of small suspension lift, and body lift combo. to get your desired 4 inches. May also look into a spindle lift for the Gen I or II trucks. I do believe that the Gen I, and II suspensions were the same. Spring rates changed slightly due to the V8 that was available, but I think stuff bolted up the same. That would still only give you 3 inches, aand not 4.
Last option is custom a-arms, and spindles. Plan out shelling out as much as the truck is worth, maybe more to have a chr-mo set made, ouch...

greasemonkey · 06-24-2007, 02:20 PM

Thanks, I already completed a spring over swap on the rear and have custom helper springs as well. Im considering changing to a solid front axle out of a 4x4 to get the extra clearance. I dont want to run a transfer case or convert to 4 wheel drive. I have a dual rear wheel conversion kit I will be installing soon.

06-24-2007, 09:53 AM	#1
greasemonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere, PA Posts: 585	1991 Dodge Dakota 2wd Hi my name is Jim and I have a 1991 Dodge Dakota 2 wheel drive. It has the 3.9 V-6 and automatic tranny. I have been looking for a lift kit for this truck but can only find a two inch. I would like to lift it at least four inches. If anybody has any suggestions, let me know

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06-24-2007, 10:57 AM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,545	Welcome to the site. Gen I and Gen II Dakotas have alaways been limited on lift kit options. I do recall a company called trucksuspensions.com having a 3" kit. Here is the problem, these early Dakotas require new control arms, and spindles to get som lift out of them. The available 2 inch systems now, are nothing more than spacers for the coils springs. A-arm suspensions have limited travel, so you will basically eliminate two inches of suspension extension just to gain two inches of ride heigth. The use of Rack and pinion steering also limits the amount of lift. The final item that needs to be addressed is the spring under axle design out back. This means a lift block can't be installed to obtain the needed heigth. An add-a-leaf is really one of the only options since doing a spring over modification would give you too much lift. Looks like the only options available are some type of small suspension lift, and body lift combo. to get your desired 4 inches. May also look into a spindle lift for the Gen I or II trucks. I do believe that the Gen I, and II suspensions were the same. Spring rates changed slightly due to the V8 that was available, but I think stuff bolted up the same. That would still only give you 3 inches, aand not 4. Last option is custom a-arms, and spindles. Plan out shelling out as much as the truck is worth, maybe more to have a chr-mo set made, ouch...

06-24-2007, 02:20 PM	#3
greasemonkey Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Somewhere, PA Posts: 585	Thanks, I already completed a spring over swap on the rear and have custom helper springs as well. Im considering changing to a solid front axle out of a 4x4 to get the extra clearance. I dont want to run a transfer case or convert to 4 wheel drive. I have a dual rear wheel conversion kit I will be installing soon.