RE: Front struts options for the Dakota
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/12/2008 9:24:24 AM
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flyboy1304
Posts: 254
Joined: 6/18/2007
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hey you guys are on this! hopefully you guys make a break on this. It sure would be nice it the ram strut and ours are similar. maybe a little tweaking here or there will do the job... good luck guys
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06' Dakota crew cab SLT
V8 4x4 crew cab tinted windows
Flowmaster exhaust. CAI, Billit Grill
Access tonneau cover
Whats next? Level kit, body lift, 33's,
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/12/2008 10:59:27 AM
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Altair
Posts: 4479
Joined: 3/10/2007
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studlyblueiz: what measurements would you need from a Ram strut to know if they would work on ours? I've been speaking with someone who is selling some and I could probably ask them to take a few measurements of them if I knew what to ask for 
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ORIGINAL: batman13
i liked the first clinton,
he shot from below the belt.....
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/13/2008 3:03:28 PM
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djsilver
Posts: 81
Joined: 1/12/2008
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OK guys, got the Ram shock today. Not all good but not all bad either. In summary; The lower bracket is a match but the strut body is 1-3/4" longer and the spring perch is 1/2" bigger ID. The extra length could be handled by making fabbing a "top hat" into the upper strut mount but the DAK spring isn't going to slide over the strut so that's a problem! Then maybe we could just use a Ram Spring and have a 1-3/4" lift ?(Ram only weighs 500lbs more so who could use a little firmer ride) Anyone got one to measure?
Here are the strut measurements;
Item DAK RAM
Inside Yoke 2-3/4" 2-3/4"
Yoke Depth 2" 2"
O/A body 11" 12-3/4"
Spring Perch ID 2" 2-1/2"
Spring Perch OD 3-5/16" 4-3/8"
Free shaft (stroke) 4-3/4" 6-1/4"
Shaft Diam. 14mm 18mm
Body Diam 1-5/8" 2-3/16"
nut threads 12x1.25mm 12x1.5mm
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 Attachment (3)
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/13/2008 8:23:27 PM
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studlyblueiz
Posts: 160
Joined: 9/30/2006
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Actually, dj the "free shaft" delta is 1.5" and without a coil there's no conformation that you'll actually gain 1.5" of lift. Not to mention that 1.5" is full droop...most of our trucks don't ride around on full droop :) Now if we assume ideally, that dodge designed both struts equally for nominal loading at the center of the shaft for equal travel, then we should see half that droop as lift. Continuing on that assumption, then that would mean the Ram strut has 1.5" more droop + the extra 3/4" of lift.
Now what that means is that this should work just fine with 2wd (as always :( ) because they don't suffer extreme CV axles angles. That 1.5 is equivalent to the Truxx lift except with a heavier strut and longer coil.
If I could prove/confirm that parts of Rancho's 3" lift would work with ours then we could get somewhere for 4x4's. All we need is to lower the differential and control arms. Then we could substitute in Rancho's 06+ Ram Quick Lift for 3" of lift with little-no change in allowable suspension travel..
2wd could get away with it too if they just lowered their control arms. I wouldn't recommend it without it.
_____________________________
-Robert
79' CJ 7-Too much to list & not the right forum ;)
2006 Dakota SLT- HO 4.7 V8, 4x4
Mods: K&N CAI, Flowmaster 40's, Taurus Efan w/SPAL controller
Disappointing news: held off on Fastman TB for a set of 1ton axles for my jeep!
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/13/2008 9:21:19 PM
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djsilver
Posts: 81
Joined: 1/12/2008
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You're right that even using Ram springs you wouldn't really know where you've landed until you install them. For folks that want a 2" lift, using the ram struts with Ram springs may be just the ticket. If someone could access the spring rate data, you could look at using springs off of different versions of the Ram (different engines, club vs quad, etc) for different spring rates.
I'll have to take one of my struts back apart for more study but I've had another idea after posting pictures;
I could possibly turn the spring upside down and make it work with the Ram shock and keep the truck at stock ride height (I don't want to raise mine) The trouble is that at stock ride height I'll have 1-3/4"" more shock body length which means 1-1/2" less compression room before bottoming out. The Ram strut came with a bump stop that was about 1-1/2" long and my recollection is that the DAK bump stop was about twice that long so that problem may solve itself because of the difference in bump stop lengths. The issue of where in the shock's travel you ride would be an issue with the Monroe Sensatrac that's differentially machined but I just got it for purpose of fit testing. If I do this I'll use Skyjackers or another brand that use a different method where this won't be an issue. I'll study this and report back....,
< Message edited by djsilver -- 2/13/2008 9:41:13 PM >
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 5:05:06 AM
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Dak_in_Black
Posts: 406
Joined: 9/30/2005
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Ya ever walk into a middle of a converstion and absolutely no friggin clue what the hell they are talkin' about?? 
It's English but what the hell does it mean?!?! 
Damn gearheads..... 
Just let me know if I can ever lift my Dak, ok?? thanks!
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05 Dakota QC, Laramie, V-8, 4x4
Line-X
ARE Z Series Cap
K&N Aircharger 63-1546
Running AMSOIL for all fluids
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 5:40:14 AM
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rookie
Posts: 317
Joined: 3/23/2007
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"...all we need to do is lower the diff and control arms..." Ok, no problem. that will just take a week with a lift and some fab tools. I've been looking long and hard at dropping the front end. maybe if it was my second vehicle.
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 6:47:37 AM
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Racinartist
Posts: 375
Joined: 11/23/2007
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I'm sure this has been discussed before but, rather than reinvent the wheel (so to speak), why not look into if the Durango struts would interchange with a Dakota? Rather than modifying and fabricating to try making parts fit from a bigger/heavier truck like the Ram, it would make sense to look into what, if any, compatibility there is swapping parts from a more 'similar' truck to ours, like the Durango.
Just a thought.
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 6:55:07 AM
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lghtngblt02
Posts: 911
Joined: 1/4/2008
From: Mechanicsburg, Pa
Status: offline
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Raicenartist, it sounds like you got a great idea, if I am not mistaken isnt the Durango built off the same frames?
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07 Dodge Dakota Club Cab Laramie 4x4, 4.7L V8 Magnum
93 Dodge Dakota Club Cab LE 2x4, 3.9L V6 Magnum
00' Ford Focus LX Sedan, 2.0L SPI
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 9:06:29 AM
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rookie
Posts: 317
Joined: 3/23/2007
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The idea is to have bigger heavier suspension because the truck makes you seasick w the factory setup. if the durangos have heavy duty/performance aftermarket suspension available then, it's a great idea.
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 9:15:41 AM
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Racinartist
Posts: 375
Joined: 11/23/2007
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I've had 'rough' suspensions on 4X4s before. I DON'T want that again (can you say '85 Toyota with straight front axle?  ). I don't mind the ride on my truck at all. I would just like something a little more responsive and sure-footed in the handling department.
I have to own a truck for business reasons, but I drive like I have a sports car. 
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 11:42:06 AM
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djsilver
Posts: 81
Joined: 1/12/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Racinartist
I'm sure this has been discussed before but, rather than reinvent the wheel (so to speak), why not look into if the Durango struts would interchange with a Dakota? Rather than modifying and fabricating to try making parts fit from a bigger/heavier truck like the Ram, it would make sense to look into what, if any, compatibility there is swapping parts from a more 'similar' truck to ours, like the Durango.
Just a thought.
The Durango is the first thing I looked at but apparently it's not like either the Ram or Dakota. I haven't walked up to one for an inspection but the parts illustrations I can find show the Durango with a torsion bar front suspension and a standard style front shock with "eyes" at both ends. The Ram is the only thing I've found (other than Hondas!) that use the fork mount on the bottom. If someone know of a different application that would fit, please speak up!
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 11:57:37 AM
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studlyblueiz
Posts: 160
Joined: 9/30/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rookie
"...all we need to do is lower the diff and control arms..." Ok, no problem. that will just take a week with a lift and some fab tools. I've been looking long and hard at dropping the front end. maybe if it was my second vehicle.
Well I was mentioning the Rancho kit that has that piece of engineering done.
_____________________________
-Robert
79' CJ 7-Too much to list & not the right forum ;)
2006 Dakota SLT- HO 4.7 V8, 4x4
Mods: K&N CAI, Flowmaster 40's, Taurus Efan w/SPAL controller
Disappointing news: held off on Fastman TB for a set of 1ton axles for my jeep!
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 12:26:21 PM
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studlyblueiz
Posts: 160
Joined: 9/30/2006
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: djsilver
I could possibly turn the spring upside down and make it work with the Ram shock and keep the truck at stock ride height (I don't want to raise mine)
I'm almost positive that won't work. I'd save that time and look into a Ram coil before reusing the Dakota coil.
_____________________________
-Robert
79' CJ 7-Too much to list & not the right forum ;)
2006 Dakota SLT- HO 4.7 V8, 4x4
Mods: K&N CAI, Flowmaster 40's, Taurus Efan w/SPAL controller
Disappointing news: held off on Fastman TB for a set of 1ton axles for my jeep!
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RE: Front struts options for the Dakota - 2/14/2008 4:44:20 PM
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VA Dakota
Posts: 36
Joined: 12/11/2007
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A couple of questions: 
1. Someone mentioned the 2006 Ram 1500 was 500 lbs heavier,
was that total weight or weight on the front suspension?
2. These front end lift/spacers (2" - 2 1/2") sold, aren't they
also listed for the Ram 1500 4x4?
3. Lowering the lower control arms????? Is anybody doing this when they add the lift kit ????
What I'm trying to determine is that, using the 2006 Ram 1500 4x4
strut and springs would/should fit the Dakota, the bottom of the strut is the same
and I believe the top/bolt pattern is also the same, as the lift spacers fit the Ram and Dakota.
According to the OEM parts manual the Dakota and the 2006 Ram 1500 4x4 use the same:
55366386AA -gromment, 52013672AA-collar, 55366975AA- isolator(spring seat),
55366387AA -isolator(spring),06506276AA-nut (M12x1.75)
But, it would be too costly to buy 2 complete strut and spring assemblies just to try out.... 
The Dakota and the Raider are built at the Warren Truck Plant and the Durango is built elsewhere???
< Message edited by VA Dakota -- 2/14/2008 4:51:45 PM >
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