I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
experience with this.
Thanks for any feedback.

 

We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
host of things in the same vein.

Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.

Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
providing.

You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
stuff and get some input from them.




<kmattes@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
> I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> experience with this.
> Thanks for any feedback.
>

 

We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
host of things in the same vein.

Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.

Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
providing.

You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
stuff and get some input from them.




<kmattes@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
> I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> experience with this.
> Thanks for any feedback.
>

 

We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
host of things in the same vein.

Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.

Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
providing.

You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
stuff and get some input from them.




<kmattes@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
> I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> experience with this.
> Thanks for any feedback.
>

 

On Apr 14, 2:32 pm, "Jeff Strickland" <c...@verizon.net> wrote:
> We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
> something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
> If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
> impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
> host of things in the same vein.
>
> Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
> related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
> installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
> sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
> are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.
>
> Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
> by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
> transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
> the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
> shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
> providing.
>
> You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
> stuff and get some input from them.
>
> <kmat...@netzero.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
>
> > I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> > installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> > ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> > this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> > wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> > experience with this.
> > Thanks for any feedback.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

With that understood. All wheel drive is different in 4 wheel drive in
that the front wheels will engage when the rear wheels slip during
normal driving(4x4 off). The question is can lifting suspension or
oversizing tires confuse or cause problems with that system? All wheel
drive is also available to the cherokee model Jeeps.

 

On Apr 14, 2:32 pm, "Jeff Strickland" <c...@verizon.net> wrote:
> We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
> something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
> If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
> impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
> host of things in the same vein.
>
> Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
> related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
> installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
> sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
> are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.
>
> Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
> by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
> transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
> the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
> shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
> providing.
>
> You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
> stuff and get some input from them.
>
> <kmat...@netzero.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
>
> > I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> > installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> > ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> > this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> > wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> > experience with this.
> > Thanks for any feedback.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

With that understood. All wheel drive is different in 4 wheel drive in
that the front wheels will engage when the rear wheels slip during
normal driving(4x4 off). The question is can lifting suspension or
oversizing tires confuse or cause problems with that system? All wheel
drive is also available to the cherokee model Jeeps.

 

On Apr 14, 2:32 pm, "Jeff Strickland" <c...@verizon.net> wrote:
> We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
> something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
> If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
> impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
> host of things in the same vein.
>
> Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
> related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
> installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
> sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
> are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.
>
> Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
> by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
> transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
> the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
> shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
> providing.
>
> You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
> stuff and get some input from them.
>
> <kmat...@netzero.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
>
> > I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> > installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> > ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> > this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> > wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> > experience with this.
> > Thanks for any feedback.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

With that understood. All wheel drive is different in 4 wheel drive in
that the front wheels will engage when the rear wheels slip during
normal driving(4x4 off). The question is can lifting suspension or
oversizing tires confuse or cause problems with that system? All wheel
drive is also available to the cherokee model Jeeps.

 

On Apr 14, 2:32 pm, "Jeff Strickland" <c...@verizon.net> wrote:
> We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking for
> something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential problems.
> If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider the
> impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and a
> host of things in the same vein.
>
> Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs and
> related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
> installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits are
> sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed. There
> are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.
>
> Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is remedied
> by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
> transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated, and
> the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done by a
> shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
> providing.
>
> You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort of
> stuff and get some input from them.
>
> <kmat...@netzero.net> wrote in message
>
> news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
>
> > I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> > installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> > ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> > this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> > wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> > experience with this.
> > Thanks for any feedback.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

With that understood. All wheel drive is different in 4 wheel drive in
that the front wheels will engage when the rear wheels slip during
normal driving(4x4 off). The question is can lifting suspension or
oversizing tires confuse or cause problems with that system? All wheel
drive is also available to the cherokee model Jeeps.

 

<kmattes@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:1176653418.973125.3300@p77g2000hsh.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Apr 14, 2:32 pm, "Jeff Strickland" <c...@verizon.net> wrote:
> > We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking
for
> > something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential
problems.
> > If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider
the
> > impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and
a
> > host of things in the same vein.
> >
> > Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs
and
> > related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
> > installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits
are
> > sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed.
There
> > are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.
> >
> > Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is
remedied
> > by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
> > transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated,
and
> > the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done
by a
> > shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
> > providing.
> >
> > You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort
of
> > stuff and get some input from them.
> >
> > <kmat...@netzero.net> wrote in message
> >
> > news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
> >
> >
> >
> > > I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> > > installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> > > ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> > > this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> > > wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> > > experience with this.
> > > Thanks for any feedback.- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> With that understood. All wheel drive is different in 4 wheel drive in
> that the front wheels will engage when the rear wheels slip during
> normal driving(4x4 off). The question is can lifting suspension or
> oversizing tires confuse or cause problems with that system? All wheel
> drive is also available to the cherokee model Jeeps.
>
People with experience with this are not likely to hang out in this
newsgroup, but there is no reason that lifting suspension would confuse your
awd system. If you don't do it right, it might stress your drive shaft and
wear out your cv joints, but that is a different issue, eh? Big tires, on
the other hand, are likely to confuse things unless you get your speedometer
recalibrated. If you do that, all should be fine. Also consider that big
tires will change your shift points and the torque on your axles. That
could have a negative or positive effect on your fuel economy, depending on
which gear ratio you have now.

Earle

Earle

 

<kmattes@netzero.net> wrote in message
news:1176653418.973125.3300@p77g2000hsh.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Apr 14, 2:32 pm, "Jeff Strickland" <c...@verizon.net> wrote:
> > We are Jeep people, and most of us have lifted Jeeps. If you are looking
for
> > something in the range of 2 inches, I can't think of any potential
problems.
> > If you are think more in terms of 4+ inches, then you need to consider
the
> > impact on differential angles, driveshaft length, steering geometry, and
a
> > host of things in the same vein.
> >
> > Lots of Jeep drivers put in 2 inches of suspension lift (longer springs
and
> > related parts) and an inch of body lift. Body lift is accomplished by
> > installing longer body mounting bolts and rubber cushions. The lft kits
are
> > sold in sets that include all of the stuff that is commonly needed.
There
> > are occasions where vibrations develop, and we usually have a solution.
> >
> > Your tire selection can have an affect on your speedometer. This is
remedied
> > by replacing a small plastic gear that is mounted to the
> > transmission/transfer case. The next gear you need is easily calculated,
and
> > the gear costs typically in the range of $10. If you have the work done
by a
> > shop, they should install the new gear as part of the service they are
> > providing.
> >
> > You will want to take you Dakota somewhere where they install this sort
of
> > stuff and get some input from them.
> >
> > <kmat...@netzero.net> wrote in message
> >
> > news:1176566010.014637.181720@o5g2000hsb.googlegro ups.com...
> >
> >
> >
> > > I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota with all wheel drive. I was considering
> > > installing a lift kit and slightly oversized tires on it for more
> > > ground clearance. Has anyone heard of any potential issues with doing
> > > this. My concern is that it may negatively impact the way the all
> > > wheel drive performs. I would like to hear from someone with
> > > experience with this.
> > > Thanks for any feedback.- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> With that understood. All wheel drive is different in 4 wheel drive in
> that the front wheels will engage when the rear wheels slip during
> normal driving(4x4 off). The question is can lifting suspension or
> oversizing tires confuse or cause problems with that system? All wheel
> drive is also available to the cherokee model Jeeps.
>
People with experience with this are not likely to hang out in this
newsgroup, but there is no reason that lifting suspension would confuse your
awd system. If you don't do it right, it might stress your drive shaft and
wear out your cv joints, but that is a different issue, eh? Big tires, on
the other hand, are likely to confuse things unless you get your speedometer
recalibrated. If you do that, all should be fine. Also consider that big
tires will change your shift points and the torque on your axles. That
could have a negative or positive effect on your fuel economy, depending on
which gear ratio you have now.

Earle

Earle