? Dakota suspension ?

[solidaxel]

Anybody out there running Dakota front suspension on a 47 to 53 Chevy !!!

[Kabwe]

A friend of mine installed one on his 57 Chevy truck and he likes it alot.

[solidaxel]

Did he buy a crossmember from someone or did he fab something up?

[Kabwe]

He brought the crossmember from Industrial Chassis the crossmember was about 712 bucks. It is a really nice looking piece of art. I thought about going this route but I got my mustang II crossmember for 379 so I went that route. But I must tell that his crossmember looks really well made. He done his about a 1 and half ago.

Here is the web site for the dakota ifs crossmember my buddy brought http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/

[solidaxel]

I have been in contact with INdustrial Chassis, but I am looking for some input from some who has some miles on the Dakota!

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

I have been in contact with INdustrial Chassis, but I am looking for some input from some who has some miles on the Dakota!

What info do you need because I told you his has been install for about 1 1/2 years and he like it a lot. What do you want me to ask him? He use his truck as a work truck he is really into building motorcycles and he uses his truck to haul his bike.

[solidaxel]

Did he do the install himself
are the arms and springs and spindles from a Dakota
what rack and pinion did he use
is he using power steering, which pump and hoses
did he use Bilstine shocks
how is his tire ware
did Industrial Chassis provide all the parts, or just X-member
what year Dakota did the parts come from
how high is the X-member from the ground
how far is the chassis from the center of the spindel

Thanks for your help

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Did he do the install himself
are the arms and springs and spindles from a Dakota
what rack and pinion did he use
is he using power steering, which pump and hoses
did he use Bilstine shocks
how is his tire ware
did Industrial Chassis provide all the parts, or just X-member
what year Dakota did the parts come from
how high is the X-member from the ground
how far is the chassis from the center of the spindel

Thanks for your help

He only brought the crossmember from Industrial Chassis. He did the install himself He went to the bone yard and got all them parts from a 90 Dakota. The truck sits a too high for me but he wanted it that way because he uses it as a work truck. I found a write up for you on a Ford website that should answer all your questions. Just ignore the Ford stuff.lol

Here you go

Dakota IFS



Overview

Only Industrial Chassis offer a cross-member kit (at this time) to adapt the1986 - 1996 Dodge Dakota truck IFS to 1948 through 1966 Ford trucks. The basic cross-member kit is available for $675. It requires you to provide the donor components- A-arms, steering box, spindles, rotors and calipers, etc. Alternately, it can be purchased as a hub to hub assembly for approximately $2750.

Characteristics

• Donor vehicle is actually a truck of similar weight capacity.
• Dropped spindles available for approximately $170.
• Improved handling with an increase in ride stability and ease of steering
• Braking is significantly better, stopping distance versus stock reduced by 50-60%.


Important considerations

• Bolt pattern differs from stock pattern but 1986 - 90 matches the 5 on 4.5 Ford/Mopar pattern.
'91-'96 rotors are 6 lug, 4 1/2" bolt circle, but the older rotors are a direct replacement.
• Installing a fairly common Ford 302 requires new mini-starter and block hugger headers to fit.
• Requires significant welding to attach cross-member to frame. This requires good welding skills and precision measurements.
• Donors may be difficult and expensive to find.
• Total cost to install including rebuilding the donor components can run from $1200 to a high of $2000 based upon difficulty of finding a donor and whether it's components are shot. If you spend 2K then you must have replaced every single moving component from the donor with brand new pieces.
• This is not a Ford suspension. (In case you’re a purist who prefers everything be FORD)
• Requires a dual sump oil pan and appropriate oil pump.
• Not to make this an ad for I.C., but the fit & finish, & welding quality of the kit, was excellent. The directions were about a 8.5- 9 out of 10.



Installation overview

12 to 20 hours of actual work time depending upon your mechanical and welding skills. This includes installing the donor components. Installation is very similar to a MII set up.

Level of Difficulty - 3

Ride Height – Expect 2” drop from stock without the use of dropped spindles (good for another 2”)


Additional notes:

'95-'96 racks are reportedly more sensitive. '95-'96 lower A-arms need to have a hole tapped and a bump stop installed- very easy. Earlier A-arms already have the stop.

Some Dakotas had factory sway bars. According to I.C. the Addco & Quickor aftermarket bars will work.

Per I.C., both Ford & Chevy P.S. pumps will work without mods. V6 & V8 Dakota hoses should work on Chevy pumps; Ford pumps will require custom hoses. One source for these is a farm implement dealer, if no auto repair facility is available. BB Ford engines require that an oil port on the rack & pinion be rotated for clearance. I.C. will do it or supply instructions - no big thing…..

In reference to the oil pan issue, I.C. does state that Ford engines do require a rear sump pan. There's more options here than is commonly thought. Moroso & Milodon carry various pans, some for racing, a couple for 4x4 swaps. If you want Ford, Ford Motorsport...er, Ford Racing lists a couple. Going down the price list, there are rear sump pans for 429/460s in the salvage yards, but they are hard to find. Try 3/4 or 1 ton mid to late-'70s vans. For 302, or 351w engines, they are pretty easy to find- try a late '70s-'early '80s LTD/Crown Vic., or 1/2 ton vans (302 only). There are other vehicles, for sure. There was also a FE rear sump pan. I have no idea as to 351C/351M/400 engines.
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[solidaxel]

Thanks that answers alot of questions and promps even more!!

[Kabwe]

Ha Ha,
Man I tried, what else can I do.lol You better just buy the crossmember and work it out.lol

[solidaxel]

I will if I can get to set right, I am entertaining ALL crossmembers that are the right width for these AD trucks so I am open to suggestions. The budget is pertty high for this item, but I want the right one that is the safest and best riding!!