About to buy a BDS lift.

PoorMtnKid · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2008 7:46 pm

So I already made my mind up, Iam not gonig to change it for a frank or anything else. What I want to know is what are the other extra things Iam going to need to do this all in one shot. I am gonig to upgrade the front shocks to something better so some suggestions on that would be good. Also I think Iam going to need bump stops. Do I need all four or just the front two? And some suggestions on where I should get those would be great and about how much they cost. Should I go with the shocks the BDS offers with the kit or should I just ditch those and go with all four of the same since I will be buying the front also.

michael_dba · **Joined:** Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:23 am **Posts:** 64

TerraFlex has the front extended bumpstops for $14/ea:
http://www.teraflexplus.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1_10&products_id=79
Call 'em and tell them you just want the bumpstops from the kit in the pic.

For rear shcoks, you can get Napa branded Monroe gas shocks for $22/ea....tell them they're for a 2003 Dodge Dakota 4WD....or go to napa.com and order them.
http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=RR&PartNumber=94215&Description=Shock+Absorber+-+NAPA+Response+-+Rear

Daystar has some rear bumpstops, I think.

Where there's a will there's a way...some LOST folks use hockey pucks stacked and glued with stuff like Liquid Nails for the rear...even cutting a Harbor Freight cheapie rubber mallet to size has been done.

Can you post a pic of the BDS front strut plate when you get it? Curious to see how it compares to the Daystar strut plate.

modular · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:26 pm

Rancho front and rear shocks, the fronts being factory replacement style and the rears being for a Dakota pickup. Summit Racing will have these for one of the best prices you can find. If you order the kit from BDS themselves just choose the option without their rear shocks.

Front shocks: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

Rear shocks: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

Bumpstops for the front...Teraflex extended bumps...great price from trailquest.com. Their part number is 001903200 at $16.20 each (you will need 2, of course). If you keep the rear sway connected you can get away with not having extended bumpstops in the back.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:38 pm

or if you want bumpstops in the back just buy some old hockey pucks and glue them together and you have one thats works great!

PoorMtnKid · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:14 am

Right now I'm in the process of buying a house so cheep is deff a better option. I think I will go with the BDS minus the shocks that they provide. If money permits I will go with the Ranch rears for now and just go with the stock front shock. Anyone have experience with those Napa shocks. I mean for 22 bucks that sounds like a deal. I don't do anything too extreme off road. Just a few trails here and there. As for the bump stops I am going to buy the front ones and go from there. If I need the back ones then I will jimmy something up. thanks for all your help peeps. Also for the guy that wanted me to post a pic of the strut plate. Once I do get it I will post it in this thred.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:55 pm

be sure to post before and after pics of the lift

ObiHann · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:00 am

the bds is 2" front and 1.5" rear right? I thought the front was new shocks and springs, when the rear was just springs and spacers, at least that is what I found for the 02 liberty kity...

modular · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:03 am

Nope, BDS does not offer front shocks in the complete kit, just the optional rear shocks. The fronts are up to you. The 2" front/1.5" rear lift dimensions are correct.

ObiHann · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:55 am

I must of got that confused then. I'm going back and forth between that lift, and a 2.5" dynastar spacer. Do you think I would need new a-arms if I did either one?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:47 pm

If you do ANY lift why in the world would you want to reuse stock junk struts and shocks? Upgrade everything as you go and be done with it.

As far as the upper arms, I ran mine with the stock arms and 3 inches of lift for over 65000 and they are still good and tight, so not needed but does make it easier to get into alignment , well perfect

ObiHann · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:07 pm

Well, for me I can get the bds lift installed for around $800, the dynastar is cheaper, so I was thinking that I would get that + rahcho shocks and struts. But I really don't mind my current shocks or struts, and I enjoy the ride, so that is just to have a better quality lift, and less chance of something breaking. I wish the bds was just a bit higher, 2.5" front, 2" rear and I would be happy

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:17 pm

How many miles are on your current shocks and struts if over 30000 they are already starting to go. Name of the game is UPGRADE, not stay the same and replace later redoing what you have just done 25000 miles ago. Sorry but I am lazy I like to do things one time and be done, although I have had mine apart like 7 or 8 times trying new set ups :lol:

PoorMtnKid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:35 pm

I have 26k on mine right now. And like I said Iam in the middle of buying a house. So cheap is good for now. Then once I get some money saved up may b 2 years down the road ( when the shocks are going out) I will be able to have the money to get something better. Taking it all apart is not a big deal to me I actually like to do that considering I have a garage with a swap cooler and all the air tools needed

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:12 pm

I know what you mean but suspension is not a place to go cheap on especially if its your DD

PoorMtnKid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:20 pm

Has anyone had experience with those Napa shocks?

ObiHann · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:31 pm

LOL, I have about 104'000km/64'000miles on myne. They seem to ride fine so I don't know how they are "starting to go". How could I tell?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:41 pm

For me stock shocks are like the stock tires they are put on to get it to the dealers lot, they are 2.99 items

But with the miles you have why not replace and it will be a GREAT ride instead of OK

ObiHann · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:10 pm

Well, the main reason for not replacing is I don't have the cash. I'm struggling to come up with the cash to get new tires for the winter, let alone plop the $1100+ for a OME lift. Cheaper is better when its all you can afford :shock:

PoorMtnKid · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:18 pm

One day I will replace it and do either EMU or Rancho all the way around. But from now I think I can go with that. I mean if I get this house my tax return will jump up a good amount then i can upgrade! :wink:

ObiHann · **Posted:** Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:53 pm

I won't be doing ANY big upgrades this year other than what needs to be done, but I'm hoping that in the spring me and the wife will have some more disposable income, so we could afford a nice lift. Of course by that time she will be needing her own wheels, so best I can probably do is try and get her inlove with a tj

About to buy a BDS lift.

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