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IdahoQuadCab
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2003
22:35:01
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 Subject: Lowering a 4WD Dakota
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I'd appreciate hearing from persons who've actually done this. I'm interested in adjusting the torsion bars to lower the front of my 2000 4.7/AT/4x4 Quad Cab from 1 to 2 inches. I do not wish to modify the rear suspension in any way. I'd like to hear about your experiences involving:
1. How many alignment adjustments were required (or even possible)once you dropped it. Was the camber and tow changed a lot by doing this?
2. Why would lowering the front change the spring rate? (I read such statements on this site.) Isn't it the same spring--slightly rotated?
3. Has bottoming or hitting the stops been an issue? Did you trim or change them?
4. Are you aware of any damage or premature wear to the drivetrain as a result of these changes?
5. Did you have to change the shocks?
Thanks for your time.
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crashgsxr
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
20:33:09
|  RE: Lowering a 4WD Dakota
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Anytime you adjust the torsion bars on a vehicle it will change the alignment of the tires. The spring rate will change slightly but may not be noticable with only a few cranks of adjustment. The reason the spring rate would change is the torsion bar is basically like a coiled spring wound extremely tight. If the torsion bar is loosened than it takes some pressure off the torsion bar. Do your own test at home, take a super tightly wound spring and compair it to a larger not so tight spring. The larger spring will bend a lot easier. An alignment shop can adjust the toe and caster with ease. I lowered my 4x4 5 1/2" in the front and it works. The biggest thing you want to look at is the angle of the cv shafts. They should be at a 45 degree angle to the hub. You don't want to put it at anything less than about a 15 degree angle. Having the cv shaft at anywhere between 15 degrees and -15 degrees will cause damage to the half shaft and joint. If you have any questions feel free to email me. crashblood@aol.com
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IdahoQuadCab
Dodge Dakota
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3/06/2003
22:52:39
|  RE: Lowering a 4WD Dakota
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Thanks, crashgsxr. Good insights. I'll only be lowering a fraction of what you've done. It's good to know the outer limits. Please clarify what you mean by "45 degree angle to the hub" and then later you say "anywhere between 15 degrees and -15 degrees". 45 and 15 degrees from what? I'm not familiar with those specs.
And If I haven't used up too much of your time with my slow learning process, I'm still a little fuzzy on the spring rate lowering as the vehicle is lowered. Your analogy would make sense to me if the front suspension was topped out at the present ride height, in my mind, this would preload the bar and make it harder to twist. But the suspension only tops out after jacking the frame a few inches which tells me that only the vehicles weight is loading the springs, and that wouldn't change by lowering the static height. Would it?
Thanks again for the help, and any more you might have.
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crashgsxr
Dodge Dakota
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3/07/2003
20:01:10
| RE: Lowering a 4WD Dakota
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What I mean by 45 degree angle.... using the ground as bottem a 90 degree angle would be straight up right. "L" 90 degree's right. I'm not trying to insult you if I come across that way. Anyways, if you look at the way the axle is entering the wheel hub it should be heading down hill from the center diff. That angle would be about a 45 degree angle. When you lower the front end it will cause the axle to straighten out reducing the angle the axle enters the hub. If the axle gets too straight like a 15 degree angle the axle will bind destroying over time either the axle joint or the axle itself. IF that helps let me know. Try emailing me I don't check the forums too often. Good luck!
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