Hotchkis shock question - Dodge Dakota Forum

Subject: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
I am going to be purchasing my Hotchkis 2/3 kit in the next few days but don't have the extra $300+ for Bilstein shocks. Is there another shock I can go with or should I just save my money and wait? Some people have said on here that Belltech and Toxic shocks are good. I just need some extra help.

matt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/01/2003
02:38:44

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
hell ya dude im in the same exact boat as you. someone please help because im goin off to college next summer and i dont wanna have to replace any shox once im there. should i save up for bilsteins or is there another thats up to par with those. i heard something about some deuotsche shox or somethin like that?? thanx to anyone for help

wuba
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/01/2003
11:35:51

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
I just put Hotchkis on 3 weeks ago and put the summit sport shocks on (they are deuotsche shocks). The front is fine but I just ordered the Bilstein shocks for the back. The back rides very ruff so I'm hoping it will smooth it out.

matt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/01/2003
12:37:35

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
but what about in longevity? will they last as long?

rt13
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/01/2003
14:32:47

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
FWIW i bought some KYB gas-a-just shocks off someone who ordered them for a stck height r/t. he took them off shortly b/c the shocks were too short, i dunno how they can label them as for stock, i dropped my r/t 2/3 (3/4 for reg. daks) and they match up perfectly with the height. i havent installed them yet, but just by messing with the, i can tell you these b1ches are stiff. suposedly real good quality, ill report back once i install then.

postman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/01/2003
17:06:51

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
FWIW my 99 has 3" drop springs in the front and 2" blocks in the back just to clean it up. I'm still running the stock shocks on mine and it rides pretty good

rt13
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/02/2003
16:57:44

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
im on my stock shocks as well, once they break into the drop a lil, they are fine. fine enough to were i saw no reason to install my belltech's. but because they are not valved for the drop, they wont last too long, youll know it once they go, the ride starts to get a lil harsh.

matt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/03/2003
18:29:56

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
so say i intall the 2/3 kit, i have a 2000 cc r/t with 55000 miles....how long should the stock shocks last?? also, if they were to go while i was driving would it make such a huge diffrence to where i couldnt steer right or anything, or just a bumpier ride? thanks for all yall's help though

rt13
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/05/2003
18:00:07

RE: Hotchkis shock question
IP: Logged

Message:
bumpier ride and loss of nice handling are the symptons (at least in mine). nothing dangerous. my stock shocks lasted about 8 months before they finally had it, it took about a week of hard drving to break them into the new stance (boy was the ride rough).

if your like me, and on a budget, i'd go ahead and do the drop, but buy the shocks ASAP so you have them when you need them.

matt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE

11/06/2003
19:45:01