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Lowered / Slammed Dakotas
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TCalYen
Dodge Dakota
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11/11/2003
15:17:56

Subject: 4x4 Drop Shock Question
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Ok, after a couple of months of searching and a lot of misinformation I've found some 2" to 3" shorter than stock shocks for my Durango 4x4. Toxic makes them. I know that they aren't as good as some of the other drop shocks out there but the "other ones out there" don't make them for my application. Any "heads ups" on the toxic shocks? Are you guys sure that putting the shorter shocks on won't make me rub and bottom out any more than I already am. I have 23s and I cut the front and rear bump stops in half and I'm still bottoming out. Do ya'll think I should throw on some cushioned bumb stops and if so where should I get them?

And if anyone has any idea how to lower my 4x4 Durango's front end "without" cranking the torsion bar down PLEASE let me know. I know some of you have lowered 4x4 Durangos and Dakotas before but your damn hard to get in touch with!

My freakin' front wheels have some serious negative camber.

Help me out on the shock opinion and the front end lowering question.

PS. Leave the "Why are you lowering a 4x4" comments out of this post...

Thanks in advance for the help!

Peace,

TCalYen



Rob454
Dodge Dakota
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11/20/2003
12:00:13

RE: 4x4 Drop Shock Question
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As far as I know the only place that even remotely makes a lowering kit for a 4x4 is Beltech and they only make it for the 4x4 chevy older K series suspensions.
the only way youre gonna lower your front end is by cranking down the T bars. If you look at the a arms you can crank them down to the point where they are flat ( imagine a flat line from the left lower ball joint to the right lower ball joint.) that should give you a inch or so with no CV joint problems. Youll need to align it again though. for the rear you can either go blocks ( dont gorget to use shims to realign the pinion angle) or make or have someone make lowering shackles. Best way to do it really is to either dearch your springs or have a custom set of springs made. At my shop we use Deaver to make all our springs. that would be my option.
If you want to slam the truck most likely youre gonna have to have the front suspension redesigned ( $$$$) you cant change the spindles cause of the CV shafts. If you really want to get slammed your best bet would be to sell it and go 2 wheel drive. or do what GM did to the S 10. they lowered it 2 inches by cranking the T bars down got different rate rear springs put on a body kit to make it look lower, added a turbo and all wheel drive tranny from a astro van and called it a Syclone. ( they did the same thign with the Blazer and called it a Typhoon.)
those are really your potions.
There are jsut not that many guys lowering 4x4 durangos. another thing you can try is t bars from a V6 dakota I think they have a lower tensile rating but Youre better off with the V8 ones cranked down slightly.

As for the bump stops You can go to any 4x4 shop and tell them you want the polyurethane bump stops that came for 89 GMC trucks ( lift kits) ( 2 wheel drive) they have a low profile mabey 1/2-3/4 total and a threaded shaft in the middle. cut off your old bump stop pocket drill and tap the frame and screw it in. You really want to have some sort of cushioning between the a arm and the frame
Good luck
Rob



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