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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2004
11:15:27
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 Subject: lowering front 1 inch
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Message:
Hi guys, a quick question. I just lowered the rear end of my 98 standard cab/box Dak 2 inches to level it out and now I find it not as nice as I wanted it. Is there a way I can lower the front end 1 inch to give me a slight angle down towards the front? I dont want to cut springs (everybody says that and I want to agree with them) but all the "kits" seem to be 2 inches or more. I think 2 inches would be 1 inch too much in my opinion. Any ideas?
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Mark Mazzanti
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2004
12:05:23
|  RE: lowering front 1 inch
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If it is a V-8 Dakota you could put R/T front coils on, I think they 1 inch lower than stock dakotas
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2004
14:20:01
|  RE: lowering front 1 inch
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I have a stock V6. I thought of that but the RT springs with the lighter engine wont do anything (might even raise it!). Somewhere in the archives someone said to use S-10 springs, but I dont know...
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TERRY
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
08:04:20
| RE: lowering front 1 inch
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Message:
Cutting coil springs with a die grinder or anything but a torch, doesn't hurt the springs one bit. It will not create any safety issues unless you cut too much, to the point of bottoming out.
If you remove half a coil you will probley get the 1" drop you want and have no problems.
Remove the same amount on both springs, cut the end that goes into the control arm(faces the ground) and then re-chamfer the end that goes into the pocket. MAKE SURE YOU CUT EXACTLY THE SAME AMMOUNT(+/- 1/16") OFF BOTH SPRINGS or truck may sit unlevel
It may feel a little stiffer due to removing coils DOES increase the spring rate a little.
If you want more than an inch, buy drop coils.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
09:17:22
|  RE: lowering front 1 inch
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Message:
Thanks Terry, this is good information. The 2 inch drop that most of the kits start at (for me) are too much. I just want to get a slight forward rake on the truck. Cutting off 1/2 a coil with a die grinder is something I can do, and wont break the bank.
Now all I need is a free weekend and good weather.
thanks
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TERRY
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
19:29:29
| RE: lowering front 1 inch
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Message:
Good luck, it's a fairly easy job.
I have done this a few times on my truck, here are a few tips.
1. measure the top of tire to fender to get an accurate reading so you know where you started and how much drop you got per length of coil removed.
2. put truck on jack stands. use four, one on each side under frame in the area of box/cab gap and a set on each side right behind front wheelwell, like at bodymount. Lower truck onto front stands and wedge the rear stands to about the box gap. The truck will have to be quite high in the front, high enough so the lower control arm can swing almost staight down.
3. to get the spring out you only need to pop out the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. You can leave all the break stuff on.
Unbolt shock from low cont.arm, place floor jack under cont.arm where shock was mounted, jack up arm a little so you know the jack has the spring pressure on it.
loosen the lower ball joint nut and turn it a few threads from the steering knuckle DO NOT take the nut off yet.
Now take a BIG hammer and carefully tap on the end of the ball joint(the threaded part)DO NOT hit it so hard that you wreck the threads. I use a 5LB sledge hammer and it only takes a few taps to pop it loose.
once it pops loose your "nut gap" should be closed so you know the ball joint is loose.
now take the nut off, jack up the arm until you can clear the joint from the knuckle, and slowly lower the jack. the spring will almost fall out now. A rubber doughnut will come with it, keep these and remember to reinstall them, they keep the springs from squeeking.
4. use a flexible ruler or tape to measure around the outside circumference of the spring to get both springs the same, mark it and wrap tape around the coil for a guide, then double check both your marks.
after cutting, grind or cut a little chamfer on end of spring just like it was stock, this helps it fit into the spring pocket better. When installing the springs make sure the ends sit in the pocket the same on both sides or truck may sit uneven.
START WITH 1/2 A COIL it may take more to get a 1" drop, but if you take too much it might drop it 2"or more, and stock springs may not be stiff enough to keep you from bottoming out if you get too low. It will go quick if you have to take it apart again to cut more spring. You'll need the experience anyway for when you want to drop it more, once you start you can't stop.
have fun!
P.S. these are not step by step instructions just helpful tips.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
19:37:09
| RE: lowering front 1 inch
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Message:
Wow, this is insight! forget the haynes book (waste of money anyway). I will print this and keep it in the garage. I am thinking next weekend will be the day.
Thanks Terry, this is great!
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TERRY
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
20:27:49
| RE: lowering front 1 inch
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Message:
I just want to say that I have not done this to stock springs so I don't know how much 1/2 coil will get you.
I cut 3/4 of a coil out of my beltech 2" drop coils and got an additional 1" of drop.
My beltech coils have less of an angle on the coils than stock ones, for example on the beltechs 1 full coil might be 1" in coil hieght and on the stock coils 1 coil might be 1.5" in coil hieght.
Remember 1" in coil hieght is going to be much more at the tire.
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