Questions on lowering and recommendation

Subject: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Hi All,

I have a semi stock sport suspension. I changed to KYB MonoMax shocks and installed a 1 inch quickor rear sway bar and R/T front sway bar. I was thinking of lowering my QC mildly as my next mod. I wanted to keep the things I changed already. I didn't want a super stiff ride because this is actually the family vehicle. There were 3 different options.

1. Hotchkis, 2/3 drop-coil springs and leaf springs

2. Belltech, 2/3 drop-coil springs and lowering shackles

3. DJM, 2/3 or 2/2 drop-lowering control arm and lowering blocks.

I think Hotchkis is more popular. I like option 3 because the front suspension geometry stays near stock and also I get to change out the lower ball joints. Any recommendations, pros and cons? Thanks in advance.

NJQCDak
GenIII

6/02/2005
22:26:52

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Oops!! I messed up my name. It's been a while since I last posted. Duh!!!!

Hi All,

I have a semi stock sport suspension. I changed to KYB MonoMax shocks and installed a 1 inch quickor rear sway bar and R/T front sway bar. I was thinking of lowering my QC mildly as my next mod. I wanted to keep the things I changed already. I didn't want a super stiff ride because this is actually the family vehicle. There were 3 different options.

1. Hotchkis, 2/3 drop-coil springs and leaf springs

2. Belltech, 2/3 drop-coil springs and lowering shackles

3. DJM, 2/3 or 2/2 drop-lowering control arm and lowering blocks.

I think Hotchkis is more popular. I like option 3 because the front suspension geometry stays near stock and also I get to change out the lower ball joints. Any recommendations, pros and cons? Thanks in advance.

'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake, SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel 300 ignition, NAPA Cap, F&B Billet 48mm TB , JBA Ti Ceramic Headers, Autolites 3923s, R/T front swaybar & Quickor rear swaybar, KYB Monomax shocks, Stillen front bumper, Crower 1.7 rockers, Superchips Microtuner

2lowdakota
Dodge Dakota
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6/05/2005
22:51:22

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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For what you are looking for, i would stay away from blocks. They do the job of lowering but you're rear will ride much worse then if u went with shackles or a new leafspring. The new leafspring may be a slightly better option but you can't go wrong with either. The front its to bad they don't make spindles for you're year but as long as u get an alignment afterwords you will be fine in the front. Also look into getting lowering shocks. I got them shortly after lowering mine 4/6 and they made a noticable difference in ride quality.

NJQCDak
GenIII

6/05/2005
23:55:18

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Thanks for responding. Could you describe "...rear will ride much worse...". Would a combination of DJM lowering arms and hotchkis leaf work well? (Ball joints, gee, this is getting expensive) Would the Hotchkis leaf carry normal load weight of a QC. I still carry stuff in the back every now and then. Would the KYB shocks be bad for a 2/3 drop? Any pics? Thanks again.

'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake, SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel 300 ignition, NAPA Cap, F&B Billet 48mm TB , JBA Ti Ceramic Headers, Autolites 3923s, R/T front swaybar & Quickor rear swaybar, KYB Monomax shocks, Stillen front bumper, Crower 1.7 rockers, Superchips Microtuner

2lowdakota
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
00:12:45

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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For a mild drop like that i would say you would be good with the KYB just was saying the drop shocks are an added option even if later on. The leafsprings are designed so they lower the car while maintaining stock qualties same as arms and spindles for front. Unfortunatly doing things the right way, to maintain a stock type ride or a better ride costs money. I have friends that spent $50 to lower there trucks, 4 inch block, removing leafs and cutting coils yea they do the job but in those cars i wouldn't carry any heavy loads. And the rides are horribly stiff and bounce. I spent about 400 on my 90 for spindles, drop springs, hangers, 2 inch blocks and shocks and the quality is much better then theirs. Mines stiff but you aren't going as far as i did. If you spend the extra money you will be much happier in the end.

Cardomain.com has tons of picks there is nothing like getting rid of that wheel gap.

NJQCDak
GenIII

6/06/2005
00:47:11

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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That was quick!! I hear you about paying for what you get. I just read about Western Chassis. Any good? 2 inch drop control arms. Lowering shackles and hangers. If I wanted a 2/3 drop, do I need both the shackles and/or hangers? I'll read through some threads. Thanks for your insights.

'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake, SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel 300 ignition, NAPA Cap, F&B Billet 48mm TB , JBA Ti Ceramic Headers, Autolites 3923s, R/T front swaybar & Quickor rear swaybar, KYB Monomax shocks, Stillen front bumper, Crower 1.7 rockers, Superchips Microtuner

2lowdakota
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
02:06:40

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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I have western chassis spindles and hanger and shackle. On my car the front hanger has three adjustments from an added 1 ,1.5 or 2 inch drop and the rear hanger drops the truck 1 inch non adjustable. I'm not good on which is which, i thought they came as a kit.

NJQCDak
GenIII

6/06/2005
23:35:03

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Would P255/65-16 tire rub on a 2/3 drop? It is 29 inches in diameter. I heard from a little birdie that DJM and WC have some issues with the ball joint cracking or breaking. Any thoughts? Or did they correct their problems?

'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake, SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel 300 ignition, NAPA Cap, F&B Billet 48mm TB , JBA Ti Ceramic Headers, Autolites 3923s, R/T front swaybar & Quickor rear swaybar, KYB Monomax shocks, Stillen front bumper, Crower 1.7 rockers, Superchips Microtuner

2lowdakota
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2005
23:48:01

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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wish i could help you on the ball joint problem but i'm sure some guys on here know

rtdkota
R/T

6/09/2005
16:17:47

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Hotchkis isn't just a drop-- it's a handling package.

Take either of the 2 other choices for suspension drop, and let me drive my RT with Hotchkis on an autocross/road race course.

I'll eat your lunch.

;^)

Just turned 100k miles, 96k miles on my hotchkis suspension. If you are concerned about ball joints, etc... refresh you control arms/bushings @ the same time and be done with it.

Sam

http://www.socaldakota.com/performance_mopar_dakotadurangoram_suspension_controlarms.html

http://www.socaldakota.com/performance_mopar_dakotadurangoram_suspension_hotchkis.html

www.socaldakota.com

NJQCDak
GenIII

6/09/2005
20:02:40

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Hi Sam,

Oh boy, Them is fight'n words. LOL ;-) I emailed you but you haven't replied back regarding Hotchkis. I guess I might have buy you lunch because even if I go Hotchkis, my QC 3.9L is no match for your RT.

I thought about your control arm replacement (sweet!!) but with that and suspension work it would cost me for the parts (~$1300 to $1400) and then I need to pay someone to do the work. I was thinking of doing Hotchkis and replacing the ball joints at the same time. I got to get this past my wife first.

BTW, thanks for the 1.7 rocker arms. I had them about 2 years now and they're great.

'01 QC Sport, 3.9L V6, 5spd, 2wd, Volant Intake, SS Gibson exhaust, MSD Wires, Accel 300 ignition, NAPA Cap, F&B Billet 48mm TB , JBA Ti Ceramic Headers, Autolites 3923s, R/T front swaybar & Quickor rear swaybar, KYB Monomax shocks, Stillen front bumper, Crower 1.7 rockers, Superchips Microtuner

Haligan
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2005
22:57:22

RE: Questions on lowering and recommendation
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Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. I have the DJM 3-5 kit installed on my 98 RC sport. I have no complaints. I run 255/55-18's and have no significant clearance problems...every once in a while they will rub a little when the wheels are turned to lock. The ride is a little stiffer than stock but that could also be the shock I bought(I went cheap on the shocks) Hope this is helpful

P 1

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