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daksport
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2002
18:27:38
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 Subject: looks low
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Message:
I am 17 and I just bought my 2000 dakota sport. I want to lower it 3 in the front and 5 in the rear. While reading questions I went to look at user name "D" 's dakota w/ a 3/6 drop. I noticed that mine already looks that low. Is this normal. I am new with lowering trucks and I just wanted to see if a lowering kit will make that big of a change. I have also read about people saying hotchkis lowering kits are the best. Where do i buy that and how much do they run for. I also wondered if i should lower w/ control arms or coil springs. Please help me!!!!
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D
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2002
19:02:03
|  RE: looks low
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Message:
3/5 kit is great, it didnt level out my truck, so I
added an extra block.
If you're deciding on a kit, it depends on what
you are looking for, style/comfort, or
style/performance.
Hotchkis is expensive, but will make your dak
handle.
DJM and Western Chassis both make
lowered control arms which are great for
lowering, without sacrificing ride and comfort.
coils are cheaper than control arms, but
control arms allow you to keep the stock
springs, allowing for a more comfortable ride.
In the rear, I used 5" shackle hanger kit, it
raises the leaf spring mounts, but keeps the
stock ride in the rear also.
performance leaf springs are heavy, and
expensive to ship, but will allow you to handle
better.
Hotchkis makes a 2/3 you can purchase direct
through them, but I doubt they have the best
deals to offer.
www.hotchkisperformance.com
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daksport
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2002
20:52:06
|  RE: looks low
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Message:
Thanks. I was wondering what brand you used and what u did for the front. How bad is it really to use coil springs in the front. The hotchkis has coils in front and leafs in back.
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D
Dodge Dakota
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4/29/2002
21:58:56
| RE: looks low
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Message:
its not bad to use coils, but it makes the ride
stiffer. It is easier to align if you use 3" coils
rather than 3" control arms. If you use 3"
control arms, you lose a lot of ground
clearance, but I have never hit anything except
my frame ; ) (godamn speed bumps!)
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JeepXJ1990
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2002
07:24:10
| RE: looks low
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Message:
I was looking at a DJM 3/5 kit. Anyone out there run this? What do you sacrifice when lowering a truck? I am also new to lowering, lifting seemed to always be my first choice (end result working on lifting my Cherokee 10") but I am looking into buying a motorsports edition Dak and lifting that doesnt look very motorsports like. this kit is spring hanger/ shackles in the rear and control arms in the front. If I were to go with control ams, would that help reduce the chance of getting the ugly but prevelant negative camber I see on so many lowered rides? Last question, this truck would be used for towing sometimes, will a lowered truck lose its payload capacity? Thanks
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daksport
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2002
08:31:51
| RE: looks low
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Message:
So the springs will handle better but won't ride
as good. Is the ride changed that much with
springs. I have also heard the djm spings
lower 1-3 inches. What are the odds that the
srings don't lower very far? I wan't the full 3
inch drop on the front. I found the rear
shackles and hangers and coil springs in a kit
for 260 3/5 drop from djm. Will this work good/
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low99dakota
*GenIII*
4/30/2002
09:43:02
| RE: looks low
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My first drop was the DJM 3/5. Just my personal experiens, the springs only went down 2", so I had to get the control arms anyway.
99 Sport, Solar Yellow, DJM 5/7 drop, 18" Coddingtons on the way, 180* tstat, IAT adjuster, autolite plugs, JBA 8mm wires, cap and rotor, MP Intake, JBA headers, 5.9 V8 TB, FUTURE MODS: too many to list
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daksport
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2002
15:20:12
| RE: looks low
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what did you think the ride quality was after you did that? Do you have pictures of the truck after the djm only springs and shackles and hangers?
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n8 dawg
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2002
16:31:43
| RE: looks low
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i just lowered my truck with DJM suspension. 3/5 coils and shackles/hangers.......it actually made my ride smoother than it was. and the hangers are a B!tch! i would of done blacks if i would have know it was that hard.
and i got the full 3" when i lowered mine. and i also paid 260 for my kit at stylinconcepts.com
and i really should of got a 5/7 on my truck it still sits 12" off the ground =( 11" from very bottom. but the 3/5 makes it look alot better!
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87DakBuilder
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2002
21:02:35
| RE: looks low
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dakotasport, welcome to the world of lowering, all I would like to add is, that you should purchase one of these three mags, Sporttruck, Minitruckin or truckin. All of these mags publish information about lowering in every issue, and they have adds with the different companies that offer kits. In short the only way to find out what is the best kit for you is by research, or trial and error. Personally I have a 4/6 kit, but that is untill I get the bags on my 87. Untill then I'll stick with the 4/6. But I had to do a lot of research to find out what worked for me. I suggest you do the same, and if you can do some of the work yourself, definately more rewarding, and it saves money. I'm 25 and money is still an issue with me, so I can only imagine how it is for you. Just some friendly advice, take it or leave it. Good luck with your drop.
87DakBuilder
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D
Dodge Dakota
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4/30/2002
22:41:35
| RE: looks low
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Message:
I have a slight "negative camber" look to my
front wheels, check out the pics:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/p0intless/lst?.dir=/
10,000 miles on these tires though, and they
have worn perfect, I believe with a 3" coil you
can correct the neg camber look. but the 3"
control arm requires a little drilling of the
upper control arm mount, to make the holes
1/4 to 3/8" longer for adjusting during the
alignment.
After driving my brothers S-runner last night,
for 45 min on the freeway, I would definately
go with shackle hangers, the labor is
definatley worth it. (his pics are also on the
site above)
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daksport
Dodge Dakota
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5/01/2002
08:30:27
| RE: looks low
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Message:
I do plan on doing the work myself. Me and
my dad are doing it. Does anyone know if the
summit racing brand kits are any good. They
are a lot cheaper and i know summit is a good
company.
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benzdak
GenI
5/01/2002
10:39:16
| RE: looks low
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Message:
Hey daksport
The front of the truck should be the easiest to do. The back is a pain in the azz... Ya have to either drill or grind the hangers off. Takes 4ever. Just remember to get it alighned when your done. If I was you I would pay a little more for a kit than waste your $$ on a cheap one like I did & have to buy more stuff later to fix it. Whatever you do stay away from Chassis Tech.
Ben
Check Out My Ride www.benzdak.com
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daksport
Dodge Dakota
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5/01/2002
15:52:11
| RE: looks low
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Message:
Benzdak, were the decals that say dakota sport and dodge on top of clear coat or did u get your doors painted after? Your site said u had a k&n air filter, was the tube homemade or did it come like that? How did u get the decals off with out scratching?
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