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Jeff M
Dodge Dakota
11/16/2001
23:51:37
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 Subject: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
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Message:
Hey guys... I have been reading these forums for a dew days now and I think I am more confused now than before coming here...
I am looking to lower my new 2001 QC 2x4 w/4.7... The reasons I am doing this is because I like the looks of a slightly lowered truck and for better handling characteristics. My previous car was a Honda Prelude, and well, I am sure most of you can imagine the difference in handling.
A few concerns I have are the following...
Camber... Is this something I should be worried about? I plan on doing perhaps a 2/3 drop.
Towing... I use this truck to tow an 18' boat that weighs under 3500lbs. Towing is infrequent, but I need to be able to do this a few times a year.
Handing... I don't mind a stiff suspension, as it is what I am used to... I just don't want to bounce around a whole lot.
What type? I am relatively new to much of this, but certainly capable of doing my own job with the proper instruction. It looks like front coils are going to be the way to go. I am very confused abotu what I should do to the rear.
Any suggestions? What kits to stay away from? What rear meathod of lowering would not effect my towing capability,
Thanks guys.
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Marks DQC
GenIII
11/17/2001
09:00:16
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
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Message:
Jeff,
I went with the Hotchkis 2/3 drop on my 2001 QC 4.7 and I am very happy with it.
Camber - Always get a good quality front end alignment when you raise or lower a truck. Hotchkis includes recommended settings for alignment which are slightly different from the factory settings. I am very happy with these settings.
Towing - An strength of the Hotchkis. The redesigned leaf springs do not compromise towing capacity. I'm sure whether or not blocks/shackles do.
Handling - The Hotchkis kit stiffens up the ride. I compare the ride quality to my Camaro SS or a new vette. (No it's as fast and can't turn as well, just the ride quality stand point.) I spent the money for the Bilsteins and I'm convinced they make the difference.
Tire Rub - This is the most often question I get. With the 29" original tires I have not had any tire rubs in 2 months on some pretty rough roads.
On the down side Hotchkis is one of the more expensive kits out there. But it's a well engineered system.
A cheaper way to go is to get lowered A arms or shorter springs in the front and use blocks or shackles in the back. This can be done for 1/4 the price of the Hotchkis, but usually the ride quality suffers.
More pics of my QC:
Marks DQC
Good luck!
2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55 LSD, Garnet Red over Slate, Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Wet Okole Covers
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Jeff M
Dodge Dakota
11/17/2001
09:54:35
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
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Message:
Mark...
Yeah, I have seen your truck, and thats EXACTLY the look I am going for... I also saw you mention the ~$1200 price tag which is what scared me away however.
I was hoping to get similar results with perhaps another kit.
Was the installation of your Hotchkis kit all that difficult? I was checking out the PDF installation files they have on their site and it looks pretty easy for the leaf spring installation.
Has anybody ever ordered items from the items in the Hotchkis "Garage Sale" part? Items there are about 30-40% off regular prices. Perhaps they will run a special on a dakota lowering kit in the future (I am in no rush to get this done).
Thanks,
Jeff
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Marks DQC
GenIII
11/17/2001
20:49:03
|  RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
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Message:
Well I need to make a correction.
I was cleaning up the truck today and I found out the driver front tire has evidently hit a couple times. There are some shallow cut marks right where the sidewall meets the tread. They aren't bad enough to worry about the damage, but it means I will have to be more careful. Think I know where I might have done it over some RR tracks I hit at speed.
Darn. Oh well, a good reason to eventually get some 28" tires.
2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55 LSD, Garnet Red over Slate, Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Wet Okole Covers
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Grant
Dodge Dakota
11/18/2001
15:47:55
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
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Message:
I agree with Mark. I've got the same kit and it's great. It's fairly easy to install. I did it with a friend of mine who's a backyard-mechanic-type guy over two days. The rear leafs were easy. Doing the front took about 6 hours for the first side and about 2 hours for the second. Not impossible, but took a while to figure out.
You can pay less, but you tend to get what you pay for.
Sporttruckdirect.com has a Western Chassis kit: 2" A-arms for the front, hangars and shackles for the rear. With 4 Nitro Slammer shocks, it's about $560. Problem: lower equals less wheel travel, so you want stiffer than stock springs or you'll get more rubbing.
AIM has Chassis Tech stuff. A pair of 2" coils for the front $59. 2" or 3" leafs are $99, 4" leafs are $119. With 4 shocks, you're looking at about $370. Problem: Their quality can be an issue. Ask around.
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D
Dodge Dakota
11/30/2001
01:43:06
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
you dont need stiffer than stock springs,
unless you want better handling. Sway bars
should solve that though. I used 3" DJM
control arms, and 5" shackle hangers in the
rear. My tires have never rubbed, but I'm
running the stockers, 215/75/R15, if you have
the 16" wheels, you might rub with a mild
drop. DJM kit is a little less than $500 and
comes with shocks, ball joints already
installed in the control arms, and zerk fittings.
If you want to keep the comfort of the stock
dak, and just make it look more aggressive,
DJM is the way to go
www.godfathercustoms.com
www.djmsuspension.com
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Dakaty
GenIII
12/05/2001
15:04:55
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
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Message:
Mark
Good looking stance on your QC!!! I'm thinking I may lower mine and like the look of yours - not too low...
However, it looks like the rear is more than 3" lower than stock. I say that because my QC looks like it has a huge space over the rear tire. Did you measure before and after?
Was the $1200 price tag for total parts and install labor?
Thanks
Bill
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/05/2001
18:45:03
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
Bill,
I did measure and the rear drop was actually 3 1/2" on the pass and 3 1/4" on the drivers side. It sits level, but did not from the factory. The Hotchkis springs come with four 1/4" plates that can be used to adjust the rear height. I ended up with 2 plates under each side.
Mark.
2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55 LSD, Garnet Red over Slate, Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Wet Okole Covers
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D
Dodge Dakota
12/06/2001
23:13:44
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
not level from factory??? did you measure on
level ground?
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Dakaty
GenIII
2/11/2002
12:30:00
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
Marks DQC
Have you noticed any additional tire rubbing on the front?
I am thinking I might go 1" lower on the front of my QC and use the Hotchkis leafs in the rear. Don't the leafs have spacers so that I could adjust the rear drop from between 2" to 3"?
Thanks
Bill
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Marks DQC
GenIII
2/11/2002
17:26:34
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
No additional rubbing since the first time I found it. It had pulled the fender well lip down and was making contact often. The lip is back up and I am a little more careful when I go over bumps. When time comes for a wheel/tire change, I am planning to go to 28" tires.
I measured in the garage which is about level as one can get. I would bet there is a factory tolerance on this. 1/4" is not very noticable.
2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55 LSD, Garnet Red over Slate, Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Wet Okole Covers
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Dakota/cali
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/15/2002
13:36:02
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
Grant 6 hours just for the front?Just springs I could do it in a hour with a arms hour and a half.Your buddy sounds like he isnt much of a mechanic but neither am I its just commensense.My truck is the only one I have ever lowered lifted several though. Good luck
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handi2
GenIII
2/18/2002
09:06:49
| RE: Lowering 2001 QC 4.7
IP: Logged
Message:
I have the 2002 Quad Cab. I had it lowered 2" in the front and 3" in the rear. I did this b/c I use a wheelchair. It was done at a local custom shop. I do get a front wheel bump when driving fast over bumps. The ride seems a litle worse than stock. I have noises I didn't have and popping in the ball joints at times. They did the A arms in the front and springs in the rear with stock shocks. They said they will service it for free until I am happy with it. Any ideas on the noises...? Thank You
2002 Quad Cab SLT 4.7 Every Avaiable Option
Bed Rug/Access Tonneau Cover/2"by3" drop
Airaid Intake/Jet 2/Roadmaster Suspension/Bed Extender
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