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Broeheem
Gen III
12/12/2001
19:56:27
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 Subject: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
After MUCH hassle trying to obtain a pair of 2" coils, I finally conceded and bought the Hotchkis.
Included with the instructions are two sets of alignment specs.... one for "normal" and another for "performance".
The "performance" specs are highly recomended for Dakotas with wider tires "to minimize rubbing on the fenders", and seem to call for a more radical camber adjustment (wheels tucked in more at the top).
Has anyone done this? It seems that even with this adjustment, there's no way it's gonna make a difference. I have 255/55/18 tires, so they'd have to be sitting at a SEVERE angle in order for them to tuck. Also, wouldn't playing with the camber cause rapid inside tire wear?
I can't help but think that no matter how far I decamber, it's impossible to pull the tires that far in.
Any opinions?
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/12/2001
21:27:56
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Broeheem,
I have the Hotchkis springs and I have the factory 255/65/16 tires. Same width and diameter as your tire. Only difference is the rim size. (Which looks great by the way.)
I had the shop set the truck to the Hotchkis performance specs. The tires do not tuck. If you look at the two specs the differences are very minimal. I have been very happy with the truck. It tracks very well. I could not tell much difference in the way the tire sits in the well before and after. In fact the mechanic said he made almost no adjustments other than toe in when he aligned it.
Hope this helps.
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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Broeheem
Gen III
12/12/2001
22:44:40
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
That makes sense. Thanks, Mark.
Do your front tires rub at all? From what it looks like to me, I'm only gonna have about two inches of travel at best before I'm into the fender.
Oh yeah, another cool thing....
The rear leaf springs have little adjusting plates so I can dial in from 2.5 - 3.5" of lowering.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/13/2001
18:06:54
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
I have about 3000 miles on the truck since the conversion. I've hit some pretty good bumps. I have a couple small marks where its barely rubbed.
I also bought the Bilsteins which are pretty good shocks. They have a good ride quality and modulate the bumps pretty well.
In the future I plan to add flares and go to 18" wheels. I think I will go to a smaller diameter tire when I do. (Probably 28")
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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Broeheem
Gen III
12/14/2001
01:38:56
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Yeah, I'm thinkin' about the Bilsteins, too.
Where did you buy yours? I bought my coils and leaf springs right at Hotchkis (they're just a few miles from me), but haven't picked up any shocks yet. I figured that I'd see how the ride is with my current shocks (ProComp ES 9000's) before I sling anymore cash (credit) at my suspension. I've yet to put the springs on, cuz I don't want to di[k with all that labor, but I'll probably have 'em done by the weekend.
I've been lookin' on the web, but all I see are Bilsteins "for stock suspensions". Do you have the part numbers for the appropriate shocks to compliment the 2/3 drop.
Thanks!
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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cbsdakota
GenIII
12/14/2001
05:05:36
|  RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
How much is that kit? Where is the best place to get it?
Project QUIKV6
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Broeheem
Gen III
12/14/2001
14:05:32
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
cbsdakota:
I paid $173.00 for the coils and $265.00 for the leaf springs. Yeah, I know that sounds like a lot, but here's why I did it anyway:
A) I was having WAY too much trouble finding 2" coils; DJM only offers a 3" coil, Eibach discontinued Dakota coils, I found zero information on Western Chassis or Ground Force, I would've sooner cut my stock coils than use Chassis tech.
B) Hotchkis has without a doubt the best reputation for perfomance and quality.
C) Hotchkis is local to me, so no more waiting.
D) They're NOT Chassis Tech.
E) The leaf springs come with adjusting plates, allowing between 2.5" and 3.5" of drop.
Since Hotchkis sells directly to the consumer, I saw no reason to go anywhere else.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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cbsdakota
GenIII
12/15/2001
05:06:27
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
The way people talked up Hotchkis I was expecting more like $1000 - $1500. You still paid under $450 which is cheaper than the Ground Force and the Belltech I found (which used blocks..yuck!). Thanks for the info. I'll definately be buying the Hotchkis kit now.
Project QUIKV6
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Broeheem
Gen III
12/15/2001
10:20:06
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Keep in mind that I merely purchased the springs, not the entire package, which would include the very expensive Bilstein shocks, the even more costly front/rear sway bars, and performance bushings.
I'll probably end up buying the Bilsteins, too.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/15/2001
22:49:20
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Sorry but I don't have the specs for Bilsteins for the CC. they should be on the Hotchkis site. I bought my kit from Randy Pile at World Wide Performance Parts, RP3141@aol.com (785)478-1106. He is real knowledgable about Dakotas. Has great prices on the Hotchkis stuff. However the Bilsteins were the same as listed on the Hotchkis site. Anyway you go they are expensive.
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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DeepDak
Dodge Dakota
12/21/2001
05:00:07
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Can anyone post those Hotchkis alignment specs? I'll be getting my truck re-aligned soon and might which over. I am running the ground force kit (2"coils/3"leafs) and will run 235/55/17s (when I buy them). Is a 235 considered wide enough to use the Hotchkis specs(I'm thinking yes)?
Eli
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/21/2001
07:08:50
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Heres the STOCK specs for 2WD:
Min. Nominal Max.
Camber -0.12 0.38 0.88
Caster 3.20 3.90 4.60
Toe 0.03 0.03 0.13
Cross Camber -0.50 0.00 0.50
Cross Caster -0.50 0.00 0.50
Total Toe 0.05 0.15 0.25
Hotchkis Performance Alignment Settings:
This set of alignment specs is intended to be a performance setup. If you are using a tire that sticks out past the stock fender, we highly recommend using the performance settings. It changes the normal camber settings. This minimizes the chance that the tire will rub on the inside of the fender lip:
Min. Nominal Max.
Camber -0.25 -0.50 -0.75
Caster 3.20 3.90 4.60
Toe 0.03 0.08 0.13
Cross Camber -0.50 0.00 0.50
Cross Caster -0.50 0.00 0.50
Total Toe 0.05 0.15 0.25
There you go.
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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DeepDak
Dodge Dakota
12/21/2001
13:06:49
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for the specs! Is the toe specs suppose to be different or is that an error? The stock toe spec is 0.03 0.03 0.13 and the Hotchkis is 0.03 0.08 0.13.
Eli
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/21/2001
14:51:15
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Not an error, thats what is on the sheet. The instructions are also available on the Hotchkis site.
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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Jdpower
Dodge Dakota
12/21/2001
17:40:55
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
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Message:
Broeheem
Do you have a pic from the side i wanna see the finished product. Im also considering Hotchkis suspension. thanks
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Marks DQC
GenIII
12/21/2001
17:51:34
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
IP: Logged
Message:
Here's mine:
More pics at:
Marks DQC
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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Broeheem
Gen III
12/21/2001
20:25:41
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
IP: Logged
Message:
Jdpower.....
I still have no website (on vacation for the next couple of weeks - I'll finally post one), but if you shoot me an e-mail address, I'll sent out some pics - all side-shots. My E-add's in my profile.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
1/05/2002
23:01:35
| RE: Hotchkis alignment specs
IP: Logged
Message:
Mark, nice quad cab, i like it. The only thing i have never liked are the white letter tires. I usually run the vehicle in and have tires reversed to blk wall. I just purchased my 2nd Dak, First one is a 2K white CC SLT+ 4.7 AUTO LOADED 36k miles Hotchkis drop 2 front 3 rear, 17x9 RT WHEELS 275X50X17 NITTO TIRES, The 2nd is a 2002 Quad Cab Dak, 4x4,SLT+ Patriot blue.silver trim, loaded up.4.7 auto. I love em both.
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