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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
01:53:43
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 Subject: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
I saw this really nice lowering kit from Western Chassis at www.sporttruckdirect.com
the 4"/6" Deluxe Drop Kit, $719.95
It comes with: 2" a-arms, 2" coils, 2" shackles, 2-2.5-3" hangers, 1" lowering block kit, and frame supports. I think I definately want to get this kit, and also get some Doestch Tech shocks. So alltogether, it'll end up costing around $880 dollars, not including shipping. To me, that seems like a pretty good price! But does anyone know of anywhere else that this same kit could be found, possibly at a lower price?
Also, on average, how much does it cost to have a lowering kit installed?
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xplikt
GenIII
1/09/2003
09:25:05
|  RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Their site may say somewhere, but they usually list the time it takes a experiences person to get that stuff installed. You can always email or call them. Depending on where you live, the going rate is around $65/hour at most places.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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Jeremy
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
13:24:48
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Don't get them shocks....they suck
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daniel b
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
15:50:21
|  RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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dude if you got any mechanical skills u can doit yourself its not hard you justgot to get it alligned after i did a ranger and an s10 just takes time bout a half daY IF you got the tools
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
18:48:50
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
I guess I could do it myself...
I am good with anything hands-on, so I guess I could.:)
Thankx for feedback, all!:D
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
22:26:41
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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BTW, what is used to cut a c-notch?
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93venom
Dodge Dakota
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1/09/2003
23:49:04
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
it will take you at least a half a day to grind those rivets for the hangers-- rangers use flipkits and s10s use springs and blocks--iv lowered s10s 5 and 6 inches in 2.5 hours, but ive heard of it taking up to 9 hours to grind those rivets out on the dakota
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xplikt
GenIII
1/09/2003
23:54:45
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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The best way to take care of a rivet is to drill it out or to take an air chizel to it -- prefferably the air chizel. If you don't have any air tools, a simple drill works fine. It doesn't take that long. Took me less than 15 minutes to drill out the rivets to the front bump stops. Just be sure to have a good bit.
A grinder would take a while. I don't see 9 hours though, unless you're using like a very fine grit.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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93venom
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/10/2003
00:30:46
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
well there is a BIG difference in grinding off those rivets that hold a rubber bumpstop on, and the ones that support the leaf spring, take a look for yourself,, just my 2 cents though...i myslef am going with 3 inch springs and 2 inch block in rear, dont want to chance messinin up my hangers
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xplikt
GenIII
1/10/2003
02:38:27
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Of course it'll take longer, as they are larger, but you should still be able to use a drill. That's how I've always taken off rivets on most things. Drilling can take some time, but it's considerably faster than grinding.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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CASDAK
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2003
13:06:02
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Fenris,
Make sure you have an extra set of hands to help you do this drop. My friend and I lowered my Dakota in just an afternoon...including removing the factory rivets. Also...if at all possible, take the bed off. We lowered mine with the bed on the truck, but we didn't have to install a notch on mine. Personally I would have taken the bed off, but we decided that it wasn't necessary for my drop.
The front is the most straight forward thing you can do. Just watch out for the "stored energy" in the front coils. Make sure that all tension is released off the coil springs...safety first.
I would recommend a sawsall or something similar to install the notch. This will also lower the amount of time you spend in the shop.
The lowering kits are very simple to install, so don't be intimidated. Just take your time and have fun...that's most important.
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/10/2003
18:50:47
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Just gotta get more tools first!:)
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xplikt
GenIII
1/11/2003
08:39:43
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Just watch out for the "stored energy" in the front coils
That's an understatement. Man would that hurt.
-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out, straight piped 3rd cat, turndown tip
Hotchkis swaybars and springs
Bilstein custom tuned shocks
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Shaved emblems and antennae
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RojoLoco
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/13/2003
04:39:31
|  RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
That is the same kit that I was looking at. I have never lowered a vehicle before. I have a '98 club cab. How smooth is the ride with the kit? I am also wondering what size rims and tires I could fit with that kind of a drop.
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/blackdak
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2003
04:47:54
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
It'll most likely make the ride quality rougher, but it makes the cornering a whole lot better. I have 2" blocks on my truck right now, at first, I could really tell the ride quality got rougher, but after a while, they seem to break in and the ride quality feels fine. Maybe you just get used to it.
If you get some good shocks along with the kit, like some Bilsteins, Toxic's, or Doetsch Techs, it should bring the ride quality to a really good level.
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/14/2003
04:54:24
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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BTW, from what I've seen, you can fit just about any size rims on even with a big drop, even 22's, it just depends on the size of the profile on the tires, and you'd possibly have to cut more space into the wheel wells. I'm planning on some 19x10 front rims, and some 19x13 rear's... I'm not going to do all of this to my current Dak, I'm gonna find a salvageable Gen. III R/C just like mine, put the 4/6 drop on it, modify the rear to accomodate the 19x13's, drop in a 408, 6-spd. tranny, Kenne Bell SC, and lots of really neat stuff.:) It'll be a while till its all done, though, but I can't wait! I'll keep you guys posted on this endeavor.
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chris
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2003
18:17:32
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Don't get those shocks, you will bottom out and break everything in your front end. You are better off running without shocks then runnin with those, just ask Jessye..
--
Chris
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Edward Murray
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
20:09:41
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
What kind of shocks do you recommend then? I bought belltech nitro-drops and they blew after 4 weeks. I can't believe it. I wonder if they are covered on some kind of warrenty...
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/20/2003
23:57:52
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
YEa, I've heard a lot of bad things about Doetch Tech now...
Anyone reccommend some shocks?
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benzdak
GenI
1/27/2003
19:42:05
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
I got some Toxic Shocks on my truck right now. It rids kinda rough though. I heard Edelbrock are good, and so are Monroe. But i've had mine on for over a year & no problems yet.
Ben
Check Out My Ride www.benzdak.com
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IBSRJOE
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/30/2003
21:52:49
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
A FEW OPINIONS HERE:
1) I HAVE BEEN RUNNING TOXIC SHOCKS FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS INCLUDING A 65 MPH ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. THEY STILL RIDE LIKE THEY ARE NEW AND I LOVE THEM.
2) I USED THE SHACKLE AND HANGER KIT ON MY TRUCK, REMOVED THE BED WHILE INSTALLING, AND WAS DONE AND DRIVING IN ABOUT 4 HOURS. HAVE A FRIEND HELP YOU OUT AND ITS REALLY NOT ALL THAT HARD TO DO. JUST MY 2 CENTS ON THINGS.
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midnightdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2003
23:23:22
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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hey you have that kit installed yet FENRIS,i ordered the 3/5 kit and i guess i'll just buy a case of beer and get some friends to help me.
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2003
00:31:01
|  RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Nope, not yet, don't have the money for it yet...:(
However, I think I'm gonna go for a DJM 3/5 kit instead.:) Cheaper, less work to install, and less rubbing issues to worry about. Will I have to cut c-notches still, though? I've got all the tools I need, plus my neighbor has some welders/cutters.:) but if possible, I'd like to avoid C-notches. Could I just shave off from the OEM bumpstops, or maybe put in some shorter ones?
Also, I wanna get some R/T 17"x9" rims and wrap em in Kumho ECSTA 711 255/45HR17's. Would I have any issues with rubbing there?
After that, I'm gonna get the body re-painted bright white and have some orange-red racing stripes put on while they're at it.:D
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midnightdak
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2003
12:38:09
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Message:
Well FENRIS,there's no need for a c-notch and i don't know about the bumpstops but i'll get back to you if no one else has help you out,because mine will prolly be lowered next saturday.I don't think you should rub with thoughs r/t wheels cause i know a couple guys with that drop on an r/t.I got my 3/5 kit for 300,don't get your djm kit straight from djm in cali,because they wanted 390 i dont know why but stylinconcepts only wanted 300 and that day they had free shipping so i got off a little cheaper,but you will prolly get it sooner from stylinconcepts cause there in ohio and your in texas if i remember corectlly.Hope this helps.
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Fenris
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2003
18:22:58
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Thanks for the help, midnite.:)
I'm gonna go for the a-arms/hanger kit. It's priced for $470 at stylinconcepts.
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RojoLoco
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
21:11:09
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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Well, it is slowly coming closer to the time to get the 4/6 drop kit. I was looking at the Panther Juice 6 20" rims. How Would those fit on my Dakota. The tires it recommended are P275/45/20. I don't remember exactly. Anybody got any info?
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ben
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
21:48:59
| RE: I think I FINALLY made up my mind.
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i got used 5in shackles/hangers for 80 bucks, and got spring tech 80 dollar 3in drop coils for my 97 reg cab 5.2 2x4 5spd. i took the bed off, and it took 4 hours for the complete 3/5 drop. next week i will hopefully get some new shocks, so far i only spent about 160 total
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