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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
19:03:51
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 Subject: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
So I keep reading that the hotchkis kits are the best out there for making a Dak handle.... are there any drawbacks? Is there a better way to drop the truck than de-arched leafs and coils?
Does the hotchkis kit help hookup at the strip, or will I need traction bars?
Now that I ordered my cams/intake, suspension is next on the research list.
BTW I have a CC 4.7 5 spd 2002
Thanks,
R/Trottmann
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Buzz
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
19:31:31
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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there aren't any major drawbacks I have found yet, they are custom springs, not just dearched, very good kit.
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DaveR
GenII
1/07/2003
22:38:25
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
I don't know from experience, but I have heard that in a dragrace application with lots of HP and torque it's hard to make the weight transfer to the back wheels. The chassis just stays flat. Of course this is from someone with about 500hp in their dak so your probobly ok.
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handi2
GenIII
1/07/2003
23:45:27
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
The "best" way to drop the front is with drop spindles. The second "best" way is with new control arms. The springs will give you a stiffer ride.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Available Option
Bed Rug/Access Tonnoue Cover/Roadmaster Suspension/HO Cams
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HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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1/07/2003
23:58:34
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
Only draw abck to the Hotchkis kit is price.
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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2003
00:17:27
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
Sounds good, what I'm looking for is a good-handling truck, not tall and bouncy like it is now. And I'm not worried about the price, I'll just take longer to save it up, but I don't want to cut corners.
Should I go with most of the hotchkis kit, but with spindles or control arms up front?
Thanks,
R/trottmann
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xplikt
GenIII
1/08/2003
01:02:11
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
You can't go offroad and your clearance is less, but that's a duh factor. If you're looking to seriously drag you shouldn't be running the Hotchkis anyhow. It's made for handling and that's what it does, very well.
I think you should go Hotchkis all around personally. The stiffer springs will even out the stiffness you'll get in the rear. What you do to one side, you usually always want to do to the other, so it's even.
-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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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2003
14:23:38
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
Why is the Hotchis kit bad for serious dragging? No weight transfer?
I'm planning on putting a blower on it, running mid 13s. I think you're right though, everyday handling and curve carving is a lot more important than the occational run down the strip. I'm assuming that the Hotchkis will work just fine with R/T Wheels?
I guess I'll start saving my pennies for the Hotchkis.
Thanks,
R/Trottmann
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xplikt
GenIII
1/08/2003
15:47:18
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
The Hotchkis is made to keep things super stiff and level, something a drag-like suspension doesn't like. I think you could run 13s with a blower and the Hotchkis just fine though.
-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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buzz
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/08/2003
16:02:23
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
There is a group buy on the hotchkis TVS kit right now.. email me at mxblue23 @ aol.com if you are interested... the price is $695.00 w/o shocks not including shipping... that is about $400 less than on their web site. shocks are still $85 each.
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2003
21:40:19
|  RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Ya get what ya pay for, ya want cheap ya get a bad ride, bad handling, etc... I like my Hotchkis drop, best money I spent. Plus the Dak looks Bitch'n.
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Detlman
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2003
23:00:22
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
I have the hotchkis kit on my truck, front and rear springs and shocks front and rear, I also have the R/T wheels and tires on it. The only setbacks are that there is less ground clearance but not a problem at all its not that low. And I get a slight tire scrape on the top of the fenderwell where the flare stops. Still not really a problem I just need to do a little trimming.
As for ride... well its not bouncy and rolly like before I could almost tuck the tires under when stock and how its sweet ! Its a little stiff over bumpy roads at low speeds but smooths out with speed ( I like to haul ass ! )
I have taken the truck on 500 mile rides with my 2 kids, wife and father in law with absolutely no complaint about ride and comfort. ( I have a quad cab )
I had it lowered with western chassis a arms in front and hangars in back and the hotchkis shocks and it was better than stock but still a little weak and the handling was only a litle better. The biggest reason I switched it is the bushings in the western arms squeaked like the truck was 50 years old and I couldnt stand it.
I have to say with all the trucks I have lowered the hotchkis kit gives the best overall package of all I have tried and while its a little pricy, you get what you pay for. Actually I was so pleased with the suspension that when I ordered the suspension parts for the 67 Chevelle I am building I went with hotchkis springs front and rear and their control arms in the rear.
If you get the kit be sure to get the shocks !!! They make a tremendous difference.
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Hoss318
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2003
23:33:37
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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Message:
Buzz... I'd love to get in on the group buy, but I really have to wait :-( Is there a deadline?
Is that all I'd need, just the kit and shocks? Do I need bushings or anything extra to do the install?
Thanks all,
R/Trottmann
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Buzz
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/09/2003
11:27:19
| RE: Hotchkis drawbacks??
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they only want to extend it till the end of January... email me if you are interested and we will see if we can work something out...
mxblue23 @ aol.com
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