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black318
Dakota Enthusiast
 
2/20/2001
14:12:42
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 Subject: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I'm 16 years old and I have a 98 dodge dakota with a reg. cab and short bed with a 5.2. I love it. Its a car killer for real. Now I plan to make alot of upgrades and I was wondering if lowering my truck 3 inches in the front and 5inches in the back would slow me down. I heard that it would, I am very curious and I need your guys help on this!
J. Sadler
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nextgen
GenI
2/20/2001
18:46:53
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I don't know if its good or bad black318, but I was also wondering if anyone has installed a 2/4 drop on a 00' 4X4, i know they have kits for the 4X2 but does anyone know of anyone who makes a kit for my truck?? Any help is appreciated.
Tony
2000 4.7L 4X4 SLT Plus Auto
Z-Tube W/ 9 Inch Filter, Custom Exhuast
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Nick
DakotaEnthusiast
2/20/2001
22:21:17
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I have very little expirence with lowering kits, but am positive it will slow you down in the snow, and off road. As well as possibly hamper towing abilities.
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2-V-8
Duel Exhaust, Growler Mufflers
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johnben
Unregistered
2/22/2001
13:48:30
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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J,
As far as on-the-road performance goes, lowering any vehicle generally gives you a very slight boost in top speed, in that it reduces the amount of air flowing underneath the truck and the accompanying turbulence and drag.
Of course, it will GREATLY enhance your speed around corners, through slaloms, etc. That's the real payoff for lowering your Dak. You will be amazed at how much better it will handle.
One warning, though... I've got a 1999 Dakota with the 5-speed, limited slip, and 5.2 engine. I originally lowered mine 3"/5" with control arms (2") and shorter coils (1") up front, and different leaf hangers in the back. I discovered that my front wheels would not 'tuck' fully into the fenders, so that hitting even mild bumps would cause them to catch the inside lip of the top of the fender, scraping the tire. I ended up swapping the factory coils back in to raise the front back up an inch to avoid this.
One of these days I plan on either getting a bodyshop to modify the fenders, or switch to aftermarket wheels with a little less back-spacing, so that I can put the lowered coils back in and enjoy the full drop I payed for.
I'm running the factory 8" wide wheels with 275/60 tires; if you're using a narrower combo you may not have the problems I did.
But go ahead and drop that puppy. It will definitely enhance your driving pleasure if you like to corner fast.
Good luck,
John Bendiksen
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Keith Hamm
Unregistered
2/22/2001
17:42:22
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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nextgen,
Why would you lower a 4x4 ??????????????
If you want a fast truck, get a 4x2. I have a Jeep grand cherokee 4x4, a Chevy 4x4 3/4 ton, and a '01 Dak CC 4x2 4.7 5 speed. I have the best of all worlds,: luxury, 4x4, and speed. In my opinion you buy the vehicle that meets your needs. I don't mean to start anything but I am curious.
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dakguy
Unregistered
2/22/2001
18:09:05
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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well for one thing i got my truck given to me and its a 4x4. Ive always been into the street truck look and want to drop my truck. But being a 4x4 I guess Im just stuck with my ride height for the most part.Other than a couple of cranks on the torsion bars and some leaf springs taken out.
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kota on 20s
Unregistered
2/23/2001
01:33:22
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Hi all my name is Eric, I'm 21 years old and I have a 98 dakota with the 5.2 and 5speed. I did a 4/6 drop on it. I used 2" lower control arms and 2"coil up front, and 3" hanger,2" shakle,1" block and notched the frame in the rear to prevent bottoming out.It has 20x8 inch rims with 255/35ZR20 michelins. The tires rub a little over bumps but,(I get so many compliments on how good it looks) I can put up with it. Lowering the truck totaly changed the cornering abilities. It sticks in the corners like glue (expecilly with a 35 series tire). If you want to go faster in the corners, lower it. If you want to look good and improve the ride, airbag it. That will let you ajust the height with the touch of a button. Mine will be 'bagged before summer. I'll have to cut a lot out of it to fit the rims, but with it tuckin' 20s and riding great it will be worth it.
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nextgen
GenI
2/23/2001
01:45:54
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I think it looks cool to lower it(4X4)...a 4X4 truck lowered just has its own look. Plus it would handle great in the snow and when its wet out, something 4X2's have some problems with. Plus I'm building my truck to go as fast as it can, as soon as aftermarket producers get off there asses, everyone will have to watch out.....
Tony
2000 4.7L 4X4 SLT Plus Auto
Z-Tube w/ 9inch filter, Custom Exhuast, "chip"
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Nick
DakotaEnthusiast
2/25/2001
00:31:39
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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It is lowriding now, and it will contuine to be low riding until you pop at least a 3" lift on it. Trust me man, you'll be much happier lifting the beast. Lowering a 4x4 is kind of like breast reduction surgeroy, is just doesn't make any sense to me.
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 5.2-V-8
Duel Exhaust, Growler Mufflers
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Ricky Wood
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/16/2002
21:13:48
| RE: Why does my truck lean????
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I have a 1998 S-10 extended cab and the truck seems to lean more on the drivers front. It leans when you are in or out of the truck. Does anyone think it's a shock?? I really have no idea.
Much Appreciated Ricky
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/16/2002
22:45:13
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Ricky wood. I use to have a 2K S-10 v-6 4x2 extra cab it leaned from the first day i bought it, new. and when i dropped it 2 inches, it still leaned 3/4 inch lwr on driver side. I was so pissed that i had the truck only a year and went to Dodge Dakota I have two Daks now and i love em both. the chevy s-1o Sucks, sorry but it is true, way over priced and built like crap. you can install a 3/8" poly spacer on the lower side of the front coil spring the one that sags, buy spacer from Bell Tech. spacer is like 15.00
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D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/16/2002
22:46:36
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for spe
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I have a solution for your s-10 problem...I had
a 98 that leaned on the driver side (sorry dak
guys some chevy tech for a second) I lowered
mine with the 3-5 AIM kit, spindles coils, leafs,
and blocks. It leaned on the driver side for
2 1/2 years until I finally checked my packing
invoice from AIM and it said the boots for the
coil springs go on the driver side only...this
will bring your passenger side down a notch
(approximately 1") Hopefully you didnt
purchase AIM components like I did, they
squeak, and rattle like crazy.
For the Dak guy, I just lowered my 2001 dak
3/5 and ended up putting an extra 1" block in
the rear. It hits in the rear now, so hopefully I
will add a C-notch :( I didnt want to cut the
frame, but oh well! Tires only rub on the
freeway at high speeds if i hit a long "floaty"
bump.
Visit www.DJM.com I used their 3" control
arms and 5" shackle hangers in the rear. I
wanted to keep the stock springs, to maintain
most of the factory ride (minus the stiffer
shocks) good luck. If you buy this kit, be
prepared to buy ear plugs to hammer out the
rivets that hold the OEM leaf spring mounts.
That air hammer will burst an ear drum and
bring the neighbours screamin!
D
01/4.7/CC3.55/airaid/Dynomax3"/TBspacer/
180stat/DJMdrop3-6/pegleg :(
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rob k
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/22/2002
10:41:50
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Message:
i own a 2000 dodge dakota R/T and the only thing that needs to be done to it is a drop. i have invested over $15,000 on the engine itslef and that's all i want to do it now. i need to start makings mods to the exterior. the R/T comes with the two inch drop already from the regular dakotas. i need some feeback on what are the best things i can do to make my truck perfect. thanks
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408 Owner
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/22/2002
11:02:17
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I have the western chassis 2" front 4" rear on my R/T and i love it. It is a little ruff over bumps, but the looks are worth it. Plus the kit is only like $400 compaired to like $1000 for the hotchkis. I orginally put drop shocks on it, but now it actually has oil shocks on the front. It helps the front end rise for drag racing, they also work get on the street. The don't bottom out as hard as the drop shocks.
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kevster
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/22/2002
18:31:27
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I own a 2000 DAK 4,7 C CAB, AUTO. Looks like an RT now, And i dropped my truck fnt 2 inches and rear 3 inches with the Hotchkis springs. I strongly feel this is the perfect drop with the RT wheels and 275x50x17 tires, no rubbing and ride is firm..My truck sits 1 inch lower than a bone stock RT. Nothing worse than a truck to Damn Low.. Sucks! but i know it is all personal preference. Be cool.
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rob k
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/23/2002
13:49:23
| lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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thanks to those who responded to my plea(kevster and 408 Owner). i really appreicate your help. with R/T love.....
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Ryan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/08/2002
19:48:57
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Message:
Hey
I was wondering if anyone knows how to lower a 88 chevy 1/2 ton with air bags, i was told the bags won't be able to fit up front
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signman
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/08/2002
21:43:56
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Message:
nextgen, I wouldn't get my hopes up on finding a lowering kit for your 4x4. I too wanted to lower my 2000 4.7 4x4 truck at one time, and contacted a few of the manufacturers who make the lowering kits and it's not good. I didn't want to slam it or anything, just lower it slightly. This was when the truck was Kenne Bell supercharged. Time was coming to get new tires and I wanted some cool rims and a more performance oriented tire/rim combination. Kinda give the truck better handling on road and look alot more like a "sport truck". Something that I could benifit from with all the added power from the Supercharger, but still get me up the road in 2-3" of snow if need be. I decided Nittos and the rims I wanted just wouldn't look right on the 4x4, so I just bought replacement all-terrains and just recently sold the Supercharger off the truck. I've bought a R/T now that is my "lowrider sport truck" and project in the works for speed.
Just thought I'd let you know your not alone with your idea. Unfortunately there aren't enough of us to make a difference.
Paul
----------------------------------------
2000 Intense Blue Dakota Club Cab Sport Plus 4x4, 4.7L, 5sp.,
Borla Headers, Magnum Performance SK 250 Throttle Body,
Flowmaster muffler w/ 3" pipe from cat. back, 3.92 gears,
anti-spin diff., Roadmaster active suspension upgrade,
Street Scene Grill Inserts, Line-X spray-in bedliner,
chrome step rails, ect.
-----------------------------------------------
'98 Black CC R/T, Mopar PCM, 4.56 gears, M1 2bbl Intake,
1.7 RR's, Ported TB, Mopar 2400 Stall Converter,
ATI Shift kit, B&M Trans. cooler, 3" High-Flow Cat,
3" Cut-out w/ electric plate, Flowmaster Cat-Back,
Cold Air intake, MSD 6A Ignition, MSD SS Blaster coil,
brass cap & rotor, Taylor Wires, 3923 Autolite Plugs,
180 Degree Thermostat, Lowered 2" all way round,
ASP Clear corners, Line-X bedliner, Nittos, more to come...
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/21/2003
10:33:01
| RE: Lowering that 4X4
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Nope dont worry bout what anyone would say drop that son of a gun it will be a tad bit more expensive but i have lots of buddies that intentionally buy the Z71 chevrolets with the auto trac 4wd so they can get that extra grip on take off if you want a street truck thats 4X4 is fine really i lower vehicles often and if you want me to research your question and find out how to go about dropping it i will for you just email me back soon and i will be more than happy to do all the leg work for yah all it will cost is you to send me a pic after your done i can give you total cost of parts and what parts you need and what you may find at a salvage yard! so dont be scared you dont have to be stuck with a 4x4 look when you really want a low low
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molchaser
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/21/2003
19:44:55
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I have been asking about a 2-3 inch lowering of 4X4 for about a year and am still trying to get the nerve to remove leaf in back and "untwist" the torsion bars. I have heard some that like it and some say it was a disaster.
To those that don't understand "why anyone would lower a 4 x 4". The answer is pretty simple. Unless you are worried about high centering off road. the lower truck is:
**Easier to get into
**Handles better (if done properly..my concern)
**Easer to use as truck better access to cargo area
**IMHO..looks much cooler
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2003
14:29:42
| lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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well i have a 2002 S-10 w/4.3 regular cab after hearing about air bags and drop kits im wondering what is better for performance bags or blocks, spindals if anyone can help me let me know please
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JustMe
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/14/2003
14:59:05
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Um...do you S-10 guys know that this is a Dakota forum?
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Shane
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2003
16:49:25
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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Bags are better ride but i would not mix them with speed, if a bag blows or air line breaks the truck is coming down and if the front drops you cant turn.
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Jared
Dodge Dakota
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8/21/2003
22:46:58
| RE: lowering trucks suspension good or bad for speed?
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I have a wang!
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