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tony suon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/31/2002
20:53:51
|
 Subject: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
hotchkis 2 inch sport springs or western chassis/djm arms to lower the front of my 2wd v8 durango? pros and cons of each? i know theres a price difference but if it is the pros of getting arms outweight the cons of spring, ill save up the extra 150 bucks and get arms instead, thx for the response,
and the best way to drop the back 3 inches? i have my eye set on hotchkis 3 inch leaf springs, are there any better/cheaper alternatives?
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kota on 20s
GenIII
1/31/2002
22:55:13
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
if you want a good (stock) ride, do the arms, and you can do a 3" block in the rear for about $40. if you like to take corners a little fast, and dont mind a stiffer ride the the hotchkis springs all around.
Eric
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handi2
GenIII
2/01/2002
12:05:31
|  RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
I used the lowered A arms in front for a 2" drop.
In the rear I used new leaf springs for the 3" drop. I do hit the front stops if I hit a large hole. The ride is great butg I now have squeeks and noises that I did not have when stock.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus
4.7 All Options
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Option
|
handi2
GenIII
2/01/2002
12:06:32
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
I used the lowered A arms in front for a 2" drop.
In the rear I used new leaf springs for the 3" drop. I do hit the front stops if I hit a large hole. The ride is great butg I now have squeeks and noises that I did not have when stock.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus
4.7 All Options
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Option
|
handi2
GenIII
2/01/2002
12:09:39
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
I used the lowered A arms in front for a 2" drop.
In the rear I used new leaf springs for the 3" drop. I do hit the front stops if I hit a large hole. The ride is great butg I now have squeeks and noises that I did not have when stock.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus
4.7 All Options
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Option
|
tony suon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/01/2002
12:19:00
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
is there any problems with alignment between arms and springs?
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handi2
GenIII
2/01/2002
12:34:29
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
I was told by the installer at the local custom shop that the dropped "A" arms were better than springs b/c they keep the original geometry of the front end. The alignment shop only took a few minutes b/c after installation it was almost still inline.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Option
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tony suon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/01/2002
12:59:04
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
so an aligntment to factory spec with lowering springs is still possible?
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handi2
GenIII
2/01/2002
13:15:36
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
Yes, that is what I was told. But they said using the lowered "A" arms was better than using the shorter coils. Both ways it still aligns to factory specs.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Option
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handi2
GenIII
2/01/2002
13:18:46
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
With the shorter springs you will lose some suspension travel on you front suspension. With the "A" arms it stays the same.
2002 Quad Cab SLT Plus 4.7 Every Option
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D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/01/2002
21:04:13
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
I got the DJM 3" control arms, and changed the front bump stops to low profile eurethane bump stops (I've never hit the bump stops) Sometimes I wish I could have the cornering abilities similar to my prior slammed s-10, but i sacrificed agility for comfort. take your pic.
D
01/4.7/CC3.55/DJMdrop3-6
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tony suon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/02/2002
01:44:27
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
so if i went with lowering arm and blocks, it would do the job probably be cheaper, and keep the stock ride quality and alignment? BUT
if i went with hotchkis 2 inch springs up front, and hotchkis 3 inch leafs in the back, it would do the job and give me better handling? but a stiffer ride?
i also plan on putting new shocks, i was goign to go with the edelbrock performer ias shocks
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Lemmers
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/02/2002
16:09:26
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
I think there’s some mis-information in this
thread. A “dropped” arm does nothing more
that lower the spring pocket. Suspension
travel with a 2” arm is going to be the same as
a 2” drop spring. Think about it, in order to
move the spindle up 2”, the lower a arm
needs to move up the same amount (at least
the outside edge).
Dropping the front with an a-arm or coil still
moves the outside tie rod ends up, increasing
bump steer. The only way to not “change the
geometry” would be to drop the tie rod back
down to factory spec. after lowering. As far as
I know, there isn’t a company that makes a
bumpsteer kit like that.
The only way to lower without changing the
geometry is with a drop spindle, which
unfortunately is only “vaporware” as far as
Gen3 Dakotas go.
Anyway, I’m not trying to flame anyone, just
trying to help.
Thanks,
Lemmers
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D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/04/2002
01:34:51
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
it does change the geometry...slightly, I posted
another thread thinking I had a camber
problem, but the tires wear perfect...the
wheels look slightly turned in at the top with a
3" drop a-arm. the only problem I had with the
3 inch control arms, was fitting on older
allignment racks...you have to find a shop with
new equipment, if not, it wont fit.
D
01/4.7/CC/DJMdrop3-6
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tony suon
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/04/2002
12:33:52
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
so as far as performance is concerned? which will let corner better springs or arms? im set on getting hotchkis leafs in the back, cuz I've only heard good things about hotchkis...
might as well give myself a plug too..
if anyone is looking for a 600 watt amp
ppi 2600.2 (retails for about 700) im looking to sell mines. it in my durango running my mids and tweets guaranteed not doa
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D
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
2/04/2002
23:10:17
| RE: springs vs arms
IP: Logged
Message:
springs corner better. a arms just lower the
spring mount. A stiffer/shorter than stock
spring will increase the cornering ability, but
will create a stiffer ride. A-arms will let you
corner better than a stock setup, because
lowering a car/truck by any means, lowers the
center of gravity. of course, you want to make
sure the truck sits level...even if it sits slightly
lower in the rear, the more tail drag, the better
(handling wise) the 2-3 kit available from
hotchkis will leave you with a raked stance
(lower in front than back) but it is a very good
kit if you are looking for performance. If you
want style, and comfort...go with a lower
control arm (DJM or Western Chassis) The
same with the leafs in the rear...if you want a
stiffer ride, change the leafs. If you want style/
comfort, get a shackle/hanger kit (DJM or
Western Chassis) which raises the stock leaf
spring mounts up to 5"
D
01/4.7/CC/DJMdrop3-6
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