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22:01:32 - 04/26/2024
Lowered / Slammed Dakotas
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socal_dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2003
17:19:43
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 Subject: lowering a '92 Club Cab w/V8
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hi. i've been getting all sorts of answers so am asking this list too.
whats the best (not cheapest, the best i said ) to lower a '92 with club cab and V8. I'm sticking with 28" dia. tires on 15 wheels. I currently have a 4" clearance* in front and 6" in the rear. I want to reduce it to a 2" clearance front and back. So i need a 2" drop in front, and 4" drop in rear.
currently everything about the chassis is stock.
whats bothering me is techs at the 'well-known suspension parts makers' say that drivetrain vibrations are a problem with my model truck.
i'm think on western chassis parts, but belltech is also under consideration.
does anyone know what i should do to make a 2/4 drop in this model truck?
thanks,
-Dan *clearance here means top of tire to fender
'92 Dak CC, 318, 4x2, 46RH, 3.90 rear, 235/75R15, PS, PW, PB, Cruise, AC, & 110,000mi
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Loku
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
21:50:43
|  RE: lowering a '92 Club Cab w/V8
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Message:
Hmmm... "best way" would depend on what you want out of your drop. A 2-4 drop is pretty easy and there are many ways to accomplish it. I went through just about every lowering combo on my '95 so I can tell you a little about some different types.
My Dak is a 95' 2WD CC 3.9LV6 with 3.90 rear and all the extras. I've never had any drivetrain vibration problems related to the lowering of the vehicle. I'll leave it up to you to decide if what I'm saying is relative to your truck... although I'm pretty sure it is.
For the front, as long as you don't shave your bump stops you shouldn't have to worry about clearance from a stock tire diameter; however, I think your tires are just slightly larger than stock so good luck there. If you want to maintain that factory ride I guess I would have to recommend the drop spindles. They help you retain your suspension geometery, ride quality, and your suspension travel. However, if in the future you want to really slam the front end (i.e. drop 5" or more) I would recommend a lowering lower control arm because the drop spindles when comboed with shorter springs put your front frame/undercarriage awfully close to the pavement.
Now, if you go with lowering springs (Eibach of course!) that will get you the 2" drop you're looking for. This is the most reliable way to lower the front end because you are only replacing a steel spring that has no cast or welded parts to possibly break, even though I rarely hear of that happening to aftermarket drop spindles and control arms. I would say the only compromise in going with the lowering spring is the stiffer ride, that is, if you don't really want the stiffer ride. I personally liked the stiffer ride drop springs provided becuase my cornering felt a little firmer.
For the 4" you want to go in the rear, I would recommend the shackle mount/hanger replacement combo. It's a good way to keep the ride quality the same (if you like what you currently have) and you shouldn't have any pinion angle problems. The other choice would be lowering spings. These will actually improve your ride (i.e. less bumpy) but you will sacrifice at least 25% of your payload. In other words instead of the back dropping 2" or whatever with 500lbs of weight, it will drop much more.
What I liked best for a rear drop was the shackle mount/hanger combo, then removing the "helper" springs to soften it just a hair.
Also for the rear, with a 4" drop you are most likely going to want to have a "C" section put in. I got away with just shaving the bump stops for a while, but then i would still bottom out whenever I carried a load. The "C" section will give you that extra 2-3" of axle travel you'll want, without compromising your frame integrity (when properly installed).
Whatever you end up doing, be sure to finish the job with good quality shocks. Don't go cheap here. I have had good luck with Belltech. I also recommend Doetsch Tech as a better quality shock for about the same price ($40 ea.)
Good luck!
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socal_dan
Dodge Dakota
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5/06/2003
23:17:47
|  RE: lowering a '92 Club Cab w/V8
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Message:
thanks Loko. great info.
i am now seriously considering 2" shackle mnt & adj. 2, 2.5, 3" hanger from western chassis for rear. found a set at sporttruckdirect.com for $159.
comes with Grade 8 hardware.
now i need to find the right springs for front. any ideas? eibach right. but where from?
-dan in socal
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