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02:42:25 - 04/26/2024
Lowered / Slammed Dakotas
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Growl99R/T
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
11:16:37
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 Subject: OK, all you experts...
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Man, going from lowering a car to trying to figure out how to lower a truck is a pain in the ass! lol.... anyways
99 Dakota R/T RC. 275/55/17 tires on it.
Looking to drop it as much as possible without it rubbing like crazy. Also, I'm not looking to get a super-bouncy POS ride, some thing smooth, at least as good as stock would be nice. Just looking for a nice, low, level stance...
I'm not sure on the difference, pros/cons of shackles, hangers, blocks......
hell, I'm used to coilovers and shocks/struts ;) not this complicated stuff!
Anyways, anyone who can help me, it's greatly appreciated :)
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ScojoDak
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
12:06:29
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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It's just a matter of how fat your wallet is!
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Growl99R/T
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
12:43:14
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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well........ it all depends on the options.
basically i'm trying to get a feel from the bottom on up, and i'll go from there...
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Matt99Dak
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
15:28:48
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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Well, if you want a good ride, stay away from blocks in the rear. Those will only jar your teeth. For the rear, either lowered leaf springs, or a shackle/hanger kit would work nicely, give you up to a 5" drop, and still keep a decent ride. In the front, a 2" lower control arm with a 2" coil spring could give you 4". Not a great ride though, and your turning radius will be crap. Be sure to get some good quality drop shocks too. They make a big difference.
But you said you wanted a ride "as good as stock". And let me tell you, that's not gonna happen. You can't lower your truck "as much as possible" and still have a nice ride. You have to sacrafice comfort somewhere.
But it's not terrible. I have 3" coils and 4" blocks (possibly the worst combination for ride quality) and i'm totally used to it. Bad over bumps and railroads, but if the roads are remotely smooth, then it's fine.
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b1llyw
GenII
10/15/2003
15:38:46
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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Matt99Dak is right. The other thing to consider is that if you lower it much at all, you're going to have to go to tires that are shorter than those 275/55-17's.
Bill White
'95 CC 4x2, SLT - under construction
'03 Ram 1500 QC 4x4 Hemi Off-Road
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Growl99R/T
Dodge Dakota
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10/15/2003
16:54:51
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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hmm...... so if i wanted a 2/4 drop, i would rub? or no? the tires are only about an inch taller.. and looking at my fender well, i've got QUITE a bit of room before it would contact the tire.... ???
thanks again!
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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10/16/2003
17:04:11
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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Growl, if you need some lowering help, i'm the one to ask. how big of drop are u gonna go with?
Front Components
1. Control arms - ride very good, but you lose your turning radius and therefore cannot turn as far, range from $250-$300
2. Coils springs - ride rather stiff but shouldn't ride bad with some nice shocks, range from $50-$150
Rear Components
1. Blocks - ride like crap, very easy to install, very cheap price, range from $20-$40
2. Hangers/shackles - don't ride bad (about average), range from $90-$120
3. Leaf Springs - ride stiff but give by FAR the best handling (will ride better with some nice shocks), range from $200-$300
Also, there's many other things u need to worry about. You have an R/T and R/T's come lowered 1" more than the stock Dakota. The back of the R/T is 1" higher than the front, so on a 2/4 drop, the ass would be lower. You need a 2/3 to be level.
Since the R/T's come lowered 1" more than the stock Dakota, they come with 1" lowering coils and lowering leaf springs. Therefore, if you add 2" coils to your R/T, you will get a 1" drop from the stock R/T height; 2" lower from the stock Dakota height. If you add 2" control arms (with the stock 1" coils), you will get a FULL 2" drop from the stock R/T height; 3" from the stock Dakota height.
That may seem confusing but makes sense. If you want a nice looking drop, no tire rubbing, and the improved-excellent handling, get the Hotchkis TVS kit. It comes with 2" coils (lower u an inch), and 3" leaf springs (lower you 2"). The kit also comes with anti sway bars that will reduce your leaning on turns by alot.
That kit is roughly around $700 without shocks. IF you dont want the sway bars (aren't needed), then just get the coils and leaf springs and it will be around $400. As for shocks, get the Bilstein shocks - those are the best. If you get this kit, you will love it. ***And trust me, if you don't have enough money for it now, save up and get it later. Dont waste your money on other kits!
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Growl99R/T
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2003
14:20:03
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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thanks man, i actually get this whole crazy truck suspension thing now! lol
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Matt
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2003
16:49:57
| RE: OK, all you experts...
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Great! what kit are you looking at getting? and when u get it, post some pics!
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