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HiRidnDakota
Dodge Dakota
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9/30/2002
03:35:40

Subject: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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I have a '97 cc 4x4 slt. I have the Tuff Country 5.5" lift on it right now, but I'm growing tired going through ball joints every other month so I want to lower it. Now I am new to the lowered scene so what kind of drop kit should I use since it is a 4x4. Don't really want to get rid of my 4x4 because I live in western Tennesee(lots of ice during winter). Any help would be greatly appreciated.


P.S. I would like to put on some 17"-20" wheels on the truck, so whats the lowest I could go without rubbing. Thanks



Big O
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9/30/2002
19:07:18

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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Nobody I know has a kit, i asked the same question about my 93. Best thing i can come up with is lower the front but losening your torsion bars a little and do the back by getting your leaf springs de-arched. I haven't done the dearching yet. good luck.

I don't know a lot about gen 3 daks. are your leaf springs above or below your axle?

Everyone with an 88-96 dak needs to get in on the custom
gauge group buy. We only need 13 more. www.speedhut.com

VinceSpinelli
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
12:18:08

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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"the new ram" style dakota's - post 96 and on that is - are all LEAF ON TOP OF AXLE style.

the fronts are coils too i believe, as the front leaf deal went out the door after the 1990 Power Ram's ceased their existence. (I've got an 88 power ram that's giving me a nightmare in lowering to 2wd height...)

all i can say is if you have a suspension lift - take some of it out - i assume you've got blocks in back right? well if its a 5" block, rip it out and put a 2 1/2 inch block in there (that WILL be enough to clear 17's i know for a fact easily) - hell i think you're truck comes with a 2" block in back factory anyway - so just to back to that size.

far as the front goes - undo whatever you did - you probably did either a) spindles b) a arms and coils or c) just coils... in which case yank them out and put your stock equipment back in with maybe just a spindle lift of 2" if anything at all... obviously do the front first as its the toughest part of the truck and then just level out the back to match.





steveo27
Dodge Dakota
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9/22/2004
01:02:10

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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big o.. i looked into this for a while, but i decided to lift mine...its an 87 so the suspension is the same.

beltech shackles for the chevy 1500s (bel6400) will fit and lower the rear 2.25"s. then add the front drop hangers for the 2wds to get another 2"s.

as for the front, i had mine cranked down 2.5"s. youll have to trim the bumpstops..

i had a few threads.. search lowering 4x4 or lowering 4wd.. you may find it, ill look for it too.

good luck.

-steve

http://www.sounddomain.com/memberpage/605315



Big O
GenII
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9/25/2004
04:45:38

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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I bought a 99 R/T CC instead. Still have the 4x4 too, maybe i'll lift it when i'm not playing with the R/T.

Everyone with an 88-96 dak needs to get in on the custom
gauge group buy. We only need 13 more. www.speedhut.com

cool guy
Dodge Dakota
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9/28/2004
20:52:53

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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I know buy a 2wd truck, why pay the extra insurance if your goin to drop it.



4x4
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
07:47:01

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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Hey man dont give up, it really isn't very hard. I read all these posts and got pretty much useless info from people kinda like this person:

"I know buy a 2wd truck, why pay the extra insurance if your goin to drop it."

I have a 97 4x4 cc. I have it lowered 5 in the rear and 4 in the front and it handles awesome, it looks like an rt with about a 1-2 inch drop.

You can do stuff like cranking the tosion bars, taking out a leaf, dearching the leaf etc, But i wanted to do it a more professional way. I looked everywhere and ended up finding a shop that could do it. I dropped it off for a day and when i picked it up i was very surprised at the amount off drop they were able to acomplish. They put a shackle kit in the back. You need to re-key your torsion bars. This is the same thing belltech does for their new 4x4 GMC drop kit. They then had to order custom shocks that were shorter. I can probably get all the parts needed, get them to write some instructions on the install and sell it to you if you would like. Let me know.




matt e
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
11:10:59

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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yes, please do so.
either post here or email me. if you could accquire a list of parts, prices, and where to get them.and some instructions.... continue please



matt e
Dodge Dakota
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10/14/2004
10:34:43

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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4x4 please let me know about this...
getatmatt@earthlink.net



devious53
Dodge Dakota
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10/17/2004
03:38:43

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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what shock did you use for the 4x4 drop. I lowered mine 2" in the rear with blocks and need some new shocks. I will lower the front about 1" soon.



TCalYen
Dodge Dakota
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11/04/2004
17:16:17

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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To...: 4x4

Email me the name and phone number of the shop that did the drop for you... jonnpierre(AT)hotmail.com.

Thanks,
TCalYen



hybrid
Dodge Dakota
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11/07/2004
19:39:04

RE: 4x4 Drop?!?!?
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vincespinelli,
your rite about the axles being below the leaf springs, but the front has torsion bars, no coils. the 2wd has coils. The rear has no blocks, the axle is mounted to the leaf spring.
If you plan to lower your 4wd, I would recomend clocking your torsion bar, that way you ca lower it pretty far. I've never done this on a dak but I've done it on my brothers explorer. The rear you could get a flip kit and lower blocks or de-arch the leaf springs. good luck....oh and remove the lift kit first



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