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BigDave
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2005
14:38:01
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 Subject: Droping?
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Message:
I have a 2000 Dakota V6 SLT. I wanna drop the truck lower, but I don't want to slam it. Any one got pics and info on where they got the kit? Thanks for any help.
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kmjone00
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2005
11:49:03
|  RE: Droping?
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Yeah, I have digital pictures of my truck and I'd be happy to email them to you if you could send me your address.
Mine is a 2000 Regular Cab Sport. I lowered it 2 inches all the way around with a Beltech kit. The kit uses Beltech coil springs up front and new shackles for the factory leaf springs out back. You can choose to replace either the front or back shackles only, which lowers the truck 2 inches, or you can use both front and back shackles and this option drops it 4 inches.
Instalation was relatively straightforward. However, there were a few minor problem areas. First, lowering the front 2 inches bottomed the suspension out on the factory bump stops, so I had to cut them way down -- the kit doesn't come with new, relocated bump stops. Second, getting the rivets out of the frame was a pain in the a#@. We took the bed off the truck to make sure we didn't hit it with the 5-lb sledge hammer. Third, once I had the kit on, I was really disappointed with the changes the kit made to the way my truck rode and drove. The front end bottomed out on most bumps, and just hammered as a result. Also, I got a lot of bump-steer, especially over bridges. New shocks were not recommended with only a 2-inch drop. But I talked to several people about the ride and bump-steer and they all suggested stiffer shocks. So I got a set of Beltech's Nitroactive gas shocks and I think that really improved the kits performance. The truck rides stiffer than it did from the factory, but it's much more controlled now -- no more bottoming out unless it's just a killer bump. Also, this mostly eliminated the annoying steering wheel movement going over bumps and bridges.
I think this kit is fairly good, but some other manufacturers take a slightly different approach. Some use different leaf springs and provide stiffer sway bars (which I wish I had). One particular company is Hotchkis (I think that's how you spell it). You might researh some others before making your decision.
Hope this helps. Let me know about emailing pictures.
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Rich
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2005
12:33:47
| RE: Droping?
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Message:
I'd like to see your pics. Lowering mine with a belltech most likely. quatsch94@yahoo.com
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