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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
12:35:54
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 Subject: lowering a V6 1 inch
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OK, I know I should be on the lowering board (and I am with this same question) but I am not getting any answers (yet).
The question is "If I want to lower the front of the truck 1 inch (I already lowered the back 2 inches and now its just a tad nose high) what is the best (read cheapest) route to take?"
I have thought about cutting the coils, but dont want to do that since "everybody" says not to, but all the "kits" out there only start at 2 inch drops. I heard from one ancient post that the S-10 front coil spring can be used (they have a 1 inch drop kit available). Price is a big factor, so none of these "Hotchkis mega dollar bolt on in a weekend cause I saw it on Trucks!" will do.
I am stymied, and starting to think about cutting again - please give me a better alternative!
thanks
for transcripts of this dialog, please print it out
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
13:27:43
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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"I have thought about cutting the coils, but dont want to do that since "everybody" says not to.."
A good many of them simply parrot what they have heard. People have been doing this for as long as I can remember, and believe me, that's a long time. Your springs have a progressive rate and you change the quality designed into them. How much change obviously depends on how much you cut off.
I can't imagine one inch being detrimental, removing 1/2 inch from each end. Maybe this link will be of some help in making your decision.
http://www.stockcarproducts.com/spgtech.htm
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tom
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
13:35:03
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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you will have to cut more than 1" off to drop it one inch. i would start at half a coil. street rodders have been using this method for years. be sure to have the front aligned if you cut the coils.
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Jeff
GenIII
9/23/2004
14:44:45
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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the cheapest route would probably be to get some of those cheapo lowering spring clamps at the auto parts stores. clamps together the coils to lower it. no clue if they are any good, especially for the low prices (under $30 i think)
just my $0.005 (half a cent)
:)
Jeff
'99 3.9 clubcab
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2004
17:08:57
|  RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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You guys are great! Not only have I got some decent responses, they sound plausable too. The spring clamp idea I looked at last week, and might go back to it (it was $16 CDN at the local Canadian Tire outlet). My concern was what the ride quality would be (and how robust those things are). Cutting might just be the answer though. I will look at that link to see what their suggestons are.
thanks again
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TERRY
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
20:10:55
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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DO NOT CUT OFF AN INCH IN HIEGHT TO GET AN INCH DROP
an inch at the spring will be 4" at the tire.
The control arm has a pivot point at one end. the tire is at least 7" from the spring if you lower the spring point 1" the tire will be much lower because it is farther from the pivot point.
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Jay Wingate
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2004
23:35:52
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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The cheapest route would be to raise the back.
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tom
Dodge Dakota
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9/25/2004
10:04:31
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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if you cut one inch off, you are not taking one inch off the total heighth of the spring. if you were to measure and take one inch in total heighth it is different.
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TERRY
Dodge Dakota
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9/25/2004
13:41:44
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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Yes, your right tom, I didn't mean to correct you, just clairfy. It's easy to misunderstand if a person is new to this.
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tom
Dodge Dakota
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9/25/2004
22:48:38
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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thanks terry
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army ssg
Dodge Dakota
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9/26/2004
20:03:15
|  RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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hey greyDAK,
sporttruckdirect.com sells a 1" drop coil for our v6 dakota's. it is made by western chasis. i did the exact same thing, lowered the rear and the front was about 1/2" higher. i order the 1' drop coil and now my truck sits prefectly leveled. hope that helps
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/27/2004
20:19:53
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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cool. surfing over there right now....
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duh
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
19:20:02
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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you could always heat it with an acyetylene touch, move it 1 inch then cool it in OIL not water, water will make it brittle. I would not do this, but you might.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
19:56:51
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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after much thought, and staring at the truck from a number of angles; with input from neighbours and friends, I have decided that the height of the front is not unacceptable. The problem stems from the undersized tires that I installed there last year (they were cheap and I needed tires). The stock tire is 215/70R15 but I have 235/60R15's which are about 1 inch too short. Instead of chopping or ordering new springs, I am going to put some new tires on there first and then see what it looks like.
I appreciate all the good ideas and suggestions offered. It is apparent that there is a tremendous amout of talent on this board, I am so glad I found it.
thanks everyone!
John
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
21:54:38
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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"The stock tire is 215/70R15 but I have 235/60R15's which are about 1 inch too short."
Actually, they are only .75 inches shorter making your ride a mere .375 lower.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
22:32:34
|  RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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that is true, but when the weight of the vehicle is on the tire, with the spread, it does give it a much smaller look (I said an inch which is a good estimate). Of cours .75 of an inch is 3/4 of an inch which is still a very noticeable difference. On the back I have 255/60R15's on an 8 inch rim. Although they are not exactly the same overall height as stock, they are very close, but look better since they are much wider. With the 2 inch drop I gave it, it has leveled the truck out quite nicely. The front wheel is what looks odd in that huge square wheel well. I can understand why someone would install 20 inch rims to fill it up (tres expensive). So, with a proper stock wheel on the front and the much wider but still close to ride height wheel at the back, it should be darned good.
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
23:05:59
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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"Of cours .75 of an inch is 3/4 of an inch which is still a very noticeable difference."
I thought that you were talking about the change in ride and not the appearance of the tires. It still only makes a difference of half the diameter deviation when comparing ride height or the distance between the fender well and the tire. Tire pressure will make a difference in ride height, but very little difference in clearance. That's assuming reasonable pressure.
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
23:24:50
|  RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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I think we are talkin the same thing here. Bottom line, size of tire (to fill the well up) is actually the thing that I am after. Once the proper size tire is installed (to give the extra height to match the back wheels) I can then see if the front really needs to be dropped. If it looks like its supposed to, I will leave it alone. If it still looks awkward, then I will look at cutting/replacing the front springs. I will not cut them with a torch though - no sense in taunting the gods on this. Its such a minor thing, I shouldnt have even posted it.
Good for a nice discussion though
here is a shot of the truck in question prior to the rear 2" drop. You can see the front wheels just dont look right (too small?)
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greyDAK
Dodge Dakota
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9/29/2004
23:25:42
|  RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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I am having a real problem with posting images recently.
this is my truck
http://www.freewebs.com/jguertin/dak-640x480.JPG
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MOOCOW
Dodge Dakota
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9/30/2004
12:55:18
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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put in a v-8 the extra weight will straighten the truck out enough
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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9/30/2004
13:10:24
| RE: lowering a V6 1 inch
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"Bottom line, size of tire (to fill the well up) is actually the thing that I am after."
This is the only way to fill up the wheel wells on a dakota.
www.squarewheels.com
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