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View Full Version : hotchkis and caltracs



fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 04:51 AM
doe anyone run both of them together? is it even possible?

BTLFED R/T
03-27-2008, 04:59 AM
doe anyone run both of them together? is it even possible?

Yes, many have and do. :biggthumpup: Just gotta watch those speed bumps.

GoFastGray
03-27-2008, 05:32 AM
To make a short story long....

My first dak (V6 slt) I lowered it with bilstein/djm's kit and toxic shocks...threw on some 22's and it was like riding a forklift.

Got R/T.... felt like a caddy!!! It was a great ride. I then added a hotchkis drop and the ride got stiff. Couple months later I got bilstein shocks for it and it was pretty damn close to the feel of the stock ride. And shortly after getting the Bilsteins, I got caltracs.
It isn't a horrible ride, but is just "bouncy". The front feels fine, but the rear is stiff. Around corners it slips every now and then (not bad, but expected).
After I put the caltracs on I had to try them out behind the dealership. I was pretty damn impressed how well they hooked on my Kuhmo's w/17's. Still spun a little, but far better than stock.

You will need longer U-bolts! I got mine from http://www.stengelbros.com/U-bolts.htm
Was about $26 + shipping for two sets (4 u-bolts)
I can't remember the size of the top of my head. PM me and i'll check for ya if you wish.
Oh, and paint the U-bolts before putting them on. Mine rusted pretty quick :jester:

fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 06:03 AM
is your truck lowered at all? or do you just need the longer u bolts for the caltracs. i had some made for lowering blocks, but idont think im gonnaput them on. i think im just gonna get some hotchkis lowering springs too when i order the sway bar kit

fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 06:05 AM
by the way, where did you get your caltracs? i heard moesperformance, and socal has them, and that you can order them directly from calvert, bu who else has em?

GoFastGray
03-27-2008, 06:13 AM
is your truck lowered at all? or do you just need the longer u bolts for the caltracs. i had some made for lowering blocks, but idont think im gonnaput them on. i think im just gonna get some hotchkis lowering springs too when i order the sway bar kit.

By the way, where did you get your caltracs? i heard moesperformance, and socal has them, and that you can order them directly from calvert, bu who else has em?

My truck is lowered with the hotchkis suspension kit. Longer U bolts are needed (and not provided) with the caltracs (i think when running caltracs + hotchkis leafs) There are also two versions of the traction bars. One for lowered daks, and one for stock height. I think i still have an inch of thread under the nuts. Probably not enough with 1" blocks added to my package.
I got mine off ebay. Guy sold his truck and parts he got for it. Got them NEW for a steal :woot:
I believe chad sells them?? But the other three sell them as well.

fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 06:18 AM
so you just have the hotchkis leafs then. im gonna go with those, a 1 inch block and the caltracs. i have the u bolts already, kind of long, but i can trim em if i need to. im just gonna throw some djm 2 lowering coils on the front.BTW good place to get the bilstein shocks?

GoFastGray
03-27-2008, 06:24 AM
so you just have the hotchkis leafs then. im gonna go with those, a 1 inch block and the caltracs. i have the u bolts already, kind of long, but i can trim em if i need to. im just gonna throw some djm 2 lowering coils on the front. BTW good place to get the bilstein shocks?

Yea, just hotchkis set-up, + Bilstiens.

Oh...got them NEW on ebay as well :laughing: I think those two items and my clear corners are the only EBAY items on my truck.

I hope your gonna run smaller tires up front with a 2" drop :goodluck:

fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 06:30 AM
im runnin 255/60/17s but im waitin to see whats the deal with the group buy on the 20" r/ts so ii probably run 255/40/20 or 255/35/20 on the front. if i cant get the 20s then im gonna run 255/50/17s, unless my tires i have now fit with little or no rubbing

Hugh Jassole
03-27-2008, 12:30 PM
doe anyone run both of them together? is it even possible?

I'm in the middle of an install now. You just need to buy the shorter front mounts, and you're good to go.

Hugh Jassole
03-27-2008, 12:32 PM
To make a short story long....

My first dak (V6 slt) I lowered it with bilstein/djm's kit and toxic shocks...threw on some 22's and it was like riding a forklift.

Got R/T.... felt like a caddy!!! It was a great ride. I then added a hotchkis drop and the ride got stiff. Couple months later I got bilstein shocks for it and it was pretty damn close to the feel of the stock ride. And shortly after getting the Bilsteins, I got caltracs.
It isn't a horrible ride, but is just "bouncy". The front feels fine, but the rear is stiff. Around corners it slips every now and then (not bad, but expected).
After I put the caltracs on I had to try them out behind the dealership. I was pretty damn impressed how well they hooked on my Kuhmo's w/17's. Still spun a little, but far better than stock.

You will need longer U-bolts! I got mine from http://www.stengelbros.com/U-bolts.htm
Was about $26 + shipping for two sets (4 u-bolts)
I can't remember the size of the top of my head. PM me and i'll check for ya if you wish.
Oh, and paint the U-bolts before putting them on. Mine rusted pretty quick :jester:
Funny, my stock u-bolts are plenty long enough. Go figure.

fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 02:43 PM
I'm in the middle of an install now. You just need to buy the shorter front mounts, and you're good to go.

shorter front mounts for the caltracs?

mtlcafan79
03-27-2008, 03:00 PM
That's the only difference. The regular ones have two holes, the lowered ones only have one. The bracket is shorter so you don't scrape them.

fastdodgert
03-27-2008, 03:10 PM
so i would just get the caltracs for lowered trucks

99R/TMan
03-27-2008, 03:31 PM
with caltracs and drop kit. watch out those bumps hit hard!!!!!!!!!!:goodluck:

Hugh Jassole
03-27-2008, 03:58 PM
so i would just get the caltracs for lowered trucks

yes, and make sure to tell yem that you have an R/T. The u-bolt hole spacing is wider on the R/T specific ones

GoFastGray
03-27-2008, 06:56 PM
Funny, my stock u-bolts are plenty long enough. Go figure.

mine were long enought to get some of the nut threaded. I wanted enough thread under the nut for a piece of mind. :biggthumpup:

SinCity R/T
03-27-2008, 07:55 PM
My Black 03 CC R/T had (still does - I just don't own it anymore) a Hotchkis suspension, Caltracs for lowered vehicles, and 27" rear tires (255/35-20). I never scraped the suspension at all, and did not have any significant issues with the ride of the vehicle. Yes it'll be bumpy, but that's a given with Hotchkis & low-profile tires.

Hugh Jassole
03-27-2008, 07:56 PM
mine were long enought to get some of the nut threaded. I wanted enough thread under the nut for a piece of mind. :biggthumpup:

I understand what you meant. I could thread 3 nuts onto my u-bolts, that's how much longer they are.

GoFastGray
03-27-2008, 08:36 PM
I understand what you meant. I could thread 3 nuts onto my u-bolts, that's how much longer they are.

they are about an inch longer. maybe two nuts :jester: but better than half a nut imo.

Oh...and only time i scraped my caltracs was getting onto a 16' carson trailer with 4' ramps.
New trailer (18') and building 5' ramps :woot:

fastdodgert
03-28-2008, 01:56 AM
ok. thanks for the help guys

NH_TAZ
03-28-2008, 08:27 AM
doe anyone run both of them together? is it even possible?

I do on my truck but like Jason said, you have to watch out for speed bumps. I am running the same set up as most, Hotchkis w/ Bilsteins and Caltracs!

fastdodgert
04-04-2008, 05:27 AM
hey NH taz, what front bumper is that on your truck

RyanH360
04-04-2008, 06:00 AM
hey NH taz, what front bumper is that on your truck

It's the ever so popular street scene (gen 2 I think) bumper cover. They are very nice and I think his truck looks amazing.

dakota-boy
04-04-2008, 08:43 PM
anyone have pics of the caltracs installed on your truck with hotchkis?

rattler360
04-05-2008, 01:56 AM
so you need longer u bolts to install the catracs with the hotchkis a qa-1 shocks

Hugh Jassole
04-07-2008, 12:23 PM
anyone have pics of the caltracs installed on your truck with hotchkis?

give me a week or so, and i will

NH_TAZ
04-08-2008, 05:29 AM
It is the street scene front bumper.

NH_TAZ
04-08-2008, 05:30 AM
It's the ever so popular street scene (gen 2 I think) bumper cover. They are very nice and I think his truck looks amazing.

You are right and thanks for the compliment.

fastdodgert
04-08-2008, 06:33 AM
yeah that bumper looks soo awesome.... thats gonna have to be the one i go with... and what body kit is that?

NH_TAZ
04-11-2008, 05:40 AM
yeah that bumper looks soo awesome.... thats gonna have to be the one i go with... and what body kit is that?

The body kit is actually side skirts that I bought from GS motorsports way back when. You can get them from Todd on here, I think. They are the perfect addition to the truck.