Drop Kit Questions [Archive] - Dakota R/T Club Forum

emwhiteR/T

01-19-2009, 04:10 PM

I am looking for a 2/3 drop for my truck. Since it is an R/T and is lowered by 1" in the front because of the springs, is it lower by 1" in the rear because of the leaf pack?

I was looking at getting springs for the front and shackles for the rear.

I am looking in to a Belltech kit and I can find 2" springs for the front and 4" shackles for the rear.

Will the 2" springs only make it a 1" drop in the front compared to the R/T springs?

Will the 4" shackles drop it an additional 4" because of the leaf packs 1" for a total of 5" over a standard Dakota?

Or do you have another recommendation?

TIA

BTLFED R/T

01-19-2009, 07:02 PM

All lowering kits I've put on have lowered an R/T the amount it says. I did a Ground Force 2/3 spring/block kit and it lowered my friend's truck 2/3.

emwhiteR/T

01-19-2009, 07:16 PM

All lowering kits I've put on have lowered an R/T the amount it says. I did a Ground Force 2/3 spring/block kit and it lowered my friend's truck 2/3.

So it still lowered it 2" even though it was lowered already 1" in the front. I can understand the back going the 3" as stated but the front is what really confuses me. lol

I haven't looked in to Ground Force yet. I wanna do springs for the front and shackles for the rear. I heard too many good/bad stories about the blocks in the rear.

Thanks!

98R/T360

01-19-2009, 07:21 PM

I am looking for a 2/3 drop for my truck. Since it is an R/T and is lowered by 1" in the front because of the springs, is it lower by 1" in the rear because of the leaf pack?

I was looking at getting springs for the front and shackles for the rear.

I am looking in to a Belltech kit and I can find 2" springs for the front and 4" shackles for the rear.

Will the 2" springs only make it a 1" drop in the front compared to the R/T springs?

Will the 4" shackles drop it an additional 4" because of the leaf packs 1" for a total of 5" over a standard Dakota?

Or do you have another recommendation?

TIA

I am also curious about this. I want to do a drop kit too but I want something that will ride smooth. I have been in several dropped vehicles that ride like bricks. They looked good but the ride sucked ass. Is there a good drop kit that will maintain a nice smooth ride as well?

BlackDak59

01-20-2009, 02:57 AM

When you buy a drop kit MAKE SURE to buy good shocks... stay away from the drop shocks... I made the mistake of buying drop shocks and I had to buy new ones a few months later... rode like crap

emwhiteR/T

01-20-2009, 04:22 PM

Has anyone used Belltech Leaf Springs #5983?

http://www.google.com/products?q=belltech+5983&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

It's for a 3" drop in the rear for all cabs & engine sizes.

ADakotaRTGuy

01-20-2009, 05:33 PM

I don't, but seeing how we can't get the Hotchkis any more maybe we can get a group buy for some of these? I want to do these instead of blocks also.

ADakotaRTGuy

01-20-2009, 05:46 PM

Well I called beltech and although they don't do sales they did refer me to someone else that would get the rear leafs for 104.08 per leaf but shipping is 75 bucks. So that would be close to 300 for both. If you guys are in Cali it might be worth it if you can pick them up but then you pay taxes anyone else does not.

emwhiteR/T

01-20-2009, 06:06 PM

I found them for ~$136 a piece with free shipping but $9.95 handling fee through www.stillen.com.

Maybe one of the vendors here or on Dak-dur can get one together?

emwhiteR/T

01-20-2009, 06:12 PM

I just sent a message to Air Ram to see what he says.

99strokedr/t

01-20-2009, 07:42 PM

If this goes anywhere, I may be interested as well...

Nolan

01-20-2009, 07:50 PM

Has anyone called Hotchkis about the possibly of a group buy on the TVS? With the economy the way it is, they may be amenable to making a one time run of Dakota TVS parts.

Nolan

ScojoDak

01-20-2009, 07:52 PM

As posted on another thread, try here. (http://www.andysautosport.com/dodge/1997_2004_dakota/suspension/lowering_kits/hotchkis/hotc00038227.html)

FOLLOW UP: I just called Andys Auto Sport and they no longer have the kits due to Hotchkis discontinuing that product line. DOH!

emwhiteR/T

01-20-2009, 07:56 PM

I emailed the lady in Stillen about a group buy. They are interested but they won't give any additional discounts because of the free shipping.

So the price would be $261.74 for the pair plus a $9.95 handling fee for a total of $271.69 shipped.

I guess technically there would not have to be a group buy since that is there price already.

99strokedr/t

01-21-2009, 12:31 PM

Has anyone called Hotchkis about the possibly of a group buy on the TVS? With the economy the way it is, they may be amenable to making a one time run of Dakota TVS parts.

Nolan

I emailed them a while back to see if there was a possibility of them ever bringing it back. All I got in response was that they have a few parts for the truck available, but have no plans to bring the TVS back.

I think that it may be a good idea to see if they would do a group buy.

got_torque

01-21-2009, 01:59 PM

Performancecenter.com has the belltech leafs with free shipping, and they are 119 a piece i think....

ADakotaRTGuy

01-21-2009, 02:01 PM

Is that off their website or did you call? I called and said they did not stock them anymore.

got_torque

01-21-2009, 03:37 PM

Is that off their website or did you call? I called and said they did not stock them anymore.

Oh ok. I was just remembering about a month and a half ago when I was gonna order them....off their website though.

ADakotaRTGuy

01-21-2009, 03:55 PM

That is a killer deal if you can actually order them.

99strokedr/t

01-21-2009, 04:42 PM

I went ahead and sent an email to Hotchkis asking if this is something that they would be interested in doing (the group buy). I will hopefully hear something in the next few days and will keep you updated on what I hear...fingers crossed...

ADakotaRTGuy

01-21-2009, 04:51 PM

Ah just call, its harder to say no to a voice then an email.

99strokedr/t

01-21-2009, 05:39 PM

I am at work and it's much easier to email. If anyone else would like to call, feel free...(888)735-6425.

ADakotaRTGuy

01-21-2009, 05:46 PM

Minimum order of 50 to even consider them making them. Don't EVER see that happening. First he said a 100. And even then it would have to be 50 people calling and leaving a credit card number to start a run. Then after that it would take 4-6 weeks. And they don't have shocks either.

emwhiteR/T

01-21-2009, 05:50 PM

Minimum order of 50 to even consider them making them. Don't EVER see that happening. First he said a 100. And even then it would have to be 50 people calling and leaving a credit card number to start a run. Then after that it would take 4-6 weeks. And they don't have shocks either.

I don't ever see that happening either!

Only if performancecenter.com had them for $119 with free shipping then I would be all over it!

ADakotaRTGuy

01-21-2009, 05:53 PM

try ordering them, worst thing that can happen is they cancel the order

emwhiteR/T

01-21-2009, 06:01 PM

try ordering them, worst thing that can happen is they cancel the order

The website has been down all morning for me.

Anyone else?

99strokedr/t

01-21-2009, 07:01 PM

50 is beyond rediculous...I was hoping at most maybe about 20 or so to start the processing.

I tried that website too and it is popping up an error message also. Of course my internet here at work has been screwy for quite a while anyway.