Lowered 1st Gen Dakota?

[uwilluz]

Decided I want to drop the Dakota about 3 inches . . . problem is I can't find any lowering kits for it!!!!

If anyone could help find a kit, or offer advice, I'd greatly appreciate it!!!

[Clay]

hell they make all kinds of parts for those. Drop spindles and springs, shackles and/or hangers for the rear.

http://www.sporttruckdirect.com/dakota_kits.html

just look around

[uwilluz]

lol thanks clay! I must have spent an hour looking last night, didn't find ISH!

Found these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE-DAKOTA-2-IN-DROP-SPINDLE-KIT-91-92-93-94-95-96_W0QQitemZ370079777273QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item37 0079777273&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245) today, but only a 2" drop.

I'm new to this (trucks) so what exactly are "drop spindles" and are they better than lowering springs?

What is the safest route to go, and which is best for my truck in the long run? (it hasn't even got 100k on it)

[Clay]

drop spindles are basically a whole new knuckle with the spindle moved UP. This lowers the truck but keeps suspension geometry the same. Usually a combo of spindle and lowering springs gives the best outcome, but they can be used independently.

[uwilluz]

Clay, just checked out that site, that is EXACTLY what I'm looking for! I think I'm gonna do the 2" drop in front w/ the 4" in rear. . . .

Wanna start w/ the interior of the truck first (see my other post in the lounge "Junkyard scavengers") Then get her sanded down/ready for paint, drop it and paint it then wheels last.

I've been thinking about doing a 5.9L V8 swap too, but that's gonna be a year or so down the road (don't wanna mess with it during winter)

[uwilluz]

Also, if I drop the truck, would a bigger wheel size that fits now still fit without modifying the wheel well?

For instance, I can fit 22's on there now, if I drop it, will they still fit without modification?

I don't want to go that big, more like 20's max. Just wondering. Like I said this is all new to me.

[JDAWG]

I would deff reccomend spindles on the front over some really short coils, all it does is move the wheel up and doesnt affect suspension, then you can get a spring that isnt so short and maintain ride, in the back the shackles and block combo would work good too and you can keep all your speings in the pack. As far as the wheels go drop it and see what the factory wheels/tires look like then just plus size, one size bigger rim, one size smaller tire. Just remember if you get 20's they are gonna be 2" wider with a much wider tire but daks have a BIG fenderwell compared to other minitrucks so I dont see a problem with some dubs.

[moparman76_69]

dude air ride FTW! Hopefully mine will be draggin' frame this time next year.

[Mopar318]

What year?

Heres my 96 dropped on 2" drop western chassis spindles, and beltech 2" drop hangers.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/Mopar318/drewbpics011.jpg

[uwilluz]

Looking at that, I think I'm gonna opt for the 3"/5" drop. I wanna be draggin ;)

[Mopar318]

Go ahead and order a C-notch then, and some smaller tires.

[BadAssPerformance]

That looks good, Mopar318, nice height there... I've thought about dropping mine a tad but dont want to lose too much tire clearance with the RT rimz or hurt the way it tows.

[Clay]

sounds like joel wants a body drop w/ bags!

[uwilluz]

I don't wanna be scraping the ground, or the huge speed bumps around here. Just want a "little" drop. . . 3" is PLENTY for me!

I'll take plenty of pics to document my progression :)

[Captain Chaos]

You have to watch the wheels on the front with lowering spindles, if the lower control arms sit inside the wheels, they may rub on something like a 15" wheel. May not, just a heads up.

[uwilluz]

I'll keep that in mind cause I'm not planning on upgrading the wheels until AFTER I get the interior FINISHED (swap & stereo), and the truck painted (with hard tonneau) and new front grill and side mirrors. I've found some good stuff already!

[TurbododgePirate]

lol thanks clay! I must have spent an hour looking last night, didn't find ISH!

Found these (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DODGE-DAKOTA-2-IN-DROP-SPINDLE-KIT-91-92-93-94-95-96_W0QQitemZ370079777273QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item37 0079777273&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A1%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245) today, but only a 2" drop.

I'm new to this (trucks) so what exactly are "drop spindles" and are they better than lowering springs?

What is the safest route to go, and which is best for my truck in the long run? (it hasn't even got 100k on it)

Those spindles and the company that produces them are junk. Pay the extra money and buy Belltech spindles. The machine work on those ebay ones is less than good. Several RAM guys have bought them and tried to return them, only to be charged outrageous restocking fees.

[GLHNSLHT2]

and I thought that I might of found somebody that would take these front lowering springs for a DAk off my hands finally when I read that title. Oh well.

[Turbo3Iroc]

Any more than a 2" drop up front and you will have scraping issues at the top of the wheel well.

I will second buying the Belltech spindles. 2/4 is a nice drop on these and can be worked to handle surprisingly well.

Interested in some billet 17s?

[Captain Chaos]

Those spindles and the company that produces them are junk. Pay the extra money and buy Belltech spindles. The machine work on those ebay ones is less than good. Several RAM guys have bought them and tried to return them, only to be charged outrageous restocking fees.

My buddy bought a set for his 01 Silverado 1500. The ball joints it came with were junk in 5k miles, and based on their directions of swapping upper contril arms and relocating the brake hose, he mysteriously would lose pedal pressure if turned full ock like backing out of a parking space and then trying to stop. Back to stock never again. Pay the extra now.:thumb:

[Mopar318]

Get the western chassis drop spindles. I don't think beltech made drop spindles for this body style, if they did they are hard to find.

[Mopar318]

You have to watch the wheels on the front with lowering spindles, if the lower control arms sit inside the wheels, they may rub on something like a 15" wheel. May not, just a heads up.

This is true. The upper and the lower rubbed on mine, but I am running the 15X8 rims which are pretty wide. They rubbed even before the drop hangers, so I ground about 1/4 inch off the lip of the control arm. They are pretty beefy, and tons of people have done this so its safe to say it does not effect the strength.

[uwilluz]

Mopar318, I'll be getting ahold of you when I am ready to do the drop, for sure!

[Mopar318]

Sounds good. Go ahead and get all new ball joints, while you are at it. Your going to need to get it aligned .

[Turbo3Iroc]

Get the western chassis drop spindles. I don't think beltech made drop spindles for this body style, if they did they are hard to find.

I bought mine about 10 years ago, so they might have discontinued them. Western Chassis is a reputable company also. I don't know if AIM is still around but stay away from them if they are. They are prob behind those ebay spindles.

[JDAWG]

I bought mine about 10 years ago, so they might have discontinued them. Western Chassis is a reputable company also. I don't know if AIM is still around but stay away from them if they are. They are prob behind those ebay spindles.

DONT NOT BUY ---- FROM GAYASS AIM!

[Captain Chaos]

Get the western chassis drop spindles. I don't think beltech made drop spindles for this body style, if they did they are hard to find.

Did I buy my rear drop hangers from you off of Devilbrad? It might have been someone else. I need a beer, its going to be a long night.

[Mopar318]

Did I buy my rear drop hangers from you off of Devilbrad? It might have been someone else. I need a beer, its going to be a long night.

Yeah you did.You bought the western chassis hangers I think. I was going to do a 4 inch rear drop, but I liked how it sat with just the front drop hangers. So I go rid of the rear, which would go another 2" down.

[uwilluz]

thanks for the suggestion on the daytona seats!! I REALLY wanted to do bucket seats, as I'm 6'1" and the bench ruled out putting any subs behind the seat. . . now i can put a small 10 behind the passenger seat!

I swapped the seat rails onto the Daytona seats I scored today, they bolted right in, however, the "secondary" rails (right hand side of drivers seat, left hand side of passenger seat) don't have anywhere to bolt to right now. I need to find someone to weld me in something to bolt them to, as of right now they sit about 1 1/2" lopsided, but are secured by three bolts.

Any other suggestions you want to make, I'm all ears!