RE: Choices - Just shocks, or whole hog?

From: Ned Buckmaster (Ned@Buckmaster.com)
Date: Thu Jun 10 2004 - 06:02:07 EDT


I did the Hotchkis sway bars and shocks when I first bought my truck and ran
it like that for years. Early this year I installed the springs (and
differently valved Bilstiens). The sway bars helped considerably over stock,
but don't come close to the entire combination. However, it is much stiffer
than the stock springs were. The Hotchkis springs come with 4 spacers on
each side to adjust the ride height. Another plus is that the Hotchkis
springs are much, much quieter than the stock springs were; I really had no
idea how noisy the stocks were until I switched them.

Another thing that surprised me; It becomes very difficult to get the spare
tire out with dual rear exhaust, tow hitch, and a lowered truck!

An air compressor and a good, big floor jack will help a lot. I did both
front and rear in my garage. I also replaced both upper ball joints at the
same time - I noticed one was incredibly loose when I took the front end
apart.

I haven't scraped anything yet, but the front license plate holder clears
the sidewalk at Walgreens by about 1/4 inch. It IS much easier to wash
now...

My wife didn't like the way it swayed in corners before; she likes the
handling much better now but thinks it rides pretty hard over bumps. We take
her lowered Integra on long trips now as before - besides, it gets twice the
mileage.

Ned Buckmaster
2K 4.7L Dakota Sport



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