Lowering Kits for 1st Gens?
 

I've been looking around on the 'net and the kits offered seem to go back only to '94. Anybody have a source for our trucks? Nothing too radical.

The factory front springs have already undergone the Cummins lowering process. I have been toying with the idea of extending the rear shackles a bit to level mine out. 1 1/2-2" maybe. Keep in mind the rear pinion angle. Anyone have a good rule of thumb on max pinion angle change or what would I call it?

I need to drop the rear of my truck about 4". I think rockjeep used "chevy" drop shackles for the rear but I don't remember the exact application.

4" huh. My BHNM would drag if I went that low... [laugh]

How about shocks on a lowered truck, what do you do about them now that I'm thinking about it?

Dodge didn't make trucks before '94. [dummy] [laugh]

Nobody makes a kit that I'm aware of. I think your best easy option is cut coils up front and drop shackles out back. For a radical drop in the back you can do a spring-under conversion.

I found a guy who makes a kit for 1/2 tonners. I sent him an email to see if his kit will hold up the front end of 3/4 ton CTD.

I've lowered mine 4" and it rides great. Haven't bottomed yet! Tire pitch is still good also. I like the way it rides better and looks much better. Some pics in my gallery. Nothing crazy, just a little different to catch your attention.

So how did you lower the front end?

I cut the front springs at the bottom, ground the cut end to sit in the lower arm's spring mount w/ out digging in. I've checked it and it looks no different. No shiny metal from rubbing. I made longer shackles for the rear and will possibly do a spring under , but feel it will hurt towing so I've held off. I love it!

if it had leafs up front (4x4) i would say weld perches on the bottom of the diff and under sling your springs.... if you just cut your coils the first time your truck goes on a certain hoist or you jack up from the frame you will wish you had not cut em....

[QUOTE=wannadiesel;2059491]Dodge didn't make trucks before '94. [dummy] [laugh][QUOTE]

I don't think they were talking about 1894. How old are you, anyway?[laugh]

if you just cut your coils the first time your truck goes on a certain hoist or you jack up from the frame you will wish you had not cut em....

Not true, Ive had this like this for a while and have lifted the front many, many times for various reasons to full droop. I've never been big on cutting springs, but I had an extra set and it worked much better than expected. It actually rides better than full coils. Has much less roll effect.

I just hauled a 77 chevy, bed of dodge full of scrap steel, and it hauled fine. Never bottoms. I've only bottomed once and it was after a big rain and asphalt fell in and made a crazy big hole. I hit it. Was loud, but no damage. It can be done and wont tear anything up or become a hassle to deal with. No diff. than stock, just looks and rides better :).

Do you have any photos of the shackles you made?

I can take some, but their nothing special. 1/4" 1"x1" angle and 1/4" flat stock. I put strips of flat stock on the sides and back to make it more rigid since their longer than stock. It'll be a min. before I get around to it. I just moved and I'm having to unpack along w/ fix my truck. The IP went out while moving :) If it aint one thing its another.