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Truck handling
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15393		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  CStryker [ Wed Dec 14, 2005 8:27 am ]
Post subject:  Truck handling
Ok, I'm far from the execution stage (this summer at the soonest), but I'd like to start planning some handling mods for my '82 D150. Right now it's bone stock and the rubber is getting kinda nasty. I'd like to go w/ poly bushings (I know, they squeek), sway bars, and a drop it a few inches. I'm liking Sandy's reccomendation about chebby springs on the back, not sure about the front. Also, I remember seeing some links to some Ram specific forums in the past; does any body have any reccomendations as far as that goes?
Author:  Super6 [ Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:56 am ]
Post subject: 
http://www.ramchargercentral.com

Best Dodge Truck & Ramcharger site on the net. (I'll admit i am biased, I am a Moderator there ;) )

How low to you want to go? There are not many options for the front. Cutting the coil springs is about it, and that leaves you with less suspension travel. There are a few other possibilities, such as D350 LCA's (they have a 2" deeper spring pocket), but some custom work is still required. There is also the possibility of using early Dakota drop spindles, but they only work on certain years due to ball joint, bearing, and bolt pattern variances. Again, some custom work is still required.(There is more info on this at RCC, I am hardly an expert on the subject).

The rear is much easier than springs if you are only looking to drop 2-3". Chevy drop shackles. Only required modification is drilling out the bolt holes to fit the larger bolts dodges use (I believe 5/8" from 1/2").

-Super6 aka Slanted_Mind
Author:  CStryker [ Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, i don't want it to look like it's on the ground, and I /really/ dont' wanna have to worry about bottoming out when it comes to daily driving. Without actually measuring and contemplating, I'm thinkin I'd want about 3 inches. Strange thing is, my dad has an '85 D100 with a 318 and his probably sits about 2" lower than mine. When I was at the junkyard picking up the engine I'm rebuilding, he was telling me all about the ram he built. He said cut half a coil off and I'd get exactly what I wanted. Any experience on how that would affect ride/handling?
Author:  Super6 [ Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
I've never cut my coils. But from other's posted experience at RCC, cutting 1/2 a coil will initially lower it about 1-1/2 to 2", then it will settle down to 2-1/2 to 3". That doesn't leave much room until you are resting on the bumpstops. The bumpstops can be trimmed to gain an extra inch or so of travel, but then when you bottom out, it hits hard.

My bone-stock front suspension bottoms out pretty easily (though new shocked helped greatly). The only lowering I have done to my truck is custom lengthened shackles for the rear (done before I knew about the chevy drop shackles) to lower it about 2-1/2", and undersize tires (245/60/15). My chest does not fit between the engine crossmember and the ground. :shock: And I'm only 5'9" 165 lbs.

I'll try to post a picture later if you want, I do not have access to my photos from this computer.

-S/6
Author:  Super6 [ Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:17 am ]
Post subject: 
Here is an old picture of my truck:

Image

Fortunately it has paint now, but the suspension is the same. :)
Author:  CStryker [ Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Is that's your stock height on the front? Mine has been "reworked" be the previous gentleman who used it for a farm truck, so god knows what I really have. I just know that mine sits about 2-3 inches higher than yours on all four corners but 1. (a rear spring broke and the guy replaced it w/ a heavier one... really intelligent) What size tires are you running, out of curiosity?
Author:  Super6 [ Thu Dec 15, 2005 10:11 am ]
Post subject: 
Other than drop shackles for the rear and undersize tires, the suspension is stock.

Fronts are 245/60/R15's
Rears are 295/50/R15's

All 4 corners on 15x8.5" rims.

Those front springs are nearly 20 years old now though. I'm sure they are getting tired. A still distant future project is to relocate the front shocks and replace the coil springs with air bags. 8)
Author:  Ice Titan [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 1:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Were your side mirrors stock?
Or did you get them out of a junk yard?
Mine are dinky compared to yours.
Author:  Super6 [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:15 am ]
Post subject: 
The ones in the above picture are stock. I have actually been looking for a set of the 'dinky' rectangular mirrors that use a single mount arm, instead of the large, bulky three 'leg' mount my stock mirrors have. I have been unable to find what particular years came with the small rectangular mirrors (4" x 6" ?), but believe they were used on the early 80's rams and RC's ('80 - '82', '83 ? )

-S/6
Author:  oldgoat83 [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Why would you want the smaller ones?
Wanna trade? :D
Author:  Super6 [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Why would you want the smaller ones?
Wanna trade? :D
Looks. And sure! If mine are still in the free pile at the transfer site... :(

I need to make a run there so I'll check.

You realize the three leg style requires two threaded holes in the door panel (basically a nut welded to the sheet metal) as well as one threaded hole up near the vent window....

And I no longer have the factory hardware (screws) for them. :(

-S/6
Author:  oldgoat83 [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 9:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
How hard is it to get into that area of the door cavity?
The holes for mine were striped out and redrilled by the previous owner.
They now tend to flop around.
I'm sure a similar solution could fix both of ours.
Author:  CStryker [ Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
My '82 and my dad's '85 pickups both came with the smaller mirrors. Changing over to the three point ones isn't that big of a deal; just drill the holes through the door and use stainless steel nuts and bolts. I had plenty of room behind my door panel to get everything tightened down.
Author:  Super6 [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:03 am ]
Post subject: 
Well, the mirrors were already gone. :( I am sure they went to a good home at least. I'll have to keep looking for a set of the smaller factory mirrors. :?
Author:  oldgoat83 [ Tue Jan 03, 2006 2:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh well. Maybe I'll just fix the mirrors I have so they don't come loose every time I open the door. Thanks anyway.
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