[FSTDANGO3]

Should take you about half an hour to do!
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[WarrensD]

Re: Man,

I wish I could find a set of the 20" R/T wheels. Such a beautiful wheel for the D, and they're nowhere to be found!
I'm thinking about lowering approx 2", how much will I jeopardize the ride quality? Will the steering get tight or sloppy?
Next, is there anyone that would assist in lowering my D? I'll gladly compensate, I just would feel more secure having someone experienced with this process on a D working on my baby.
Thanks,
Dave

Dave, it's really worth your time to search for (ALL) of my lowering threads. I either had very bad luck, or I'm more fussy about functionality and ride quality than most people are. I threw several thousand into the project, over a year, and wound up only slightly lowered.

Read those threads!

 

[Neil]

Search under my name also. I've posted many times here and Dodgetalk.com It's easy as can be. Figure out rear axle size and get the correct size blocks, install blocks is fairly easy, cut front bump stops, loosen torsion bar bolts. Done. Note, taller blocks can put more leverage (torque) on the leaf spring pack. Ram lowering shackles (02+) will lower the rear about 3/4". I've had 1" blocks for 6+ years. I just added the shackles. It costs more, the price of the blocks and shackles but it may help the springs.

Steve,

I really don't think it's correct to keep saying AWD and lowering causes vibrations. Warren is the only one that I have seen that had vibration problems. There have been a few other posts indicating ride issues but I don't recall vibrations and anything specific to AWD. Rick's has been fine and there are a number of other people who have lowered their 4x4/AWD Durangos on various forums without issue.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Some of the AWD D's experience some driveline vibration with lowering more than 1"
Steve
DOC Pres

NEIL NOTICE THE WORD SOME IN MY ABOVE STATEMENT!
I didn't say all. Also as Warren stated some may not be as picky as others.
:cheesy:
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[WarrensD]

Search under my name also. I've posted many times here and Dodgetalk.com It's easy as can be. Figure out rear axle size and get the correct size blocks, install blocks is fairly easy, cut front bump stops, loosen torsion bar bolts. Done. Note, taller blocks can put more leverage (torque) on the leaf spring pack. Ram lowering shackles (02+) will lower the rear about 3/4". I've had 1" blocks for 6+ years. I just added the shackles. It costs more, the price of the blocks and shackles but it may help the springs.

Steve,

I really don't think it's correct to keep saying AWD and lowering causes vibrations. Warren is the only one that I have seen that had vibration problems. There have been a few other posts indicating ride issues but I don't recall vibrations and anything specific to AWD. Rick's has been fine and there are a number of other people who have lowered their 4x4/AWD Durangos on various forums without issue.

Dave, Neil is absolutely correct. Read as many "lowering" threads as you can find. My limited (and incomplete) research on the subject yields the following (very loose) statistics:

Those who lower ONE inch - 100% trouble-free. Some don't even bother with an alignment. No reports of ride quality issues, clearance issues, shock bottoming issues, or vibration issues.

Those who lower TWO inches - 80-90% trouble-free. Alignment mandatory. Angled shims might be necessary, if pinion-angle vibrations appear. Bilstein or Toxic shocks seem to work best (w/o bottoming.) A MINORITY of cases report an unacceptably soft ride, pinion-angle vibrations (subtle, but annoying), shock bottoming, excessive suspension/driveline component wear, premature hair loss, and rectal hemorrhaging.

Those who lower THREE + inches - Total Crap Shoot. Incredibly, about HALF manage to make it work & love the finished product. Subjectively, I wonder if they "lower the bar" (pun intended) on their expectations for utility and functionality. With a two inch drop, a gallon of milk in the back would cause bone jarring shock bottoming in my application. HOWEVER, it looked SO good, I lived with all of my issues for nearly a year.

Hope all of this rambling helps?

 

[Neil]

Some of the AWD D's experience some driveline vibration with lowering more than 1"
Steve
DOC Pres

NEIL NOTICE THE WORD SOME IN MY ABOVE STATEMENT!
I didn't say all. Also as Warren stated some may not be as picky as others.
:cheesy:
Steve
DOC Pres

But you have posted that statement a number of times and other that Warren, there's noting to tie vibrations and any amount of lowering to AWD.

 

[FSTDANGO3]

Just posting it as a warning some get a bit out of hand and then cry the blues about ride and vibrations.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

[WarrensD]

Some of the AWD D's experience some driveline vibration with lowering more than 1"
Steve
DOC Pres

NEIL NOTICE THE WORD SOME IN MY ABOVE STATEMENT!
I didn't say all. Also as Warren stated some may not be as picky as others.
:cheesy:
Steve
DOC Pres

But you have posted that statement a number of times and other that Warren, there's noting to tie vibrations and any amount of lowering to AWD.

For the record, I've found 5-6 posts (I think most were on D-D) discussing pinion angle vibration issues. I'm sure as heck not smart enough to discover it for myself AND make up a name for it! "Charlie" of Charlie's Drop Shop says it's fairly common on AWD, depending on make/model/amount of drop. I doubt if most people with drops can even recognize it. Symtoms are a slight vibration at 45-50 MPH under moderate acceleration (not light - not WOT.) Still pretty rare on the D's?

 

[FSTDANGO3]

You Must be kidding Warren I can't actually have been right!
It has to do with what style driveshaft they have and those angles.

Steve
DOC Pres

 

[linelock]

I'm down 2" in the back and ~1 3/4"(loosen 8 cranks and tighten 1) in the front. I used 2" blocks in the back and do notice a bit of wheel hop under hard acceleration from a stop. I don't know if this is from axle wrap or what. Maybe switching to the 1"blocks and the Ram lowering shackles is a better solution for the back. I have no driveline vibration but I have a part-time transfercase and pretty much only use 4wd on snow covered roads so take that for what it's worth.

The ride is softer than stock in the front but the BellTech Street Performance shocks I'm using now are doing a good job of controlling the front end. Finding shocks for the front has been my biggest issue with the drop. Making some custom upper shock hangers so you could use stock length shocks would probably be the best solution but that's beyond my abilities. I ended up pressing the lower bushings out of a set of 2wd drop shocks and using some Energy Suspension bushings so I could mount them to the 4wd lower control arm. I'm happy with the ride and handling now but I do plan on adding the Hotchkis sway bar kit.

 

[DurangoDude]

Well I don't plan on doing anything that drastic for sure. But it's good to see that you've made going that low work for you. Oh yeah, the hotchkis sways are a must.