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DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2003
01:27:25

Subject: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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Hey guys need some help here! I have the 3 inch leafs and I put them on tonight and the front is getting done tomorrow! OK well the back is as low as it can go!! Like hits the bumpstops low! And yeah the hotchkis bumps are on! I thought these were 3 inch leafs! Seems more like 5 inch leafs! Also I heard that you can take out some of the 4 shim things if it was too low! Is this normal? Are the leafs a 3 inch drop with the 4 metal shims or without??? Need help fast!!!!!!



Marks DQC
GenIII
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3/09/2003
08:09:48

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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I got a 3" drop without any of the shim plates. I ended up using 2 plates for a 3-1/2" drop in the back. What shocks are you running?

2001 Dakota Quad Cab SLT , 4.7L, Auto, 3.55, Garnet Red over Slate
Zaino, Tint, Vent Guard, Gaylords Lid, Hotchkis, Bilstein, Wet Okole Covers, Painted Grill Shell w/ Ram inserts, S/S Bumper/Valence Cover, Billet Antenna, Precision Roll Pan, APC Clear Corners, Airaid, Gibson

Phenomenal
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2003
13:35:32

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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The leafs are actually 4 inch drop with all the shims. 3 without the shims and the rest you can figure out. It's ok bud, it's normal.



DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
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3/09/2003
22:30:42

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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yeah i took em out today and gotta say much better!!! Thanks guys! Now i gotta figure out how to make the bolt big enough for the eye of the bushings on my doesch tech's. They have like a quarter inch play in em! Is that was those round metal tubes are for that come with the shocks!



HSKR
Dodge Dakota
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3/10/2003
17:49:34

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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My Hotchkis leafs bolted right on and gave the advertised drop without removing any of the plates. Also, I woudl HIGHLY recomend you dump the doesch tech shocks and get the Bilstiens that Hotchkis sells. They are well worth the money and do really make a huge difference in handling and ride quality.



xplikt
GenIII
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3/11/2003
14:02:03

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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I used all the plates. *shrug* Made my truck a hell of a lot lower in the rear. Now my truck sits almost exactly even. With 300 pounds of traction sand in the back it barely sits lower than the front. Less noticable than when I had bags in there before the drop.

-Mike
http://www.dodgetruckworld.com/xplikt/
2002 2WD RC SLT 4.7L 5spd 3.92 LSD
MBRP Single in/out | straight piped 3rd cat | turndown tip
Full Hotchkis (bars, springs, shocks) and RAS
Shaved emblems and antennae
150BM fan | removed clutch | HD Radiator

DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
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3/14/2003
19:13:06

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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Yeah i took out all the shims and now I need to put 1 back in each side! got the front lowered after the rear So it sits a lil higher in back! Yeah I am dumping the doesch techs because the bushing holes are bigger than the bolts and now they are loose and they rattle! I'm gonna put the stock ones back on till i have enough money for new ones!



Deep Dak
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2003
22:34:08

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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DrewR/T,

You can purchase thicker bolts at any local hardware store. I can email a picture of the bolts I used if it will help. The Doestechs are good shocks, why waste them? Might as well get full use out of them until you need to purchase new ones.

Eli



DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
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3/15/2003
23:51:29

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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Deep dak,


Yeah man can ya send some! I was gonna put some metal pipe spacers inside the bushing but might just get bigger bolts!/ Did you have to drill the stock holes for the old bolts?
Email is mean59rt@yahoo.com
thanks



DeepDak
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2003
18:08:52

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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DrewzR/T,

I'll email the pics when I get home later today. I didn't have to drill anything, just purchased thicker bolts. I think the reason you don't have to drill bigger holes is because the stock bolts are thicker at the ends and thinner in the middle. The makes for a loose fit on the Doestech shocks. You'll see what I mean when I send you the pics.

Eli



DrewzR/T
Dodge Dakota
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3/16/2003
18:17:41

RE: Hotchkis Leafs Dilema?????
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right on!! I found 2 of those metal inserts that come with and put those in the bottom holes! I went and bought 2 peices of pipe about the same size and Im gonna put those in the tops of the bushings and see if that works. If not Imma go your route and get bigger bolts! Still would like to see the pics if you still wanna send em!!! i think i was talking foolish to get rid of em! Alright later!



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