ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Well I broke down and ordered a set of 91-96 Dakota spindles for my 73 club cab.I have the passenger side done with the exception of the outer tie rod which should be done tomarrow.I was wondering if someone could measure ride hieght on thier truck for me.Id like to know exactly how much this lowered my truck.I also installed a set of Chisholm arms.I took a few pics of install if anyone is intersted.I plan on takeing more pics of the other side now that im out of the research and development stage.Also when you measure ride hieght measure from center of wheel to fender lip that way tire size doesnt become a factor.Mine measures 13.5 inches from center cap to fender lip.Thanks in advance. 
Edited by ramblebee (Sun Mar 02 2008 07:52 PM)
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Cheeto
super gas
Reged: Jan 21 2003
Loc: Eastern Washington
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Quote:
... now that im out of the research and development stage....
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Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
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85_Ram_4speed
super street
Reged: Jun 12 2003
Loc: Truckville, the capital of NY
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Dont worry Cheeto, im sure he didnt know.
Yes, please post up the pics you have, there are alot of us that are planning on doing the same thing, but we wanted to see it done first.
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I build vehicles that others won't.........
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Furyusvip
mopar
Reged: Feb 22 2004
Loc: Big Chicago
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I keep hearing about these Chislohm arms, how do I contact them? I have a 72 swb that I would like to lower a bit...
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Big Anthony ANTHONYinIRAQ@gmail.com
South Holland, IL 60473 (currently in Iraq)
Home of the Carniverous Sheep
1972 D100 SWB 318 4 SPD
2004.5 DRW Dodge CTD!
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57Plymouth
not so super gas
Reged: Jan 27 2003
Loc: A Happy Place, A Happy Place, ...
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I believe the Chisholm arms are out of production.
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Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit
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Furyusvip
mopar
Reged: Feb 22 2004
Loc: Big Chicago
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thanks...if that isn't the story of my life. Well, i guess I will just go in the house amd make some mac and chesse....and leave the gas on 
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Big Anthony ANTHONYinIRAQ@gmail.com
South Holland, IL 60473 (currently in Iraq)
Home of the Carniverous Sheep
1972 D100 SWB 318 4 SPD
2004.5 DRW Dodge CTD!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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go to www.bouchillonperformance.com they make a 3 inch drop control arm for our trucks....
Edited by spawn (Mon Feb 25 2008 08:49 AM)
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
Quote:
... now that im out of the research and development stage....
Hey Cheeto I in no way meant to downplay what you have done to help out on these trucks.Ive read the boards and you are a pioneer when it comes to lowering these trucks,and for that we are thankfull .My R&D stage was mainly figureing out how to keep my small bolt pattern. No machine shops wanted to turn these spindles down to the smaller inner bearing size.And if they would do it it was pretty pricey. So I had to find rotors with 4 1/2 pattern and the larger inner bearing.I ended up with 76 new yorker rotors,they bolt right on to the Dakota spindles. Tie rod ends today (hopefully) 
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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I will post some pics today.
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85_Ram_4speed
super street
Reged: Jun 12 2003
Loc: Truckville, the capital of NY
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The tierod deal is what is got me, because i belive they go on the opposite side (mount on top instead of bottom). I think if i were to do that on my truck, it would hit the sway bar or strut rod--i cant remember which.
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I build vehicles that others won't.........
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Cheeto
super gas
Reged: Jan 21 2003
Loc: Eastern Washington
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ramblebee, I was just pokin' fun at you. No worries. 
It's obviously been several years since I did this so a lot of the info is fuzzy because I've played with so many other things since. Here's what should solve some of the problems as I recall...
Tie rods: Dakotas used a high-mount and low-mount rack. I don't recall what years were what but, whithout getting into specifics, that should solve the dilemma.
4.5 pattern rotors: Early Dakota 2wds used this bolt pattern and had the larger outer bearing.
I'm very pleased to see that others are taking this info and applying it. We need to show the industry that these trucks are not un-buildable as rods.  We need an "old" truck gif. Can mine be immortalized?  
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Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
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lunacy
enthusiast
Reged: Aug 03 2007
Loc: Austin, TX
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I can't wait for the pictures. full details too, i haven't been on this board too long and I don't even know where to begin, but I have the motor out and the interior apart, might as well lower it at the same time. I'm waiting for someone to figure out how to swap in the newer ram spindles with the sealed bearings where you can run a new wheel with the smaller center hole. That would be trick.
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4 and no more...
1948 Dodge 1-1/2 Ton (In pieces)
1971 Dodge Dart (Project)
1973 Dodge D-100 (Project)
2005 Dodge Ram 1500 (Daily Beater)
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76dodgeboy
top fuel
Reged: Aug 20 2006
Loc: Iowa
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Will they early Dakota rotor fit the later spindel though. I was just going to get dropped spindles for 87-90 and use same year rotors and if you want to get extremely technical the Dakota spindles are minutely larger(pussycat hair diff.)so youve also "Put a big brake upgrade on" Jk. But if you just use all 87-90 Dakota stuff you only have to ask for one vehicle for front brake stuff when they need changed. Correct me if Im wrong. 
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"MOPAR" its a lifestyle!
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76dodgeboy
top fuel
Reged: Aug 20 2006
Loc: Iowa
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
... now that im out of the research and development stage....
Hey Cheeto I in no way meant to downplay what you have done to help out on these trucks.Ive read the boards and you are a pioneer when it comes to lowering these trucks,and for that we are thankfull .My R&D stage was mainly figureing out how to keep my small bolt pattern. No machine shops wanted to turn these spindles down to the smaller inner bearing size.And if they would do it it was pretty pricey. So I had to find rotors with 4 1/2 pattern and the larger inner bearing.I ended up with 76 new yorker rotors,they bolt right on to the Dakota spindles. Tie rod ends today (hopefully)
74-78 Newyorker are the same as 83-84 D100 ,80-84 D150, and a few others. I posted this before in one of mine on lowered truck pics and how it was done. Theres a list of interchangable stuff. Thanks for posting.
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"MOPAR" its a lifestyle!
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migsBIG
I love pink pigs
Reged: Jan 20 2003
Loc: San Jose,CA
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If you have a problem and want someone to care, go buy a dog.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Pics on the way.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Ok,I just bought a new camera today so I hope this works.First of all I want to say that my truck is a 73 model but I think all that changed on the later trucks was the inner wheel bearing.As ball joints are a non issue same as Dakota (5 ft cheater pipe to remove upper).The first obstacle is the dust sheild,which you will see in the pics I still need to modify a bit.The Dakota spindles move the caliper down a couple of inches so there is some trimming envolved and also drilling new holes in the shield.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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The next obstacle will be the control arms rubbing on the rotors.This could be a bigger problem with stock control arms.The Chisholm arms are very beefy.I took about a 1/4" off the ends of my arms.They clear the rotors by about 1/8" inch.
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85_Ram_4speed
super street
Reged: Jun 12 2003
Loc: Truckville, the capital of NY
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Is that suspension compressed as it would be at ride height?
Did you use the stock ram caliper bracket or the dakota one?
Are these the same cheap dakota spindles that can be found on ebay?
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I build vehicles that others won't.........
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Pic of rotor/arm clearance.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
Is that suspension compressed as it would be at ride height?
Yes at ride hieght.I need to come up with longer adjusting sleeves for the tie rods.Those outer ends are are for 79-80,b100,96-99 B150,81-94 B150,250.The stud size is exact same as Dakota.Spent two hours at parts store today looking at tie rod demensions in thier book.They clear strut rods just fine.
Edited by ramblebee (Mon Feb 25 2008 08:36 PM)
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Also I need to mention that the only thing tighten down in these pics right now is the upper ball joint.I didnt want to fight everything to take it apart if need be.The next side will be alot easier.Also will be getting new inner tie rods.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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That pic of rotor/arm clearance is decieving.There is more clearance than what looks like in the pic.
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76dodgeboy
top fuel
Reged: Aug 20 2006
Loc: Iowa
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Quote:
Ok,I just bought a new camera today so I hope this works.First of all I want to say that my truck is a 73 model but I think all that changed on the later trucks was the inner wheel bearing.As ball joints are a non issue same as Dakota (5 ft cheater pipe to remove upper).The first obstacle is the dust sheild,which you will see in the pics I still need to modify a bit.The Dakota spindles move the caliper down a couple of inches so there is some trimming envolved and also drilling new holes in the shield.
'87-96 Dakota share balljoint with some trucks. They did change on some. Same are as follows lower ball joints- D100 '72-79 and '83-89 D150 '72-80. Upper - D100 '72-79 '83-89 D150 74-93 those are the same.
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"MOPAR" its a lifestyle!
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76dodgeboy
top fuel
Reged: Aug 20 2006
Loc: Iowa
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Did you just remove the whole bumpstop bracket? As of now thats what my lower control arm is resting on after cutting 1.5 coils out On my '73Clubcab. Rough ride but will trim the braket after I perchase new coils incase when trimmed the hight change. Im afraid if I trim the bumpstop it will drop that much more.
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"MOPAR" its a lifestyle!
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
Did you just remove the whole bumpstop bracket? As of now thats what my lower control arm is resting on after cutting 1.5 coils out On my '73Clubcab. Rough ride but will trim the braket after I perchase new coils incase when trimmed the hight change. Im afraid if I trim the bumpstop it will drop that much more.
Yes bump stop bracket met its demise about a year ago when I chopped my springs.I think the bump stop is going away completely now.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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This has been a fun project.The dakota spindles on old ram trucks are kinda like bigfoot,everybodys heard of it but not many people have seen it. 
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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I have the luxury of having an entire parts truck so I have another set of dust shields Ive about butchered these.Its kinda trial and error.
Edited by ramblebee (Mon Feb 25 2008 08:46 PM)
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76dodgeboy
top fuel
Reged: Aug 20 2006
Loc: Iowa
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What dust shields are you using? Cant wait to see it sittn on the grond. What size tire are you going to run up front?
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"MOPAR" its a lifestyle!
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
Is that suspension compressed as it would be at ride height?
Did you use the stock ram caliper bracket or the dakota one?
Are these the same cheap dakota spindles that can be found on ebay?
Sorry, I only answered a third of your question.Yes I used Ram caliper brackets.They bolt directly to the 91-96 Dakota spindle.E-bay $129.00 plus shippng from Chassis Tech.
Edited by ramblebee (Mon Feb 25 2008 08:31 PM)
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
What dust shields are you using? Cant wait to see it sittn on the grond. What size tire are you going to run up front?
They are the factory ram dust shields.I had it sitting on the ground last night.I measure 13.5 inches from center of wheel to fender lip,thats without shock installed.Im not sure exactly how much it lowered it to be honest.I never measured it two years ago before I cut the coils.If someone could put a tape to thier stock truck measuring from center of wheel to fender lip it would give a pretty close estimate.Im guessing around 4".
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
What dust shields are you using? Cant wait to see it sittn on the grond. What size tire are you going to run up front?
Im keeping these 255 50 17.This is how it sat with cut springs.
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76dodgeboy
top fuel
Reged: Aug 20 2006
Loc: Iowa
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Ok I remember seein that truck. You posted on the post I talked about up a little. Are they going to fit without rubbing issues? Hope they fit Im noy into big wheels that much but your Truck looks Sweet with them.
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"MOPAR" its a lifestyle!
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
Ok I remember seein that truck. You posted on the post I talked about up a little. Are they going to fit without rubbing issues? Hope they fit Im noy into big wheels that much but your Truck looks Sweet with them.
They should still be fine.It actually raised it about a half inch.
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85_Ram_4speed
super street
Reged: Jun 12 2003
Loc: Truckville, the capital of NY
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The longer tie rod sleeves was another part that i looked at too as being a problem, let us know what you come up with for a part# or application. Looking good so far.
Were those tie rods neccesary to buy to get into the steering arms or are they longer on the adjuster side---whats the skinny on why you used them?
And hey, you knew there were going to be 5 million questions when you did this, thanks for your time in answering everyones--myself included.
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I build vehicles that others won't.........
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funkyjbp
mopar addict
Reged: Sep 10 2003
Loc: Parsons (SouthEast) Kansas
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ramblebee, awesome work!!! i also have 91-96 dak spindles sitting in my garage, destined for my 77 SWB. it is lowered with two inch dropped Chisholm springs. been threatening to slap em on my truck but i drive the dang thing! it's hard to rip into a driver, especially one you use regularly. Also have three inch de-arched rear springs with factory over-loads to install, should go 5 inch total rear drop with my two in dropped shackles. I have 17s with 275 55 rear tires and am trying to get a pair of 255 50s for the front. your truck looks right-on! here is a pic of my 77 before the dropped springs. (moparjamie is in the pic!) later, JP in KS.
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71 SWB, 413
77 SWB, 318
92 SWB, 5.2 magnum
79 Macho Short bed, 318
03 stratus coupe R/T
too many others not on the road!
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funkyjbp
mopar addict
Reged: Sep 10 2003
Loc: Parsons (SouthEast) Kansas
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Ramblebee, that pic is after the two inch drop. cannot find my before pics! had a computer get hit by lightening two years ago and the before pics must be on the other hard drive. this is after the drop.
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71 SWB, 413
77 SWB, 318
92 SWB, 5.2 magnum
79 Macho Short bed, 318
03 stratus coupe R/T
too many others not on the road!
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
The longer tie rod sleeves was another part that i looked at too as being a problem, let us know what you come up with for a part# or application. Looking good so far.
Were those tie rods neccesary to buy to get into the steering arms or are they longer on the adjuster side---whats the skinny on why you used them?
And hey, you knew there were going to be 5 million questions when you did this, thanks for your time in answering everyones--myself included.
I used the van tie rods mainly because the stud size is exact same as the Dakota.The obvious thing to do would be to use the Dakota tie rod end but they are female on the adjustment end.In other words they thread onto the tie rod instead of into an adjustment sleeve.I havent been able to get back to the parts store to look at adjusting sleeves yet.I have looked at a few pics of sleeves on rockauto and the 76 Newyorker(again) sleeves are a lot longer than the Ram.If they are the same size and thread as the Ram sleeves they should work.I dont mind answering everyones questions Id like to see more of these trucks customized.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Quote:
Ramblebee, that pic is after the two inch drop. cannot find my before pics! had a computer get hit by lightening two years ago and the before pics must be on the other hard drive. this is after the drop.
Thanks for the pics.I should have measured mine before I cut the springs a couple of years ago.So I dont really know how much this lowered it.Ill throw the wheel back on tonight a post a pic.
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ramblebee
enthusiast
Reged: Sep 24 2007
Loc: Amarillo, Tx
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Here is how it sits now.
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