Posted By: C_Notch
Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/26/14 12:25 AM
Who has done this? or who has done this lately? what was your experience?
What year truck and what are all the parts that you used?
thanks in advance
Posted By: 85_Ram_4speed
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/26/14 01:18 AM
Here is an excellent write up of it actually done.
https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...part=1&vc=1I have a set that one of these days I will get them on my '85 stepside. I also have a used set I need to get off my former daily driver '96 dakota so someone else can use them.
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/26/14 02:33 AM
I've read all of that more then once. It was a very helpful thread. I've run into a problem and was wondering what everyone elses experiences were.....specific to year truck and parts used.
Posted By: stumpy
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/26/14 05:22 AM
What problems have you run into. It would be a lot easier to fix them if we knew what parts and vehicle you were working with. Otherwise you are going to get a lot of info that will just confuse the issue.
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/26/14 12:15 PM
My truck is an 84. I have the 91-96 drop spindles. I know that I have to shave down the caliper bracket to get it to mount on dakota spindle. My problem is that the rotor touches where the tierod mounts.
I haven't read anywhere that the tierod mount needs to be shaved down so to not rub the rotor. So what I want to know is if I use a 85and up rotor will I have the same issue? bolt pattern change would be in my favor so that's not an issue.
This is why I was asking for people who have actually done this with the real experience. If you haven't done it, you won't know 100%
Posted By: 76dodgeboy
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/27/14 12:38 AM
What Spindles do you have? I've never heard of shaving ANY parts for them to fit that I remember.
Posted By: poorboy
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/27/14 05:06 AM
He must have the Dakota drop spindles on a full size truck.(That is significant info.) He says his truck is an 84, but Dakotas didn't come out until 87. He also stated the bolt pattern changed in 85, the Dakota went from 5 bolt wheels to 6 bolt wheels in 91.
Original poster, if your really looking for help, you need to provide all the info about your truck and the problem, pretend we don't have any idea what your dealing with, because we don't. Gene
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/27/14 06:25 AM
ok. My truck is 1984 Dodge D150. It originally had a slant 6. When I bought it previous owners had changed it to a 318. the rear is flipped and chevy shackles. the front has new coils that I cut and van lca. I run 17" wheels from a 2003 Ram 1500 using a 1" spacer that changes the pattern from 5x4.5 to 5x5.5
I purchased drop spindles for a 91-96 Dodge Dakota.
I had to shave the caliper bracket so that I could mount it to the dakota drop spindle.
Here is my problem. The rotor is touching the mounting location for the tie rod end.
I haven't read anywhere that I need to shave the tie rod mounting location so it won't rub. I have read that the 76 Newyorker rotors that people have used are the same part number as the 1984 D150 rotors, so I believe that will not fix my problem.
Thanks to all that have replied. Sorry I didn't explain it better.
Posted By: BulletBob
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/27/14 03:07 PM
Depending on how many coils you cut you may windup hitting the steering shaft with the upper control arm
I used Belltech spindles when I did it & the rotor was close
Do you have Belltech spindles or Chassis tech?
Chassis tech are Chinese knockoffs with a bunch of casting flash I'm not sure they still carry them for the Dakota though
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/27/14 05:22 PM
"Do you have Belltech spindles or Chassis tech?"
BulletBob, I have the Belltech spindles. What year was the truck you put your on?
I have been driving the truck for 2years or so with cut coils and van lca's. the spindles shouldn't change that any of that just the height of where the wheels mount.
Posted By: BulletBob
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/27/14 07:55 PM
I did them on an 87 about 10 years ago or so maybe more
I copied exactly as a member here had done & bought all the same parts he used
IIRC the 87-90 Dak spindles had the tie rod upside down or wrong size that required the ream
Posted By: 76dodgeboy
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/29/14 06:26 PM
Got pic? Mt understanding is nothing really changed 87-96. 87-91 is what most get to use. Belltech 2600 is what Ill be using.
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/30/14 06:57 AM
91-96 dakota drop spindle belltech 2600
84 d150 rotor
Posted By: ramblebee
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/30/14 05:58 PM
I'm not real sure what's going on there. That's the first time I've seen or heard of that. My steering arm to rotor clearance was tight but it did clear. I used the chassis tech spindles, they were partially machined in the area of the tie rod hole. It looks like those have no machining at all in that area. I personally wouldn't be afraid to grind a little off. Maybe those spindles missed out on some machining?
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/31/14 04:58 AM
Ramblebee, i am planning on grinding it down a little. how close is the tierod end boot to the rotor? or does the dust shield block it?
Posted By: BulletBob
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/31/14 06:09 PM
Those were 2600's you had before weren't they Harry?
Posted By: C_Notch
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 08/31/14 07:20 PM
"2600 is 87-90
2605 is 91-96"
My mistake. mine are the 2605's
Posted By: Greg55_99
Re: Dakota Drop Spindles - 09/24/14 07:47 PM
Info from ElPolako at Industsrial Chassis:
"We have found that if you use the BellTech spindles, you are limited to the stock Dakota rotors. The D-series truck rotors will hit the tie rod. BellTech has not only raised and shortened the steering arm, but now have moved it outboard. This has caused an interference issue, we have not had this issue with the spindles from Airbagit."
http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/?page_id=281Greg
