How to get that 1st Gen down low

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crazzywolfie

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i think i would have figured it out evenutally. starting to notice a few other familiar user names on some of those forums.
 

DodgeAddict

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I'm going to do a super low Pro Touring RamCharger using most of this frame
 

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dozer556

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Just an FYI in case you haven't seen these - you can get Dodge van complete LCAs made by Raybestos Chassis through Amazon.

(Raybestos part #s 507-1159 & 507-1160 for left and right, respectively.)

At around $102 per arm with bushings and balljoint already installed, they're not exactly cheap and they still have to be modified to fit. But they're another option to junkyard parts if you're looking to lower the front end.
 

DodgeAddict

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Thanks Dozer!
I meant to put that info in when I started this thread!

You can order two lefts or two rights, it doesn't matter because once you cut the stops off them they're identical

Rock Auto carries them also
 

Redtruck-VA

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Something about a stripped frame makes my imagination go crazy.. great project.
 

Gizmo5293

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Has anyone done this to a 1990 d250 with a cummins 12v? I want to do this but im not sure what one I should do or how to do the axle flip in the rear. can anyone help me or give me some advice on it?
 

Redtruck-VA

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Last edited:

Gizmo5293

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I believe there was a "Shop Truck" built not too long ago that was a lowered 1g diesel. Look at how the D150 are flipped and apply the same method. My 3g is flipped and notched. There are probably more lowered diesels then first thought, they keep their heads down mostly because of the criticism they get.

Try this google
https://www.google.com/search?q=low...8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7NDKB_enUS531&gws_rd=ssl

well I wanna lower it cause its a standard cab 5 speed 2wd.

I put a 4 inch turbo back straight pipe, tuned my pump, made an intake, built a 3 inch cross over tube, modded my banjo bolts and modded my high idle screw and now I can bearly get traction in 3. so I wanna lower it for a drag style truck. my only worry is bottoming out.

also im looking for an lsd for my rear axle with 3.07 gears.
 

Redtruck-VA

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We modify them to suit ourselves. My 1st gen is my utility truck and my gasser is the toy.
 

ryankenn

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Can you use the Van LCA with the Dakota Spindle to get a big drop, without hurting tie rod angles etc?

Is there a good link to the Dakota Spindle swap somewhere? I have Van LCA's going in but my original plan was to cut 1/2 coil off to get more drop, but looking at the tie rod angle I don't think that will be a good idea. If I can use the spindle to get 2" that would be fantastic.
 

DodgeAddict

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Moparts in the truck section Kevin laid it out off all the posts a bunch of us made over the years
You will run into ball joint angle problems cutting the springs
Here's 7"rear with a flip & moving the rear spring hangers up on the frame 3" with a 29" tire 255/70/15
5" front Van LCA's stock springs 25 1/2" tire 225/60/15
IMG_20150121_132145_zpsuba6tj9u.jpg
When I move the hangers I move the bottom riveted holes to the top ones bolt them in & drill the hole in the hanger you see in the pic through the frame
The forward hole I try to do the same spacing
When you do this you can tune your height in the rear 1" at a time
20141121_153247_zpsadcf81b6.jpg
You have to cut the pieces sticking up off to clear the crossmember on the floor of the bed
20141122_211016_zpsfdaeb5cb.jpg
 

lanegrita

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This is my 1st gen cummins short bed
20160225_162125_zpsdx7k6ftf.jpg
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Sniper X

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Around here they even lower 4x4s which I'll NEVER understand! However a lowered 4x2 is pretty cool if you arent going to use the truck for regular ranch type truck stuff and just as a street truck.
 

Flippy02

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Ok, I know I'm bringing up a old thread.

I've got a D250 cummins, so far from what I've seen the upper control arms are the same as the D150, with different ball joints, and the lower control arms are different between the HD the LD, but people have successfully put the HD on their LD trucks to lower them.

What would prevent me from nbuying a set of d150 2" drop spindles and reading l reaming them to fit the larger HD ball joints and installing them on my d250, successfully?
 

u2slow

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Ok, I know I'm bringing up a old thread.

I've got a D250 cummins, so far from what I've seen the upper control arms are the same as the D150, with different ball joints, and the lower control arms are different between the HD the LD, but people have successfully put the HD on their LD trucks to lower them.

What would prevent me from nbuying a set of d150 2" drop spindles and reading l reaming them to fit the larger HD ball joints and installing them on my d250, successfully?

The spindle bearings/journals are larger on the heavy suspension (D250 cummins and D350; aka '4000#' suspension, but may be 3800ish in the actual truck.)

You also need to see where the caliper ends up. D150 (5-lug) uses a small diameter rotor. I don't know if the difference is accounted for in the spindle, or in the caliper bracket.

FWIW, I'm content with stock height, and adding extra tire on the rear only.
 
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