2000 Dodge Dakota DJM Suspension

From The Driver Seat
The '00 Dodge Dakota DJM Suspension static lowering kit was a simple, straight forward suspension kit to install. The most strenuous effort was removing the rear shackles and hangers. Dave needed a pneumatic chisel to break the rivets and to extract the shackle plates and hanger plates from the framerails.

After the DJM Suspension static lowering kit was installed, the Dakota was given an accurate front-end alignment. After putting some miles on the new suspension components, the suspension settled some more. The kit lowered the front 3 inches, whereas it lowered the rear a good 5 inches. To achieve a 1-inch lower drop in the front, they installed a pair of DJM shorter coil springs, PNCS2398-3, to achieve a 4-inch total drop to the nose. Installing a 1-inch lowering block, PNSB2397-3, between the rear-end axle housings, and leaf spring packs, will give you a 6-inch total drop in the rear. When doing a 6-inch drop in the rear, it is suggested to install a C-notch frame kit, PNFK2397-C.

The driveability was good, the ride became firmer, but the cornering and handling were improved greatly. The DJM Suspension static lowering kit was a win-win situation: a great price and improved handling performance.

Tools Used
Four jackstands, two floor jacks, assorted 1/2-inch drive sockets, 1/2-inch drive hand ratchet, 1/2-inch driver pneumatic ratchet, assorted 3/8-inch drive sockets, 3/8-inch drive hand ratchet, 3/8-inch drive pneumatic ratchet, assorted combination wrenches, breaker bar, pneumatic chisel, pneumatic drill, and assorted drill bits.

The factory front coil spring was going to be reused. Dave carefully reinstalled the upper factory spring boot. After reinstalling the factory coil spring between the upper and lower control arms, the new DJM gas filled shocks, PN1900, were installed.

The DJM 3-inch dropped lower control arm was designed not to effect the front-end suspension's geometry.

All of the front suspension nuts and bolts had been rechecked, it was time to move to the rear suspension.