How low is too low?

[dndrodshop]

Life keeps getting in the way of progress on this project.

Front is fixed height but back has air bags.

Body has been lifted to go on Rotisserie.

Does anyone think I might be too low?

[greg g]

only if a lotta people throw cans out along the highway... and there aren't any speed bumps or curbs or potholes or expansion joints, or low shoulders. What;s it gonna be with passengers, fluids and othe necessary stuff??

[Eneto-55]

People talk about the 'scrub line' - well, I always remember how I came over a rise on a county road in Minnesota one Spring, and there in front of me was a buckle in the blacktop. I was driving a 62 Chrysler Newport, which came with 14s, but I was running 15s, so I was even a little higher than stock. I had to either hit the hump with the tires one side or the other, or straddle it. I straddled it, and caught it with the cross member that goes under the engine. The whole car shuddered and like hesitated before it made it over. Didn't hit anything else, but it did bend the lip of that cross member.

So I guess it depends where you want to be able to drive.

Neto

[greg g]

When we take our dog to board, we need to cross an intersetion of US rt 20. Its a 2 lane at this point with probably 9 ft lanes and 3 feet of shoulder on each side. There is eough of a height difference between the maine road and the cross that even when pullig away from the stop you need to go slowly. There are numerous gouges in the pavment of the main road at the crown. I have even see long wheelbase vehicles quartering the deal like 4 wheelers crossing a gully.

Hope you roads are smoothe and flat. Will your suspension lift the vehicle higher for underway purposes???

Nicel looking combination, to bad Mopar never made one like it.

[dndrodshop]

I've got 14's on the front but will probably go to 15's.

And I can get a little more spring height out of the front also.

It's a flat land cruiser and all the drivetrain is raised up inside the frame rails.

[49roadster]

Looks like it wouldn't be legal in California

[1941Rick]

Here in British Columbia you can not have any part of the car lower than the rim...so you would have to run 22s on it with real skinny tires....but then who would like to drive a car like that.....

[Captain Neon]

I'm loving this project you are workin' on. I always thought it a shame that there was no P15 sedan delivery. Just my personal opinion, I think it is too low. Wisconsin may be flatland, but when one considers frost heaves and frequent road construction, it may be wise to get some more distance between frame/body and roadway.

[Merle Coggins]

I certainly wouldn't consider Wisconsin Flat land country, especially around Ed's neck of the woods. I certainly wouldn't attempt to drive it in and out of my driveway. It would most likely become frame hung half way out or drag the bumpers exiting onto the street.

[mrwrstory]

I've always had lowered cars. My take is that the lower, the cooler,...well almost! But what goes along with coolness is decreased ride quality and the increased need to be vigilant about roadway topography. Having critical parts above the frame line gets you pretty good protection. Bottoming on the frame sounds awful but pretty much does only cosmetic damage. Bottoming on the "bump stops" occasionally is no big deal for me. It's severe driveway transitions that make me pucker. How much, where and what distances you plan to drive your delivery are factors too. But again,....it costs to be cool!

My lowered P-15 had about 4.5" clearance to frame at the cowl before I did the new suspension. I have reduced that to 3.5" but with all the hard parts above the frame line". I also have the option of getting back about .5" with suspension adjustment.

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Are there more pics of your delivery available? I'd love to see more of what you have done and how you did it.

[dndrodshop]

• '88 Dakota front Clip
  
• Power Rack/Power disc brakes
  
• 8-3/4" "E" Body Rear end
  
• 5.2 Chrysler with 5-speed manual
  
• 4 bar air bag rear
  
• all new floors and firewall
  
• Cargo floor that changes to Jump Seat
  

A lot of bodywork to be completed yet.

Grandkids, family & work seem to slow the process down.

[greg g]

Neat deal on the Jump seat, rest is pretty cool too.

[deathbound]

I've always had lowered cars. My take is that the lower, the cooler,...

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I've tried several times to post various pictures and u tube clips of this car with no luck.

So do a 'Google' on; "The Woodruff Special" if you want to see low.

I think Robert KB would call this a "squashed bug".

Here's a link to it:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfY_BKyWEfo

[mrwrstory]

To cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Both the P-15 Delivery and the Bug.

[Plymouthy Adams]

With a body this unique I think I would be more apt to make this a vehicle that I could run daily and be able to at least bring the groceries home...Personally I think it a bit low but the rest is looking great..but I do know the look you are after..will turn many heads I am sure..

[3dodgedoobie]

No not at all. I live here in tn. Some of the worse roads they r. I can drive my bodydropped Dakota at about 3-4 inches off ground on straight roads. With very little issues. But if need tight turn or speedbump etc i can raise it. I know you said it had 88 dodge fronted. Fixed? Why don't u put some air under front?

[dndrodshop]

Currently springs &shocks removed & struts at fixed ride height

Haven't found anyone offerring 88 dakota air ride kits yet

May have to make my own!

[3dodgedoobie]

yeah more than likely you will have to make your own. but it simple. 2- 2600 lb bags i prefer slambags. (what im running on mine) some bag cups that will sit in the lower arms and upper section. they few places makes custom arms but very pricey. pick up a mini truckin magazine and go threw the ads.

[dndrodshop]

3dodge

You ever check out these guys:

http://gravity-werx.com/

I really like their airbags.

[dndrodshop]

Maybe I should be more specific...

Slam Specialties Air Bags thru Gravity Werx.

The bags don't grow when you air them up.

Less likely to have interference.

Seem to have higher ratings than other manufacturers for same sizes.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Ed, just curious if you got my PM to you couple days back? I ask as some folk do not always option the PM page..

[dndrodshop]

...bodydropped Dakota at about 3-4 inches off ground on straight roads. With very little issues. But if need tight turn or speedbump etc i can raise it. ?...

What year is your Dakota?

And can you send me a photo of the shocks relocated?

That's the one thing that's got me stumped!

[3dodgedoobie]

My Dakota is 2000 model . The slam bags is what I was talking about. Alot better bag. As far as the shock mounts I had to do mine weird in the back. I still have stock width rear and I installed a watts link to keep rearend from moving side to side. Which killed where I would have put shocks. I probably will have to move them when I put better/ newer bags in rear. I will get more lift and that might push my shocks to the max. I gotta do some shock shopping to see if I can fit a taller shock under the rear. But I will take some pics. And pm u when I upload them.

[chopt50wgn]

Love the look of it so far. Have you figured out how the exhaust will hang and where it will exit?

Very cool delivery!!!

[dndrodshop]

Just separated the body from the frame. Rotisserie work for both.

Got the MOPAR 5.2 exhaust to the back of the trans mount, I’ll figure the rest out.

Starting with Cross over single but building the frame to allow for duals sometime in the future.

Making Air Bags mounts for the 88 Dakota front are a higher priority.