Front springs JTSVP vs Belltech

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Srt10650, May 17, 2019.

Car Parts
  1. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Thanks, I really enjoy working with the kids around!
     
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  2. VIPR PWR

    VIPR PWR Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I’m sure they asked you to get them that wrench or socket

    I use to have my oldest son give me a hand working on the cars .. he loved it ,, was 5 when I started getting him into it ....
     
  3. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Haven’t had time to finish the front upper and lower control arm bushing with the energy suspension kit that I have. But I recently picked up a brand new cal tracs kit for pretty cheap, so I decided to start that project and eventually go back to finish the bushings. Here are some pictures of the cal tracs and my progress so far. Only had about an hour or day light so I called it a night early. I should be done by tomorrow.
     

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  4. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Here’s the progress so far. I removed the Belltech U bolt plate to put on the Cal Trac bracket/plate on the bottom. Had to remove this to remove the over load leaf spring on the bottom, due to my truck is lowered.
     

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  5. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    I too recently installed the Caltrac traction bar set up. Makes one heck of a difference off the line!
     
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  6. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Within the past month, I too have replaced all suspension front to rear, and most of the steering. All I have left is the front sway bar end links, tie rod end inner and outer, and lower control arm bushings. It's like riding in a brand new truck.
     
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  7. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Very true, that’s why I decided to replace my whole suspension. If you don’t mind me asking how much did you spend on all your suspension and steering components? Also how much did you get your Cal Tracs for? Thanks.
     
  8. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Half way done, I just finished my driver side. It wasn’t too bad of a job. Here are some pics of the progress.
     

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  9. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Well, it's been pricey. Here's the cost per item so far, but does not include labor for install at speed shop. I was only able to do the simple stuff, like tensioner pulley, shocks myself due to not having a garage or necessary tools. All my tools were stolen 5 years ago, and some were specialty tools. I've got around $3K in labor alone. Got more stuff that will be added later.

    Bilistein Front and Rear Shocks, total: $460.00
    OEM Rear Leaf Springs & U Bolts: $620.00
    Moog Upper Control Arms and Lower Ball Joints: $362.00
    McGaughy's 2/4.5 Lowering with Flip Kit: $470.00
    Caltrac's Traction Bars: $600.00
    SPC Camber/Castor Alignment cams due to lowering kit: $130.00
    Timken Front Wheel Bearing Hubs: $440.00
    Drilled and Slotted Rotors, front and rear, with Carbon Ceramic Pads: $700.00

    Other items that have been replaced:

    OEM tranny ouput shaft seal: $15.00
    OEM Tranny Mount: $105.00
    Spicer U joints: $120.00
    OEM Carrier Bearing: $75.00
    OEM Tensioner Pulley and Serpentine Belt: $200.00
    New Tranny Filter and Fluid: $80.00

    Parts bought, but not installed yet:
    OEM Vapor Canister: $160.00
    OEM Lower Control Arm Bushings: $100.00
    OEM Inner and Outer Tie Rod Ends: $180.00
    OEM Front Sway Bar End Links: $104.00
    Valve Cover Gaskets: $68.00

    Wish List that will soon be reality:
    B&B Long Tube Headers, no cats, only resonators.
    Larger Throttle Body
    Detroit Tru Track Rear Chunk
    Rear Wheel Bearings and Seals
    Candy Apple Wine Red Powder Coated Valve Covers
    Body Shop to remove door dings, and complete new paint job once I get a hard bed cover and spoiler.
     
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  10. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    AMS3, I know what you mean. I don’t know what your shop rate is where your at, but things can get pricey. I think the shop rate here(San Francisco, Ca) is about $130-$150, so labor adds up quick. Here’s my break down of my prices.

    2005 Dodge Ram SRT10 Quad Suspension/lowering kit prices

    Belltech components
    -Front/Rear Street Performance Shocks $190.00
    -Regular Cab Front Springs $87.81
    -Rear Flip Kit $215.81

    Cal Trac Components
    -Cal Tracs for flip kit $270.00

    Energy Suspension Components
    -Coil Springs Isolator Bushings $23.37
    -Front Shorter Bumpstops $27.10
    -Upper And Lower Control Arm Bushings $77.53
    -Rack and Pinion Bushings $20.46
    -Leaf Springs Bushings $78.09

    Hotchkis Suspension Components
    -Front/Rear Sway Bars And Rear Endlinks $300.00
    -Front/Rear Sway Bar Bushings $51.36

    Moog Components
    -Inner Tie Rods $86.39
    -Outer Tie Rods $58.08
    -Lower Ball Joints $73.28
    -Upper Control Arms $117.79
    -Wheel/Hub Bearings $228.99
    -Shorter Front Sway Bar Endlinks $64.49
    -Caster/Camber Cam Bolt Kit $80.79

    Prothane Suspension Components
    -Rear Shorter Bumpstops $32.89

    Total $2,084.23

    Additional expenses
    -Kobalt 24V impact drill $100.00
    -Harbor Freight 2wd ball joint press $60.00
    -Harbor Freight bits $20.00
    -Machine Shop to press out the belltech shackle bushings(those are the only ones that I couldn’t press out) $50.00
    -3 cans of Epoxy paint(bottom of the lower control arms and leaf springs had some surface rust, cleaned them up and painted) $30.00
    -A couple of cases of adult beverages $Unlimited Budget

    I would say roughly about $2,500.00, I did all the work myself. 2hrs here, maybe 4hrs here and there(sometimes no work was done to the truck). I had to manage my time wisely and especially with the family. I would say it has taken me roughly about a month(if I added all the days I actually worked on the truck) to install all the parts. And maybe 1yr to gather all the parts, just trying to get the best bang for the buck and get the best deals. All my parts I gathered from Vtcoa, Craigslist, EBay, Rockauto(always with the 5% discount code), Offer Up, and Facebook Market Place. It’s kind of tough to have mods money when I have a family of 6, but I think it’s has been well worth the wait. I can’t wait to finally get some new tires, get an alignment and finally start enjoying all my hard work.
     
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  11. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    You're doing a heck of a job to balance family with pure fun, and I commend you. I have been divorced since 2016 {my choice} and have two adult kids. Seems the kids need more money than any toys we have, LOL. Anyway, your cost is admiral to say the least. I'm basically Zero timing my truck, and the suspension has made a world of difference!

    My cost per hour at the Speedshop, is $110, however, I get a 10% military discount, so that helps:)
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2019
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  12. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Thanks. Too bad Rockauto doesn’t have military discount. I usually only get that at Kragen, every little bit helps.
     
  13. CaptnCrash

    CaptnCrash Full Access Member

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    If you're going to lower the front end you might want to look into a bump steer kit. Just another thing you have to correct when you lower things.
     
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  14. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Sounds good, thanks. I’m probably wait on that till after I get new tires and alignment done. We’ll see what the alignment guy tells me.
     
  15. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    Just finished up the other side with the cal tracs. Suspension looks really good under the rear end, after replacing everything. I like the fact that since it’s lowered you can’t see the cal tracs from the side(sleeper). Unless you really get under there and try to find what your looking for. Can’t wait to get new tires and alignment done, so I can really notice the difference. Hopefully I get the helper bags for the rear in March and finally be done with all the suspension. Here are some pictures of the progress so far.
     

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  16. AMS3

    AMS3 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, those traction bars make a huge difference. I don't squall the tires now, it just squats and launches.
     
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  17. Srt10650

    Srt10650 Full Access Member

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    My buddy dropped off his truck for me to look over and some maintenance/mods. And I wanted to update my thread with sway bar measurements from stock sway bars to my Hotchkis sway bars.

    04 Dodge Ram SRT10 RC
    stock front sway bar- 1.29
    stock rear sway bar- .92

    05 Dodge Ram SRT10 QC
    stock front sway bar- 1.29
    stock rear sway bar- None, Quad Cabs don’t come with factory rear sway bar

    Aftermarket Hotchkis sway bars
    front sway bar- 1.50
    rear sway bar- 1.00
     

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  18. Snake Charmer#04

    Snake Charmer#04 New Member

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  19. Snake Charmer#04

    Snake Charmer#04 New Member

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    Just lowered my SRT10 silver 2/door with a Ground Forces kit and New QA1adjustable shocks, Calvert traction bar. Oh! Almost forgot the Ground Forces lowering kit was a 1/inch front, 2/inches rear... Now drive and handle like a Porche.
     
  20. Snake Charmer#04

    Snake Charmer#04 New Member

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    15867339211644104040780635441788.jpg 15867340105458300092941067023577.jpg Here's some pictures, of my lowered SRT10 2/door silver truck.
     
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