Hotchkis Suspension Parts

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goldduster318

goldduster318

Overzealous Car Modifier
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Has anyone checked out the Hotchkis suspension parts that they've recently come out with??

I'm especially interested in the sway bars...1.25" & 1". Not sure if they'd actually be better than the Hellwig kit as they are fairly similar designs (hellwig are smaller). They also said they'd be coming out with Upper Control arms for the 73-76 front ends this spring.

I'm mainly looking to improve the handling/chassis stiffness of my Duster. So far I have a stock HD suspension with some .920 T-bars and the handling is fairly decent already.

I'm also not sure what everyone's vendetta is against bolt-in subframe connectors...they seem to work on every brand-x vehicle known to man.
 
Unless you plan to step up to some real wheels and tires I would limit your suspension mods to a quality, stock rebuild, alignment, 1" torsion bars, standard gas shock, and sway bars.

I have seen Hellwig come up often as one of the brands being used. If the cost of Hotchkis is more, I wouldn't bother.
 
That is too much bar in the rear for your car. Even being tubular.. 3/4" is plenty. Hotchkis is copying Hellwig with the adjustable rear.....look at the $$$ difference between the 2 brands....

I have installed pretty much every brand out there....and for our A bodies, I really like Hellwig and Firm Feel over Hotchkis and Addco...
 
I just installed a Hellwig 73-76 K-member type sway bar. Installed it in about 20-30 minutes in my garage under jackstand and taking only one wheel off. Just make sure to jack the car 14" or so in the front to thread the sway bar in (73-76 K-members). I like tighten the end links 80% on the jackstands. Then leave everything a little loose until I get the car back on the ground. The sway bar with sort of center itself. Then final tighten everything.

For the 66-72 sway bars, you shouldn't have to even take the wheels off or jack the car that high.

HellwigFrontSwayBarInstallSm04.JPG


HellwigFrontSwayBarInstallSm06.JPG


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HellwigFrontSwayBarInstallSm11.JPG


HellwigFrontSwayBarInstallSm18.JPG
 
My car has the original K-member+ 74 Model year spindles/control arms...so I have the original style "wide" sway bar.

I'm also interested in tubular upper control arms as I've had issues with the ball joints backing out of the high mileage stock arms I have...and the one that did that is now welded on as a result.

I plan on keeping the .920 t-bars and using 15's for now and maybe 17's in the future. I plan on buying some BFG G-force tires for it in the 225/60R15 size i use now.

I live in MI so I can't go to a hard as a rock suspension...it will beat me and the chassis to death.
 
goldduster318 said:
My car has the original K-member+ 74 Model year spindles/control arms...so I have the original style "wide" sway bar.

I'm also interested in tubular upper control arms as I've had issues with the ball joints backing out of the high mileage stock arms I have...and the one that did that is now welded on as a result.

I plan on keeping the .920 t-bars and using 15's for now and maybe 17's in the future. I plan on buying some BFG G-force tires for it in the 225/60R15 size i use now.

I live in MI so I can't go to a hard as a rock suspension...it will beat me and the chassis to death.
Click to expand...


Good tires, even on 15s will really help your suspension mods shine.

Drives me crazy when I see big money suspension mods an a car running standard White Letter tires.
 
talk to dick a Firm Feel. he can hook you up. their stuff is top notch and great guys too deal with! i got from summit and took them back because they looked so cheap!
 
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