Black Ops Auto Works. Building Durango SRT 392 and Hellcat suspension packages since the trucks launched.
The Durango SRT 392 and the Durango Hellcat are the two heaviest, most powerful three row SUVs on the road. Lowering one is not the same conversation as lowering a base R/T, and it is not the same as lowering a Trackhawk. Different curb weight, different factory shocks, different tire clearance, different owner priorities. Here is the direct Durango SRT and Hellcat lowering guide, straight from a shop that has been dropping these trucks since the SRT 392 launched.
Durango SRT and Hellcat, what makes lowering these different
- Curb weight roughly 5510 pounds on the SRT 392, roughly 6500 pounds on the Hellcat, both heavier than a Trackhawk
- Factory performance shocks, not load leveling shocks, so no rear shock swap required at spring install
- Factory 20 by 10 wheels with wider tires that already fill the arches, so a drop reads visually as bigger than the same drop on an R/T
- Factory bias toward Sport mode ride quality, which is stiffer than a base Durango, so ride harshness after a linear spring install is more noticeable than on a base truck
- Same WK2 and WDS platform underneath, so alignment specs and rear arm rules are identical to the Grand Cherokee guide
If you own a Durango R/T instead, the load leveling rear shock conversation is different, see Durango R/T lowering springs and the load leveling shock problem.
Spring options for Durango SRT and Hellcat
| Spring | Front Drop | Rear Drop | Ride Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mopar Performance | Roughly 1.0 inch | Roughly 1.6 inch | Very firm, linear | Warranty conscious owners who want dealer friendly parts |
| Eibach Pro-Kit | Roughly 1.1 inch | Roughly 2.1 inch | Very firm, linear | Maximum stance without arms, accepts harsh ride |
| Swift Springs | Roughly 1.5 inch | Roughly 2.5 inch | Progressive, close to factory Sport | Daily driven SRT or Hellcat, family use |
Eibach does not currently ship a Hellcat specific Special Edition kit like it does for Trackhawk, the standard Pro-Kit is the offering. Swift Springs Mid and Extreme are calibrated for the WDS Durango including Hellcat curb weight.
Ride quality on a heavier truck
Curb weight matters for spring feel. A linear spring like Eibach Pro-Kit feels firmer on a lighter truck and softer on a heavier truck because the same rate is compressed more by the higher weight. On a Durango SRT 392 the Eibach rides similar to what a Trackhawk owner would report. On a Durango Hellcat at 6500 pounds, the Eibach softens noticeably at ride height, which is a plus, but the rebound stays linear so it still rides harsher than a progressive spring over broken pavement.
Swift Springs Mid on a Hellcat is our most requested spring for a reason. The progressive rate matches the extra curb weight, the truck settles into a factory Sport mode feel, and the rebound speed is right for a heavy truck.
Do you need arms on a Durango SRT or Hellcat
Same rules as the WK2 platform:
- Mopar Performance, no arms
- Eibach Pro-Kit, no arms on most trucks, borderline at 2.1 rear
- Swift Springs Mid, no arms
- Swift Springs Extreme, arms required
Detailed rules in rear adjustable upper control arms, when you actually need them.
Front adjustable arms are not needed for a lowering spring install, front camber is corrected at the lower control arm slots.
Wheel and tire fitment on a lowered Durango SRT and Hellcat
Factory 20 by 10 SRT wheels with 295 tires clear at any of the four spring options above. Factory 20 by 10 Hellcat wheels with 295 tires clear at any drop up to Extreme.
For aftermarket wheel and tire combinations on a lowered Durango SRT or Hellcat, the practical maximums:
- 22 by 10 with 30 to 40 offset and 295 tire, no rubbing at any drop
- 22 by 10.5 with 33 offset and 305 tire, clears at Mid, borderline at Extreme
- 22 by 11 with 20 offset, needs a fender roll at Extreme
The Hellcat wheel arches are functionally identical to the SRT for tire clearance, so if it fits a lowered SRT it fits a lowered Hellcat.
Alignment target on a lowered Durango SRT or Hellcat
Same targets as the WK2 platform:
- Front camber, roughly negative 2.0 degrees both sides
- Front caster, 5.0 degrees plus or minus 0.5
- Total front toe, zero to positive 0.05
- Rear camber, negative 1.2 to negative 1.5 degrees
- Total rear toe, positive 0.2
Full spec explanation and shop instructions in WK2 alignment specs after lowering.
Trackhawk vs Durango Hellcat, quick lowering comparison
Same platform, same drops, different curb weights and different factory shock tuning. Owners cross shopping the two often ask which drops better. The answer, both drop the same amount because they share geometry, but the Hellcat looks slightly more aggressive at the same drop because of the wider fenders and larger arch openings. Ride quality trends slightly softer on the Hellcat at the same spring due to added curb weight. Full Trackhawk comparison in the Trackhawk Eibach vs Swift article.
Frequently asked questions
Which lowering spring is best for a Durango SRT daily driver
Swift Springs Mid, closest to factory Sport ride with a two inch rear drop.
Which lowering spring is best for a Durango Hellcat
Swift Springs Mid for daily use, Swift Extreme with rear adjustable arms if you want the deepest stance possible.
Do Durango SRT and Hellcat have load leveling rear shocks
No. The SRT 392 and Hellcat use performance dampers, not load leveling. Rear shock swap is optional at spring install, not required for the truck to drop.
Do I need rear arms on a Durango Hellcat with Eibach Pro-Kit
Usually no. The 2.1 inch rear drop lands the Hellcat rear camber at the outer edge of factory range, most trucks align without arms.
Will lowering my Durango Hellcat void the SRT warranty
No. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you. A dealer can only deny warranty claims on components the spring directly caused to fail, not the whole vehicle warranty.
How much does it cost to lower a Durango SRT or Hellcat
Springs plus alignment lands in the mid four figures with mid range parts. Add rear adjustable arms for Extreme, add shocks if the truck has over sixty thousand miles, budget accordingly.
Can I run 22 inch wheels on a lowered Durango Hellcat
Yes, 22 by 10 with a 30 to 40 offset and 295 tire clears at any drop up to Extreme without rubbing.
Will a lowered Durango Hellcat still hit its rated quarter mile
Yes, and often faster. A lower center of gravity plants the rear tires better off the line, especially with a progressive spring like Swifts.
Do I need new struts on a Durango SRT after lowering
If the truck has under sixty thousand miles, factory struts are fine. Over that mileage, replace fronts with Bilstein B6 the same day.
Is the Durango Hellcat ride harsh after Eibach Pro-Kit
Yes, noticeably. Linear spring, less rebound control, less forgiving over broken pavement. Swift Mid is the softer daily driver option at nearly the same drop.
Can I lower a Durango SRT with the tow package installed
Yes, only difference is the tow package trucks are more likely to have load leveling rear shocks, verify before install and swap if present.
Bottom line
Durango SRT and Hellcat lowering is straightforward once you accept that curb weight and tire clearance change the calculus. Swift Springs Mid is our most requested spring on these trucks for a reason, it drops them cleanly, retains factory Sport mode feel, and needs no arms. Eibach Pro-Kit is defensible if you want a firmer linear feel. Anything more aggressive than a two inch rear drop, plan on rear adjustable upper arms.
For the platform wide picture, read our complete WK2 and Durango lowering guide. Ready to plan out your SRT or Hellcat build, call Black Ops Auto Works at 855-221-9728.
Related reading
- The complete WK2 and Durango lowering guide
- Trackhawk lowering springs, Eibach vs Swift
- Rear adjustable upper control arms, when you need them
- Durango R/T lowering springs and load leveling shocks