I recently purchased a 2000 Dodge Dakota quad cab and the factory style bumper is damaged so I thought I would replace it with a Heavy duty rear step bumper (the type that has the diamond plate on top) and I found the bumper (Westin 63000 Black Diamond Step Steel Rear Bumper) but when I looked for the mounting brackets..there is a notice that says (will not fit quad cab truck)
I don't understand why or what is different that I can't install this bumper.Is there anyone that has mounted a nice rear step bumper on there 2000-04 Dodge Dakota Quad cab?
Please let me know.
Thank you!

I can't answer that, but here's a bump for you.

I too looked at replacing my worn bumper on my 97, but they are SO cost prohibitive, I can't believe "they" even bother trying to sell them!

I used a Westin on my PowerWagon, and I have to say, it lasted about one year before it looked bad. They don't understand how steel rusts and their weldment designs are poor.

I agree... but I have already planned on sand blasting the inside and priming it with epoxy and seam sealing it and then painting it with urethane paint and then while it is still wet the last coat I will spray it with bed liner coating. I would think that would make it last me.

Back to your question, why might a quad cab be different mounting than any other Dakota?

This place doesn't seem to discriminate between body styles.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2000/do...unting_kit.html

The quad cab has a heavy piece of tubing with rubber mounts on the end between the frame rails right in front of the rear bumper. My 02 already had the piece removed when I got it but it was thrown in the truck when we towed it home. It went straight to the scrap pile so I don't have a pic of it.

O.K. I haven't looked underneath because of the weather, but if that is the reason I guess I can remove it with out having to worry about making the fame weak back there right?

I have a 2016 Ridig hitch book here, it offers 3 different rear bumper styles available for a Dakota listed as 97-04 Dakota, with no foot notes. None of them are cheap. Whatever the "issue" is, it must be pretty easy to resolve. Gene

I have hauled my cuda a good many miles and several good loads in the bed and I have had no issues with the frame or anything. I have no clue what the purpose is of the part. When you see it you will know. There is a few bolts thru the frame holding it on. You should be fine without it.

That 'thing' is a harmonic dampener for the frame. Must have been some sort of resonance caused by the longer cab and shorter bed on those trucks that the engineers added it. You could probably do without it it I'm not sure what exactly happens. Anywhere from added drone/ vibrations felt by passengers (mild annoyance) to vibration induced cracks. Would have to ask the design team why it was added to those trucks but not the others