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Dakota cab/Durango frame #2535361
08/12/18 11:07 PM
08/12/18 11:07 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 934
Central Michigan
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nuthinbutmopar Offline OP
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nuthinbutmopar  Offline OP
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Central Michigan
I've got a 2004 Durango Limited with a Hemi. It's hauled my car trailer (among others) all over the country, runs like a champ, plows snow in the winter, and serves as a backup for our daily drivers. But it's got 160,000 miles in Michigan and the leprosy is eating it from the bottom up. The frame is in (relatively) great condition compared to the body. I had thought of finding a Texas truck with driveline problems and swapping parts over, but today I had another thought:

Can I take a same/similar year Dakota cab and drop it on the Durango chassis? My front clip is in good shape, and I could swap the entire interior if I had a bare cab. Does anyone know if the body mounts would be anywhere near the same? what about the firewall? Maybe I'm crazy, but I AM a dodge guy...

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2535368
08/12/18 11:19 PM
08/12/18 11:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,042
colorado
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savoy64 Offline
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colorado
i would say its the same---but i also wondered if the durango has less kick up over the rear wheels----recently cut apart a mexican ramcharger--putting a cummins front frame under it and leaving the ramcharger rear frame because it matched the body contour (flat)the cummins cab mounts were exactly the same as the ramcharger....

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2535382
08/12/18 11:48 PM
08/12/18 11:48 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 934
Central Michigan
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nuthinbutmopar Offline OP
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I'd probably end up with a homemade bobtail bed, so as long as I can get the front mounts to match, I can fab something for rear mounts, and then use whatever space is left.

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2535399
08/13/18 12:40 AM
08/13/18 12:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,543
chicagoland,usa
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buildanother Offline
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buildanother  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,543
chicagoland,usa
05 and up dakota is only chance.

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2535768
08/13/18 06:39 PM
08/13/18 06:39 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,060
Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Online content
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mgoblue9798  Online Content
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Atlanta, GA
not sure about year model, but I remember reading some year dakota/durangos had rear suspension flipped v/s one another- 1 axle was on top of leaf springs, v/s other axle on bottom of leaf springs

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2535777
08/13/18 06:50 PM
08/13/18 06:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,042
colorado
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savoy64 Offline
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savoy64  Offline
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colorado
2WD vs 4WD is definately the axle flip......

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2536149
08/14/18 01:46 PM
08/14/18 01:46 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 198
Hershey, PA
7
73MagDuster Offline
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73MagDuster  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 198
Hershey, PA
NO, 2004 Durango was 1st year for 2nd Gen, code HB. Dakota/1st Gen Durango were very similar in the mid and front of the frame and cab, codes AN and DN. The Dakota went to its own unique platform, ND in 2005. It was not as wide as the HB.

2004 Durango has the 4 link rear and torsion bar front suspension with same ride height for 4x2 and 4x4. Frame was identical for all Durango from 2004 up. Same for Dakota for 2005 up, same frame 4x2 and 4x4, but again completely different from the 2004+ Durango.

Re: Dakota cab/Durango frame [Re: nuthinbutmopar] #2538645
08/19/18 07:49 PM
08/19/18 07:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,473
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
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JDMopar Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
I see 04 Durangos on Craigslist all the time with blown up 4.7's. Wow.... imagine that, lol. You'd be better off to head south and get another good body for $400-500 and swap it.







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