Hi all. I know the early gen Durango had leaf spring rear suspension. Eventually the 2004 to 2009 Durango had coil spring rear suspension. I doubt any of the pre-2004 Durango chassis feature coil spring rear suspension? I'm looking for rear axle, 3:55 ratio, disc brakes if it had them, and coil spring suspension. Looking for a rear axle with the same track width as a Dakota and the same 6-bolt wheel pattern to use the 17" stock wheels.

Now, IF the 2004 and later Durango rear axle uses the same track width, same axle shafts, is there a chance I could use a 2004 Durango rear axle and suspension, but swap in the axle shafts from my 2001 Dakota donor chassis rear axle to get an axle with coil over 4-bar suspension with a Watts link setup, but maintain the 6-bolt wheel flanges. attern to use the 17" stock wheels.

Things were going along OK until you wanted to keep the 6 lug bolt pattern.

Axle swap information is extremely hard to come by, and that would probably be from someone who desperately wanted to swap just an axle for some reason and those two were all he had. The different bolt patterns will eliminate any exchange book from telling you they are interchangeable, even if they actually fit.

The Dakota 6 bolt wheel pattern is strictly Dakota, early Durango, and Viper! If you cab find anything, the Viper direction may be a possibility, they are old enough some parts might be available. I have no idea what the rear suspension was on them, but they could provide traction for the V10.

Since your digging into strange offerings, a 4x4 front axle set up from a 91-03 Dakota (and Durango through at least 07) have a torsion bar suspension with an independent center section and axle shafts. Those front ends have A frame upper control arms and lower control arms the torsion bars attach to The wheel bearings are mounted between the control arms, and the axle shafts pass through the bearings (the system is the same from 91 through the Durango Hemi trucks). A fixed outer bearing mount, or even a fixed tie rod set up would solve the front axle steering issue.

Put your thinking cap on! Might be worth looking into!

I'm here to help... LOL!

I'd get in touch with Cass at Doctor Diff. He knows the details to do what you want.
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