Okay, I have a chance to pick up a nice used camper top/topper for my 93 Dakota extended cab...the bed measures 62-63 inches wide and 81 inches long if I measure from front of bed to end of bed where the tailgate latches.
The guy with the topper lists it as 79 inches long (could be tape measure error) and the right width and says its off an '04 Dakota extended cab. So, is there a difference in bed length between a 93 Dakota and an '04? I know the body styles are different, but can't find any specs on the beds to compare dimensions.

 

Lol, tape measures don't have 2 inches of error!

With that said, '04 is a 2nd gen, and I used to have a 2nd gen camper shell on my truck. It wasn't a perfect fit, but it was definately long enough.

 

If I were you I'd call the dude up and tell him you are interested and go and go check it out first. I know out the first gen the edges of the bed and tailgate have a kind of taper on it, so you might luck out and it'll fit good.

It's funny cuz my Dakota had a shell when I bought it and I sold it for $100. Shells are awesome function wise but I just do not like how they look on most trucks. There are exceptions, a nice fiberglass shell on say an f250-350 longbed that is the same color etc as the body can look cool IF done right. But it's hard to pull it off without the rugged old man look or illegal immigrant look lol

 

It's a warm place for the dogs that hunt with me, so I'll check it out.