Hello, the cab bushings on my truck are dryrotted and falling apart. I am wondering how much it would cost to have a shop to do the work? I believe the cab has to be lifted. Just wondering how much is involved with that? I am thinking what about a $1k should cover it I would think. But, if there is an easier way I can do it myself then I could think about trying it. Also, is the factory ones the best ones to use or the poly bushings? Thank you in advance.

 

Yes, the cab needs to be lifted, but not very high and not all at once. It's easy to loosen all the bolts, but only remove one side at a time, then lift that side of the cab with a floor jack. It's basically like installing a body lift, and people do that at home all the time.

Also, I don't know of any poly bushings available for a first gen. If you find some, post up the info, because I think other people have been looking with no success.

 

its an easy job.. just make sure to soak them bolt heads in wd or oil or something, cause if the retainer on the top breaks or so fourth its fun job to remove. I was lucky and I just did my cab mounts only issue I had was drivers front mount @ rad support but was able to gain access from beside rad to hold the nut with a screw driver.. :O
rest I actually removed like butter with a 1/2 ratchet, and while I was at it I added some body lift:O total spent was under 3 hours, a case of beer, bruised knuckles, already had new bolts for the body lift, my back yard with a small jack and it was just over 300 cnd with lift/bushings shipped so wasn't bad deal :O

 

What is the difference between the cab mount bushings for a 2wd vs. a 4wd Dakota?

I found where Energy Suspension offers a kit for the 87-96 2wd Dakotas. Part number 5.4106G. It would be interesting to know if these will also work on a 4x4 or what makes the 2wd kit different from the 4wd.

 

no difference when it comes to body mounts.

 

That is what I was hoping to hear. Thanks.

 

Okay, so let's cover this. So, I'm assuming if I get the Energy Suspension Kit for example what needs to be disconnected on the truck? Also, how should I go about lifting the body? I mean if I do one side at a time is there is a good point where I need to place the wood/jack. Also, I need a 2x4 or 4x4 piece of wood correct? Additionally, when removing the old body mount bolts do I need to use a Pickle Fork to hold the old bolt like the one guy did in the Youtube video? Thank you in advance.

 

the only thing I disconnected was the transmission shifter(automatic) cause it needed a section welded in anyway..

as for lifting I used a 4x4 block cut to length and a small 18inch lift jack I bought for removing tires.. worked fine.

go around and loosen all cab bolts first off but only remove one side at a time otherwise cab will slide to opposite side of lifting... found this out when I did box lift first :O (should have read instructions HAHA) but anyway you only need to lift just enough to remove the rubber.. inch or 2 .. new bushing maybe little thicker...

 

Thanks everyone. I got new cab bolts for now. I'll do the cab bushing probably spring time.

 

Are you going to replace the bolts now, or wait until you do the bushings? Because if you're going to pull the bolts out anyway, you might as well replace the bushings at the same time. Otherwise, you're just making a bunch of extra work for yourself.