Has anyone installed a performance suspension on their 1st Gen Dakota? Heavier springs? Anti-sway bars? Thinking of something that could corner better.

 

It's a truck. Unless you bag it and lower with coil overs,etc. it's not going to corner much better.

 

I'm actually fairly impressed with my Dakota (4wd) handling. Sure, it's a truck, but honestly-in my opinion-it's easier to drive and snappier than my dad's '02 Silverado. That said, if I'm doing 80 on the highway, I'd rather be in the Silverado.

You could get poly control arm bushings (I think Energy Suspension makes a kit for 2wd trucks), new shocks (I think Bilsteins aren't an option but KYB Gas-A-Justs are nice), but if after those simple mods you aren't happy, you pretty much gotta go the way jkeaton says.

 

I have a 2000 Quad cab 4x4 and I agree it handles very well.
The 92 2 wheel drive that I have is a project that I am working on. The 92 does not have anti-sway bar on front or rear. Which I find hard to believe.
Using the 92 frame and putting a 54 Dodge pickup cab on it. I don't want a belly scrapper that wallows around the turns and corners. With all the kits that are made for cars and other truck brands I figured someone would make a kit for a good truck. This will be used as a truck and maybe even pull my JEEP to the trails.

 

Not that I am trying to hijack but I want a stronger suspension. My 94 Dak sport with the short bed handles good enough but I need a stronger suspension. My 85 D50 can handle a 1/2 yard of wet gravel or dirt better than the 94 dak. If I put a yard in it the rear end scrapes on any incline! I know that shocks would help. I need to know what else I should add to keep the bed supported.

 

Load leveling shocks, helper springs or air bags, or all three.

 

Thank You