Good Idea....I had the welder/radiator owner over this morning, and he was very helpful. We talked about alot of the nuisance things I have not fitting (header, radiator, sway bar mounts, the shift rod) and he had ideas for fixing them all. He even offered to bring his car carrier over and bring the truck to his shop. Waiting on the damage (price), but if it's reasonable, I like the idea of one stop shopping to get all these nagging problems taking care of. Then it's off to paint, and start plumbing everything up.

 

One question....anyone know why the spring is on these rods? The collar at the bottom is held tight in place by a cinch nut, so I don't understand the purpose of the spring. I noticed later years have no spring, but the Gen I's seem to.

 

Ok so I hope I can get some help here. I realize im on the wrong forum. My dodge dakota is a 2002 v6 5speed. I was side swiped in February and since then my gear shift has been extremely spongy and its having hard time finding/locking into 1st, 3rd and 4th. It has gotten worse since and now everything seems it has shifter over slightly to the left. This caused 1st and 2nd to be nonexistent and thw position of 3rd is really 5th, etc. I took the gear shift out last night. There is torn, what looks like "shift tower" but I'm not sure thats whats it called. Its the piece that attatches to the tranny. Please help. I just need to know what the square like piece that's torn is. Thank you so very much for any help you can offer.

 

What transmission? 2wd or 4wd?

 

When I first glanced I thought it may be to keep the parts from rattling. But after looking closer, I dont see how its doing anything.
BTW on headers have you seen these? http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker-Headers/520/5803/10002/-1

 

You're correct, it is the shift tower. From the pictures I'm pretty sure you have a NV3500 transmission in your Dakota. You can get that from a dealer, a junk yard, and I'm pretty sure I've seen them on eBay. Just make sure you get one for a Dodge Dakota, some other versions of this transmission use a different tower.

 

I did see those in the past....I like the stainless ones I have. Based on my experience to date with manuf's lumping 90's in with 91's I'd bet you a plumb nickel those won't fit a 90....there was zero V8 option in 90...at least in the 91, since there was a 5.2L LA option, there might be a chance. But I've found so many differences between the 91 junker I'm scavenging in the yard and my 90, I'd be very surprised if they fit.

 

Robertmee, sorry to be hacking up your thread here, but wanted to let you know I just PM'd you about a possible source for factory Dakota fender flares.