just because they make such a product does not mean that it is the right way or the best way to fix a problem. Do they help? Yeah. but again Shock mount points ARE NOT meant to take that much weight.
They make cigarettes too... does that mean everyone should smoke them? same idea. better to add a leaf or 2 each side.
but yes, I agree that a good set of shocks are essential to vehicle handling.

 

look at the picture above. Payload, itd be fine. If, Everything is optimal.

 

Monroe has a set of shocks that have a built in airbag on them. They work like normal shocks but when you have a heavy load in the bed you air them up to level out your ride and add support. Don't try to buy coilovers. The mounts on the frame crossmember are not designed to support coil overs. A REAL mechanic would know that. Gabriel sells them as well as some Chinese knockoffs. There's also the expensive air ride load support setups. They require alot more work but they last a really long time. Check out this part number at summit gab-49311. Hope those help. They're super easy to install. And you can just air them up with a small air compressor or even a bike tire pump

 

Azboinmi those won't mount on a 94 Dakota unless I modify the mount.

 

Air bags in the shocks accomplish exactly the same thing as coil-over shocks do, the shocks support some of the weight, and you run into the exact same problem. The shock mounts were never designed to support weight.

 

Once again, the shock mounts are fine.

 

Once again nothing you posted supports what you claim is fact. Yeah brand new maybe the rear shock crossmember can support a set of coilovers shocks. But after 25 years on the road what makes you think they still can? Have you taken into account that the steel rusts and grows thinner? That with 20 plus years of flexing And vibration there's no way you're going to throw on a set of coil over shocks, load 2200lbs in the bed of the truck with no risk of the shocks ripping out of there mounting points. Yeah u can put coilovers on, your rides going to be stiff as hell.
as for the air bags shocks you're right I put the wrong number on there. I'm trying to find the right one again. But if you get the right shocks like that you only air them up as needed when hauling something and you only air them up enough to level the truck back out. Otherwise you let the air out and they run as normal. Only option if you want to do it right and not permanently change the way your truck rides and handles is an actual loadhelper airbag set up. A base setup that you air up with your home air compressor starts around 250 for a good one. How much do you haul stuff? How heavy? How often? Do you want to do it right? Or do it the cheap way and cut corners?

 

You could buy the new springs and go that way, but you are looking around $400.00 to do that.
If it was my truck, here is what I would do.
1. buy 2 spring center bolts. Rock auto shows them at $1.47 ea. (Dayton CB3850)
2. Buy new poly bushing kit. Rock auto shows $43.89. (Energy Suspension 52107 R for red or G for black)
3. And either way, you may or may not need new shackles. Rock auto $18.66 each. ( Dorman 722204)
4. Go to a local spring shop and buy 1 or 2 extra leafs for your existing springs. (prices vary based on location, size, etc.)

If you are not comfortable taking the spring apart yourself, most spring shops will do it for a minimal charge .....

If you decide to rebuild your existing springs or replace with new as described in your earlier post, either way will be much better then anything that is going to boost off of your shock mounts.... Those fixes are bandaids over a sore at best...

My last comment's are not aimed at onemore94dak, but at others who may read this post in the future..
1. You can add leafs and it will help with the squat of the truck, but, its going to ride rougher when there is no load in the truck. This is going to be true with any spring rate increase, including coilovers etc. Drive a 1/2 ton truck empty and then drive a 1 ton truck empty and you will see.....
2. As volaredon basically said earlier, you cant turn a dakota into a 1 ton truck!! The springs may keep it from sagging, but the rest of the truck is not up to the task.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out!!

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby Warford

look at the picture above. Payload, itd be fine. If, Everything is optimal.

"IF" is a big word......
According to allpar 1st. gen dakota's had a payload cap. of 1,250 to 2,550 lbs. Keep in mind, that is total, including driver, passengers, etc.
The OP's truck is a 94 v6 2wd. Only HE would know what options the truck came with, and that would be based off of the option sticker.

 

Once again, you're wrong.