Hey guys, I bought a Dakota a few months back been a great truck so far but could use a bit of a face lift. fenders and wheel wells are starting to rust out. Also the rear bumper is almost not even a bumper anymore.

I just found a 1990 Dakota, 4Cyl, 5 spd manual, Rwd selling for super cheap. Engine is out of it but the body is in great shape, zero dents or rust! Im looking to know what parts im able to change out between the two trucks. I would like to swap out fenders, rear bumper and the rear axle. Will they fit? My truck is a 1995, SLT 5.2L Automatic 4X4. Will they fit?

any help would be great. Thanks

 

1) The fenders will swap no problem.

2) The rear bumper will swap no problem.

3) Well, those rear axles ...

The 1990 is probably a 7.25" diff, and will be springs-under-axle, with 5 stud axles. The 1995 is a 8.25 diff, springs-over-axle, with 6 stud axles. You could coax it to fit, but not only will the truck sit ***-down, but one good stomp on the loud pedal and you may end up with a pretzel instead of a rear axle back there.

RwP

 

As Ralph noted, the fenders, and everything cab back would swap, body wise. The hood, front bumper, front lights, etc. will not.

As for the rear end, not sure if the 4cyl always meant 7.25 diff, but my 90 3.9 6 cyl had the 8.25 sure grip differential. So you need to get the owner of the 90 to snap a picture of the cover on the rear differential. Will be able to tell from that.