Just wondering if anyone knows if I can get an aftermarket rear bumper somewhere for my dakota. Mine is rusting, which must be a common problem, cause all the junk yards are out around where I live. Thought it would be wise to go new, so if anyone knows, please post.

 

Try Ebay. There are some aftermarket companies that produce bumpers and roll pans for our trucks. As far as off the top of my head I can't rattle off any names. But I know they are available.

 

Try an indipendant body shop. NOT one at a dealer, they will probably only push MOPAR parts.

 

Mine is rusted as well, and, like you, I've seen that this must be a common problem, since all the others I see have the same rust.
Makeitmopar.com has it for $329 (from dealer it is $465).
(I got in a accident 2 weeks ago, nothing major, minor front end damage... front bumper had to be replaced, which I thought to myself "too bad my rear bumper wasn't smashed into, thats the one that needs to be replaced!")
Let us know if you find a place with a more decent-price. As far as Ebay, I think I looked on there a few months ago, and they didn't have any chrome rear bumpers for our trucks, only chrome front bumpers.