I noticed from reading on this forum that the 2003 has larger brakes than my 2001 which warp badly & quickly. What parts are required to change to the larger brakes? What size wheel is required? TIA

 

try here http://bigdakotabrakes.gotdns.com/brakes.html

 

It seems pretty straight forward. One question though, does the dakota and the 2001 durango have the same spindle & braking system?

 

yea the durango and dakota both have the same system up front as long as the brakes/rotors, and drivetrain (4x4 vs 2wd) match up,

and just to clarify for the idiot on the site, i measured the disks on my dads 03 dak before he got rid of it, they are the same size he claims the 03 durango got, but that should work just fine for you

 

i was hoping the durango caliper mounting tabs (not right terminology) were the same with the '03 so i would only need calipers, rotors, and pads. i will look for the new spindles locally. Thanks

 

np man happy to help

 

Do you know if any other vehicles use the same spindle/knuckle as the 2003? Salvage yards don't seem to have any near me. If our trucks use a Dana 44 front, i would imagine several other American trucks to too. Or a different setup from a Ford or Chevy that I can still use the stock 6 bolt 16" wheels.

 

no dana 44 axle in the front, these trucks DO NOT have a solid front axle, its is two axle half shafts and cv joints, and im not sure if the newer D's have the same setup or not, you would have to check,

 

The front axle is a C205F.

The 194 FIA axle was also used but I think they stayed in the 1998-2000 models.

 

but 98-02 all have the same knuckle to accomodate our less than adequate brakes right?
I went to Dodge yesterday and asked the parts guy about the swap and the warping. he said that the cheap local parts places have several grades and the cheap ones are exactly that. he suggested high quality rotors and there shouldn't be an issue. Does anyone have experience with the Ate slotted rotors from Tire Rack?