I found one from a 2000 Durango for a good price. Will it work? We need a post/'s on parts interchangability between truck years and body styles!!!
Thanks,
Chris

 

I don't think so. The Dakota's rear shocks mounted to the axle on brackets near the middle of each axle tube. The Durango's rear shocks mounted to the leaf spring plate. Unless the Durango's axle already has the lower shock brackets that the Dakota uses, you'll either have to have them welded on, or you'll need to find an axle out of a Dakota for a bolt-in swap.

 

JasonA is right. Also you will need to make sure it mounts the same. Most Durangos ive seen use the spring under mounts. Do the 97's use a sensor on the rear diff for ABS/spedometer? If they dont, I would think you could get any Dakota rear to work. I also had the chance to pick up a 9.25 out of a Durango, but with no welder available I cant put it in my 99 4x4.

 

I think all Durangos used slung-under springs, like the 2WD Dakotas (though the mounting plate and shock configuration is still different). All 4x4 Dakotas that I've seen had slung-over springs. I'm not even sure of the axle widths are the same, though I'd think they'd at least be close.