I'm curious, and I figured you guys would know. Exactly how are the Dakota and the Durango different (besides the obvious truck and suv) and the same? I mean they look the same, but are they the same thing underneath?

I always thought they were the same with different body, but I wasn't sure.

AFAIK, depending on years, it's the same rolling chassis. Some years they were different though (2000, 2003?).

i think they are pretty much the same underneath, well at least until the bodystyle change in 04

Yep pretty much the same animal in the beginning. Later much different. The Durango was aimed at family types who didn't want to go the van route. Just cool enough for the guys to call it a truck but still functional enough for the family hauler. In my opinion the Durango was much better than the alternative Explorers and Blazers and all the problems with them. Not that the Durango's where perfect but whats a few ball joints here and there? Much better than exploding tires and the 70,000 mile differential replacement on the Explorers. Blazers.... where just ugly, so forget em.

I'd have to agree. I actually like the 2nd gen durango's...I'd probably buy one.

yes you are correct, my 02 durango and my dads 03 dakota are the SAME THING, (with the obvious difference of the body on top). All the underneath parts are the same (at least that i have encountered) same shocks, same axles, same everything as long as both are the same drive(2wd, or 4x4) and same engine (4.7,5.2,5.9, 3.9 was NOT available on the durango), over the years the rolling chasis had some changes, in 03 they both got4 wheel disc option and bigger front brakes, and in 01 the interiors changed (dashboard radio controls ect) but they both got the changes in the same year, good luck hunting and enjoy which ever you get, i like them both and so will you (as long as you get a v8)



EDIT:::: the durango was only available w/ an automatic transmission while the dakota was available w/ a 5 spd manual OR a 4 spd auto

I have a question regarding the differences as well...

Are the 4x4 durangos axle under spring like the 4x4 dakotas or axle over spring like the 2wds?

i believe the durango had the v6 only the first year it came out, which was 98

I think they do in the 2nd generation right?

the durango's updated alot sooner didnt they