Hello, i just got a 1997 2wd V6 Dakota and the outside edge of the front tires have bad ware - is this caused by bad ball joints or just jacked up alignment?

thanks

Bad Aliment. Bad suspension parts can cause the bad aliment issue.

Have your torsion bars been cranked up? This raises the front end and in turn gives positive camber so the front tires ride on the outside edge. Sounds like you just need to do some adjustment.