Swapping out interior and need advice...
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Swapping out interior and need advice...
Hello all
I am a newbie to the Dakota world. Just picked up a 2002 that I am rebuilding.
Working on the interior right now... which is a mess. The previous owners were painters and smokers and used it as a work truck. The seat, panels, and carpet all reek of smoke and are covered in paint splotches.
Finally to my question.
Found a very low mileage wreck with a completely intact interior... spotless, however it is a 1998. Can I swap the 1998 interior, all on it, into my 2002? I am talking about seats, centre console, trim, carpet, the works.
If that is doable, can I also swap out the door panels?
My truck is currently power nothing but the 1998 has power lock, windows and mirrors. I am confident I can get these options to work even if they do not directly connect to the 2002 harnesses.
I await your collective advice... Peter
2002 Dakota SXT
I am a newbie to the Dakota world. Just picked up a 2002 that I am rebuilding.
Working on the interior right now... which is a mess. The previous owners were painters and smokers and used it as a work truck. The seat, panels, and carpet all reek of smoke and are covered in paint splotches.
Finally to my question.
Found a very low mileage wreck with a completely intact interior... spotless, however it is a 1998. Can I swap the 1998 interior, all on it, into my 2002? I am talking about seats, centre console, trim, carpet, the works.
If that is doable, can I also swap out the door panels?
My truck is currently power nothing but the 1998 has power lock, windows and mirrors. I am confident I can get these options to work even if they do not directly connect to the 2002 harnesses.
I await your collective advice... Peter
2002 Dakota SXT
Record Breaker
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 20
From: Clermont, Florida
Welcome to the forum.
The dashboard, dash trim bezel, radio, climate control panel and glove box on your 2002 truck are all very different from a 1998. You will need to leave those in place. You can remove them and wash them in soap and water, maybe add some vinegar or ammonia to the soapy water to help cut the nicotine film and dirt off the dash pieces.
The trim panels, seats and console would very likely fit. Maybe measure the distances between the seat bolts on the two trucks to be sure before you buy the 98 interior parts. Your door sill covers and kick panels are probably the same sizes too. If it's a club cab I bet the rear seats and panels are the same, just use your measuring tape to be sure.
The problem here is the door panels. I doubt Dodge used a different size door on the 98 and I think the 98 door panel will probably fit on the 2002. The problem is how they attach to the door itself. The 98 door panel attaches to the door with the old school plastic "Christmas Tree" push in fasteners that clip to the back side of the panel and push into holes on the inside door surface. On an 02 the door panels have these right angle shaped plastic clips that are molded to the back side of the door panel and they slide down into rectangular shaped holes in the door itself. To remove the door panel on an 02 you pull up on the panel. To remove a door panel on a 98 you pull out away from the door. Unless you figure out a way to screw the old panel to the new door they may be hard or impossible to attach to the door. Another problem is the door lock and door latch are very different from a 98 to an 02. You might have to figure a way to rig the door latch pull rod to the door latch handle, it would seem to me that the two different door latch rods behind the door panels would probably be different lengths. It could probably be done but may take some creative bending on the rods. 98's have a separate up-and-down motion door lock on the upper left or right corner of the door, depending on which door you are looking at. The 02 has the new style sliding door lock just below the door latch pull handle. Now if you really wanted to make the swap, you could remove the door latch assemblies from the inside of the door cavities on the 98 and replace the door latch assemblies on the 02. That is if they fit and will swap one to the other. I guess you could remove one of each and compare sizes, bolt patterns, etc. When you do that though the dome light in the 02 may not work. On an 02 the light gets triggered by a switch that is an internal part of the door latch assembly. I believe the 98 has the old style pin switch in the door jamb, which is very different in its operation. You could however, install pin switches in the door jambs on the 02 and connect a wire from each pin switch to the Central Timer Module in the 02 and let it trigger the light that way, maybe even use the pin switches from the 98 if you can remove them without breaking them. You would need to find the door trigger input wire at the CTM, cut it and connect the pin switch so it will send a ground to the CTM dome light inputs to operate the dome light. I bet if you did that the "door ajar" light in the information center would still work too.
The other problem with switching the door panels is the electric door locks and windows. The windows you could make work but you would need to be sure the 98's power window regulators would bolt into the holes on the 02's doors and also that the 02's windows will still attach to the '98 regulators. Then you will need to figure out the operation of the 98's power window switches and configure those to either work in a reverse polarity configuration on their own or just use them to trigger ground to two relays wired in reverse polarity to operate the 98's window regulators in the 2002 door cavity. In order to add power windows form the 98 to the 02 you would need a Central Timer Module and all of the associated wiring from another 02 Dakota that has power windows and locks from the factory and have to install that in the 02 truck, then you would have to figure out how the power windows are wired in and out of the 02 CTM. Same for the electric door locks. You could however do the same thing with the door locks, and use the door panel door lock switch to switch ground to two relays and wire in a pair of aftermarket door lock actuators to the existing door lock assemblies on the 02. When you get right down to it, the factory door lock actuator is still just a plain old two-wire reverse polarity door lock motor with a connecting rod on it. Trying to add factory electric door locks from the 98 to the 02 would be sort of the same as the windows. The electrical systems are very different between the 98 to the 02. The speaker hole in a 98 is probably in the same spot on an 02, but you need to check to be sure.
Not saying the door panel thing can't be done but it would take a lot of work, a lot of electrical knowledge and a lot of money to do that. If it were me I would keep the original door panels, windows and locks and try to clean and deodorize them the best I could. Or maybe find a clean set of door panels like yours in a junk yard. Walmart used to sell a deodorizer spray called Ozium, it works pretty well at removing strong odors like smoke. The best way to use it is to spray the living crap out of the interior with it and let the truck sit overnight with the windows up and doors closed. Also you can wash the interior with baking soda and water solution to help neutralize the odors. If you call any car dealership in your area they might be able to refer you to a company that specializes in odor removal for used cars. Down in Tampa there is a company called Smoke Out that does odor removal. They do a very good job, maybe there is something similar where you live.
Cigarette smoke smells like **** and old stale smoke/nicotine smells even worse. You might do better with the carpet by buying a good clean carpet set at a junk yard or see if you can get a good price on a new carpet set at the Dodge dealer. Or maybe remove the carpet set you have, lay it out on a flat surface like a driveway and scrub with soap and water and vinegar or baking soda. Let it dry and then clean it again with a carpet cleaner or shampoo. Leave it out in the sun for a few days to really dry and get aired out. Maybe that would work to get rid of the smells and stains. If the 98 has the same color carpet as your 02 maybe whip out the measuring tape to be sure it would fit and buy the carpet out of the 98 too.
Once you get the truck cleaned out, electric windows and door locks are easy enough to add. You can buy a good aftermarket keyless entry system or buy a good quality alarm system and install aftermarket door lock actuators in the truck and use the keyless entry or alarm to control them. Any good car audio shop and also Best Buy sells actuators, probably 20 to 30 bucks apiece. Best Buy won't sell you a Viper alarm without installation though, so if you do the work yourself you will need to find a Viper dealer that will sell it without installation. It is against Viper's dealer policies to sell without professional installation and it will probably void their lifetime warranty if you do the work yourself. If you have a shop do the work, a basic alarm with two door lock actuators would probably cost between $200.00 to $350.00 depending on where you live. You could use a different keyless or alarm brand and be OK but I believe Viper is the best and most reliable. There are also aftermarket power window kits you can install for a lot less money and trouble than trying to figure out and rig a factory power window system. There is a company called SPAL that makes a great electric window kit. I have worked with them in the past and they work great. If you really wanted it most alarms have multiple output channels that can be configured to interface with the alarm system and a window module so you can raise and lower the windows from the alarm remote control.
This sounds to me like a very interesting and fun project. Good luck and let us know how it all turns out.
Jimmy
The dashboard, dash trim bezel, radio, climate control panel and glove box on your 2002 truck are all very different from a 1998. You will need to leave those in place. You can remove them and wash them in soap and water, maybe add some vinegar or ammonia to the soapy water to help cut the nicotine film and dirt off the dash pieces.
The trim panels, seats and console would very likely fit. Maybe measure the distances between the seat bolts on the two trucks to be sure before you buy the 98 interior parts. Your door sill covers and kick panels are probably the same sizes too. If it's a club cab I bet the rear seats and panels are the same, just use your measuring tape to be sure.
The problem here is the door panels. I doubt Dodge used a different size door on the 98 and I think the 98 door panel will probably fit on the 2002. The problem is how they attach to the door itself. The 98 door panel attaches to the door with the old school plastic "Christmas Tree" push in fasteners that clip to the back side of the panel and push into holes on the inside door surface. On an 02 the door panels have these right angle shaped plastic clips that are molded to the back side of the door panel and they slide down into rectangular shaped holes in the door itself. To remove the door panel on an 02 you pull up on the panel. To remove a door panel on a 98 you pull out away from the door. Unless you figure out a way to screw the old panel to the new door they may be hard or impossible to attach to the door. Another problem is the door lock and door latch are very different from a 98 to an 02. You might have to figure a way to rig the door latch pull rod to the door latch handle, it would seem to me that the two different door latch rods behind the door panels would probably be different lengths. It could probably be done but may take some creative bending on the rods. 98's have a separate up-and-down motion door lock on the upper left or right corner of the door, depending on which door you are looking at. The 02 has the new style sliding door lock just below the door latch pull handle. Now if you really wanted to make the swap, you could remove the door latch assemblies from the inside of the door cavities on the 98 and replace the door latch assemblies on the 02. That is if they fit and will swap one to the other. I guess you could remove one of each and compare sizes, bolt patterns, etc. When you do that though the dome light in the 02 may not work. On an 02 the light gets triggered by a switch that is an internal part of the door latch assembly. I believe the 98 has the old style pin switch in the door jamb, which is very different in its operation. You could however, install pin switches in the door jambs on the 02 and connect a wire from each pin switch to the Central Timer Module in the 02 and let it trigger the light that way, maybe even use the pin switches from the 98 if you can remove them without breaking them. You would need to find the door trigger input wire at the CTM, cut it and connect the pin switch so it will send a ground to the CTM dome light inputs to operate the dome light. I bet if you did that the "door ajar" light in the information center would still work too.
The other problem with switching the door panels is the electric door locks and windows. The windows you could make work but you would need to be sure the 98's power window regulators would bolt into the holes on the 02's doors and also that the 02's windows will still attach to the '98 regulators. Then you will need to figure out the operation of the 98's power window switches and configure those to either work in a reverse polarity configuration on their own or just use them to trigger ground to two relays wired in reverse polarity to operate the 98's window regulators in the 2002 door cavity. In order to add power windows form the 98 to the 02 you would need a Central Timer Module and all of the associated wiring from another 02 Dakota that has power windows and locks from the factory and have to install that in the 02 truck, then you would have to figure out how the power windows are wired in and out of the 02 CTM. Same for the electric door locks. You could however do the same thing with the door locks, and use the door panel door lock switch to switch ground to two relays and wire in a pair of aftermarket door lock actuators to the existing door lock assemblies on the 02. When you get right down to it, the factory door lock actuator is still just a plain old two-wire reverse polarity door lock motor with a connecting rod on it. Trying to add factory electric door locks from the 98 to the 02 would be sort of the same as the windows. The electrical systems are very different between the 98 to the 02. The speaker hole in a 98 is probably in the same spot on an 02, but you need to check to be sure.
Not saying the door panel thing can't be done but it would take a lot of work, a lot of electrical knowledge and a lot of money to do that. If it were me I would keep the original door panels, windows and locks and try to clean and deodorize them the best I could. Or maybe find a clean set of door panels like yours in a junk yard. Walmart used to sell a deodorizer spray called Ozium, it works pretty well at removing strong odors like smoke. The best way to use it is to spray the living crap out of the interior with it and let the truck sit overnight with the windows up and doors closed. Also you can wash the interior with baking soda and water solution to help neutralize the odors. If you call any car dealership in your area they might be able to refer you to a company that specializes in odor removal for used cars. Down in Tampa there is a company called Smoke Out that does odor removal. They do a very good job, maybe there is something similar where you live.
Cigarette smoke smells like **** and old stale smoke/nicotine smells even worse. You might do better with the carpet by buying a good clean carpet set at a junk yard or see if you can get a good price on a new carpet set at the Dodge dealer. Or maybe remove the carpet set you have, lay it out on a flat surface like a driveway and scrub with soap and water and vinegar or baking soda. Let it dry and then clean it again with a carpet cleaner or shampoo. Leave it out in the sun for a few days to really dry and get aired out. Maybe that would work to get rid of the smells and stains. If the 98 has the same color carpet as your 02 maybe whip out the measuring tape to be sure it would fit and buy the carpet out of the 98 too.
Once you get the truck cleaned out, electric windows and door locks are easy enough to add. You can buy a good aftermarket keyless entry system or buy a good quality alarm system and install aftermarket door lock actuators in the truck and use the keyless entry or alarm to control them. Any good car audio shop and also Best Buy sells actuators, probably 20 to 30 bucks apiece. Best Buy won't sell you a Viper alarm without installation though, so if you do the work yourself you will need to find a Viper dealer that will sell it without installation. It is against Viper's dealer policies to sell without professional installation and it will probably void their lifetime warranty if you do the work yourself. If you have a shop do the work, a basic alarm with two door lock actuators would probably cost between $200.00 to $350.00 depending on where you live. You could use a different keyless or alarm brand and be OK but I believe Viper is the best and most reliable. There are also aftermarket power window kits you can install for a lot less money and trouble than trying to figure out and rig a factory power window system. There is a company called SPAL that makes a great electric window kit. I have worked with them in the past and they work great. If you really wanted it most alarms have multiple output channels that can be configured to interface with the alarm system and a window module so you can raise and lower the windows from the alarm remote control.
This sounds to me like a very interesting and fun project. Good luck and let us know how it all turns out.
Jimmy
Last edited by 01SilverCC; Jun 18, 2011 at 02:40 PM. Reason: content and spelling
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
You may want to check out these: www.a1electric.com
They sell custom OEM like systems. I installed a complete front/rear power window system on a 4 door 95 VW Golf from them. Included the front door switches and the dash board rear switches just like the OEM VW setup, in fact you could not tell it was not OEM. Worked like a charm, only clue was the tab (included) to cover the crank gear when the crank lever is removed. Top quality professional kit. They also sell alarm/entry systems.
They sell custom OEM like systems. I installed a complete front/rear power window system on a 4 door 95 VW Golf from them. Included the front door switches and the dash board rear switches just like the OEM VW setup, in fact you could not tell it was not OEM. Worked like a charm, only clue was the tab (included) to cover the crank gear when the crank lever is removed. Top quality professional kit. They also sell alarm/entry systems.