I'm looking for a replacement frame for my 1st generation Dakota. I got the idea (from the 1st gen forum) to look for a 2nd gen frame to use. I need to know the frame dimensions for the 2nd gen to get an idea of what is involved. I know that the cab mounts are wider on the 2nd gen and that the rear of the frame on the 2nd gen appears to be nearly identical, but that's pretty much all I know. I have a factory service manual for an '00 and a manual for a '93, but nothing for a '97-'99. My '93 manual has nice diagrams of frame dimensions. The reason I was thinking '97-'99s are different is because on car-part.com, the '97-'99 frames are not listed as interchangeable with the '00-'04 frames.

So, cliff note version: What changed frame-wise between 1999 and 2000? and-bonus question-can anyone tell me anything they know about putting a first gen cab and box on a 2nd gen frame?

Thank you

 

For one thing, they went from a steering box to rack and pinion.

 

On the 4x4 they went to rack and pinion.

In '00 they also changed to the C205F from the Dana 35.

 

Don't know when they switched to rack & pinion, but my '97 still has the steering box.

 

The 4x4 went to a rack and pinion in 2000.

 

Okay, thanks guys! I kind of want to convert to rack and pinion down the road. But there were no major dimensional changes in the frame were there? I think I'm going to have to go to a junkyard with a tape measure and a pen and notepad and really get an idea of how different second gen frames are from mine. I'm willing to do the work, but I have little fabrication ability and welding equipment, so all of that work has to be outsourced to friends...and I don't want to ask them to do major jobs for me. They'd be willing to do cab mounts and such, but I want to keep it simple as I can.