2003 quad cab with 4.7. Thought I had some road debris hanging from underside of truck, grabbed and pulled and it came right out. What I though was a random packing strap on closer inspection looks like a body grounding strap that was busted and hanging down. It was right under rear passenger door hanging down. I got under and I don't see where either end was fastened, anybody seen this or can verify there is one on their truck? Thanks!

 

It is a grounding strap.

You'll just have to look to see where it goes. You might be able to find the remains of the ends near where you pulled it out of.

 

Strange how all Dakota ground straps look like these but my ground straps are covered like regular wiring.

 

On my (admittedly different generation!) 1988 Dakota, the bed end is in the very middle (right/left) of the bed, at the very front. The wires run to the right and left from there. I've not had to mess with the cab ends, but a close inspection should show where the grounding straps go.

Or, find the same generation same cab Dakota in the boneyard and pull the grounding straps off of it, to replace these.

RwP

 

Pretty sure that grounds exhaust to chassis. I'll look under mine soon and let you know for sure.