Part fitting
 

I have a 98 dodge Dakota SLT 5.2 V8 4x4 and need to replace the knuckle/spindle on the driver side front. Can I use parts off a 2000 Durango 4x4 SLT V8?

Yes you can

NO you can not the spindles are different.

98 different
99 different
2000 -2002 different
2003 -2004 different
The Durango had different spindle changes from the Dakota but the same just different years.

To tell look at what years each brake pad covers for each Dakota and Durango.

Good used spindles are hard to find and most junkyards dont understand the spindle changes made each year for the Dakota and Durango.

Dodge made a number of spindle changes between 98 to 2004 to improve the front brakes.

Didn't see the years my fault

What they said. Interchange does not work well for the dak/dur platform in the front suspension. So many changes between the 2 bodies then changing on a whim pretty much every 2 years.

Best thing you can do, as long as you have 16" or larger wheels, is convert both front spindles to 2003/2004.

magnethead Why 2003 to 2004?

Ive been thinking of converting to the 1999 or 2000 spindles and upgrading to the better calipers and pads the 98 calipers suck.

So the 2003 to 2004 need a 16" rim didn't know that.

Top pad is a 98 bottom is a 2000 pad in each Pic.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/dodgefo...ea1e0b6e36.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/dodgefo...c4d683a556.jpg

2003 and 2004 are a 2 piston caliper instead of single piston, and a rotor that is 1" larger diameter IIRC. Ball joints and tie rod ends are the same - just a matter of removing and bolting on. Some people say the banjo is different, but my 01 to 03 swap was same banjo bolt. 00 and earlier might be a different banjo.

I think if my Dakota was a 2000 the 2003 brake swap would work but a 98 to a 2003 not.

Thanks