Out of town for holiday try’n to help family w/ their 2wd 97 Dakota ex cab & need torque specs for 1)Upper bj, 2)Outer Sway bar link nuts & 3)Outer tie rod end links. Believe I found front spindle nut torque (170ft/lbs((?)) but having trouble finding the other specs & unfortunately my time in town is limited. If anyone knows the specs or maybe can post a a link that’s not a dead end... we’d sure appreciate it!

 

Moving this to 2nd Gen Dakota tech section for ya.

 

I posted this when I did my 2003. Hopefully they aren't too much different from your 97'

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ll-joints.html

Upper ball joint bolts (3) = 52-55 lbs
Upper ball joint stud (castle nut) = 60 lbs (exceed slightly to line up with cotter pin hole. Do not loosen)

Lower ball joint bolts (4) = 60 lbs
Lower ball joint castle stud (castle nut) = 94 lbs (exceed slightly to line up with cotter pin hole. Do not loosen)

Tie rod end stud = 60 lbs
Sway bar end link upper nut = 27 lbs (this seems too tight so I backed off)
Sway bar end link lower ball stud = 35 lbs

 

I was a front end guy for 20 years, worked on alot of those trucks and I don't think I ever got any of that with a torque wrench.