You sure could :P But if i start towing my trailer and my camper around again i am going to want something better then the drums.

 

In a nutshell, only the 2003 durango front brakes apply. 2003-2004 Dakotas also work, but the durangos are slightly bigger.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...wd-dakota.html


Vehicle year: 2003
Vehicle Make: DODGE
Vehicle Model: DURANGO
Outside rotor diameter: 308mm (12.13")
Rotor height: 61.1mm
Rotor thickness: 28.1mm
===============
Vehicle year: 2003
Vehicle Make: DODGE
Vehicle Model: DAKOTA-4 WHEEL DRIVE
Outside rotor diameter: 308mm (12.13")
Rotor height: 62.9mm
Rotor thickness: 26mm
===========
Vehicle year: 2001
Vehicle Make: DODGE
Vehicle Model: DAKOTA-4 WHEEL DRIVE
Outside rotor diameter: 287mm (11.3")
Rotor height: 64mm
Rotor thickness: 24mm

 

thx for the info. looks like i have a list of parts to go get from the the junk yard.

 

quick question since i just found out that the 2003 dakota has rotors in the rear brakes would it be easier to just get an axle from the junk yard instead of ordering the conversion kit? Since i will being getting the steering knuckles and calipers for the front from the junk yard.

 

Swapping out the entire axle will likely be cheaper. Don't know if you can just grab the parts...... I *think* there was a thread about this in recent memory???

 

ok will go search the forum see if anyone swapped a 03 rear axle in to an 01

 

I swapped an 04 axle assembly into my 99 Dakota. It was almost a bolt-in swap except for the driveshaft flange and the e-brake cables. The flange was pulled from the 04 and added to my driveshaft, and I had to swap the e-brake cables because the ends are different disc vs. drum. I changed the cables entirely all the way to the pedal. I got a two-fer since I changed out a single leg 8.5 drum rear for an LSD 9.25 axle. Both were 3.55 gears so no changes to the PCM needed.

I also got the front brakes/calipers/spindles from the same donor truck, the fronts are direct bolt on, though I did change all the flex lines and ordered for the 04 just in case. I was initially worried about the proportioning valve since my 99 is rear ABS only and was disc/drum, but I left the original valve in place and can't feel any difference now with disc/disc except for much better stopping performance.

 

ok thank you for the heads up. i will pull the brakes cables with the axle.

 

well will all the info you guys gave me i got the brakes and knuckles. going to take pics clean them up and paint them plus take picks of the cleaning and undercoating of the truck. Now my other question is do you guys think it is worth take the gears from the front diff to rebuild mind cause mine has a clunk when i engage it thinking the internal parts are shot. or should i just buy those parts new ?

 

I expect some driveline slop in a 4x4. A 'clunk' when going into, or changing gears, really isn't unusual. Now, if it makes rude noises while under way.... that's an entirely different story.