I was just talking with my dealer and they were telling me the 4x4 frame on the daks is completely different from the 4x2 frame. Any mechanics who have worked on daks know this to be true? They basically were telling me the "tunnel" (whatever that is) is completely different and the frame is different from the 2wd...just wondering if any 4x4 owners who have access to the underside of their trucks could take a picture maybe of the transfer case and front axle could get me one so I can compare the 2. Thanks!

 

As far as I know the frames are the same. Both 4x2 and 4x4 's share mostly everything except for the transfer case and maybe a crossmember here or there. Both trucks have the same ride height. I hate to say it but most people at the dealership don't know what they are talking about. They are only interested in selling you something. I had a salesman at a chevy dealership tell me that chevy stopped making extended cab long bed trucks. Boy what a dope he was. Remember vehicles are mass produced so you know that different vehicles share platforms to cut costs.

 

Odds are it would be far more expensive for them to manufacture the 4x2 with a less beefed up frame (or any difference really) than it would be for them to use one frame for all models (remember economies of scale here). I'm going to guess they guy who told you that has no clue what the hell he's talking about... if I ever find the stupid memory stick duo to memory stick adapter I need to get pics off my camera (mine broke) I'll try and snap a pic for you...

 

thanks guys, I had a feeling the guy didn't know what he was talking about...because...yeah I've asked him questions before and had him be wrong, but that's who they gave me to talk to. Yeah I just want to see what it looks like underneath to see if there's a big difference or how the setup is, and then compare it to mine. thanks!

 

the tunnel is the hump down the middle of our trucks and im sure both ar the same

 

ya, im sure they are the same. my 4x2 even has the hole in the spendle where the front shaft goes

 

I'm guessing the tunnel may be different but I'm also guessing the tunnel is sheet metal and isn't part of the frame proper. The best way to do anything like this is to call the parts department. Everything has a part number. If the numbers match, they are the same. Period. No questions asked. If they are different then you get to shades of gray. 123 ~ abc, the difference may be there is an extra hole drilled in it somewhere.

On a side note, I had a '92 Mazda B2600i 4x2. I added a winch to it and called the parts department on it. It had the same number as the 4x4.

 

Im not sure if it qualifys for the new dakotas but on the dakotas like mine the 4x2 has a crossmember under the gas tank (on quadcabs), and the 4x4 does not have it. Like I said im not sure if this is the same for the new dakotas.

 

no, I did not see a crossmember under my gas tank when I was inspecting the underside of my truck.