here is a link to the dust boots...

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ho-struts.html

that answers 1 question

Edit: this is news to me
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ring-seat.html

05-06 have no strut seat; apparently 07 + up do.

I am assuming that I need to put the strut seat back on too, it just seems like a tight fit over the new isolator under the new strut mount.

I fiberglassed the old one to see if I could bond it together. Otherwise I am going to have to hit up an auto store for it.

If I can get it to fit I will use it, if not, I wont.

My anger got the best of me tearing the strut down and i sawzalled the plastic peice thinking I did not need it again.

 

here is a better photo of what I am dealing with:



On the left is the old one from my truck with a spring isolator and the rubber piece all stock... on the right is the new one with just the rubber piece from Moog.

the fun part is that the Spring Isolator does not fit over the new strut mount with the new rubber piece.

I am thinking I am going to trim the rubber and put the plastic piece on it.

from what I understand the plastic piece helps the coil be more stable on the mount.

What do you guys think is the best solution??

 

I wouldn't trim anything off the new piece without calling moog or rock auto first. It may be that they sent the wrong part (I think someone said different model years had different configurations here). They may just tell you that they just trim them at the factory for the different years, or they may say to never do that. CALL MOOG!

 

I thought that too, but the really wierd thing is every site I find the moog parts on, say it fits from 05-09 dakotas... mine is an '07 and they added the support in late '06

I might give em a call.

 

It really looks to me like it will press over, but I'm here without the parts, and you have tried!

Try a little lube - with the right lube, just about anything can fit!

 

Alright, someone has to say it.....thats what she said.. : )

 

well, after way too much work, I finally got my leveling kit in:

Moog never got back to me, I first tried to re-build the strut without the spring ramp, and it sat really crooked and I didn't like it. So I went ahead an cut the shoulder off the rubber peice and installed it under the spring ramp.

and then with the help of my Brother-In-Law we got the strut in with the leveling kit on it.



Then I went to the other side of the truck and fought that bottom bolt for an hour. Basically running it in all the way, cleaning it off, adding penetrating oil/ brake fluid running it as far as I could back and cleaning the other side of it out. Over and Over and Over, till I coaxed it out.

After all the practice on the other-side, we had the new strut in and tidied up in about 15 min.

Here it is: the front sits about 1/2" lower than the back, and I am sure it will settle a bit yet. No word on how it rides, haven't really driven it yet.

 

I've had my dakotas front suspension apart twice. Once to lift it and once to lower it. Both times I had to remove the lower control ARM and bring it to my mechanic buddy to have the strut bolts pressed out. Easiest way in my opinion

 

That all depends on how easy your lower control arms are to get out and that you have a mechanic buddy with a shop nearby..Of which I didn't

 

Lower control ARM comes right out when u sawzal the bolts and have them pressed out too ha