Hello,

I currently have a 2008 dodge Dakota v8 4x4. I was using it as my work truck for many years and have kept it in top running shape. Now that i have a different career i wanted to turn it into a camping / trail truck. My issue im encountering is the front coil overs are a pain to find aftermarket support. Im looking at a 2 inch lift, i can find spacers no problem but i would really like to use a whole new system maybe with external reservoirs etc.

Here is my main question. As i am not mechanically savvy this will probably be butchered or sound like a stupid question. So The issue i have been noticing is the Dakota front coilovers have a bottom mount that is an A-Arm instead of the typical eyelet design. Now after weeks of looking i have noticed Ram 1500s use the same front suspension design right down to the A-Arm mount. So i made a trip down to my local junk yard and physically measured the A-Arm mounts on both a 3rd gen Dakota and the ram. It was an identical fitting, but the ram looked way more heavy duty.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...434478&jsn=434 - Dakota Strut

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...440137&jsn=503 - Ram 1500 Strut

Now i have asked this to many people and they always tell me. Well the website says it for a Ram not a Dakota. that is obvious my question really is will it work? and if it wont work why not? Knowing the bottom A-arm mounts are the same i dont see why it wouldnt but again im not a mechanic.

Thank in advance, and sorry for sounding uneducated on the matter.

 

You'll need these. But the top hat holes may not line up so some rotating or drilling of new holes may be required. Also, the spring rates on the Rams are way higher so the Dakota will be stiff as a board. You'll need to weigh the corners and subtract unsprung weight to get the proper spring rates. Valving may also be a bit stiff for the dakotas. Not to mention the rest of your suspension components will suffer with such a bada** coilover.

upper arms will barely fit around them and your droop travel will be about 1/2" before the upper ball joint hits the coil. Tie rods also cant handle those angles. You said your not too mechanically inclined so this may be beyond your typical "driveway install".

short answer is yes. They bolt up.

 

I dug into this once looking for a strut with better rebound control and found there wasn't anything that could be directly used without mods. The Ram strut might work just not the one you were looking at. I would start with the Rancho RS999808. It is a little shorter than the stock Ram strut so it may be a good starting point. To compare the stock Dakota strut is 13.56 inches compressed versus the Ram at 15.4 compressed. The Rancho I listed is only 14.6 inches compressed. Get a machine shop to mill the extra inch off the top and re-thread it and you may have a perfect match. The only question left is where the spring perch is located in relation to the Dakota. You may also end up needing a different spring to compensate and am thinking the Ram spring would be WAY to big.

Of course the 2" spacer is still a solid choice.

 

Thank you guys for all the great information.
I can kinda understand why it "Wont" fit. Its not necessarily that it wont fit, but it wont be optimal and pretty much a waste of money. That is unless i wana go full custom.

I sow "Rodslinger" mention spacers. I see those on the internet but will i get more clearance from those or are they more for just aesthetics.

Thanks again for the information!

 

Coil spring spacers will lift the front for more clearance. Don't go over 2" unless you really want to burn through front end parts.