I decided to trade out my plastic tailgate cap for the spoiler. I want to do this primarily because I’d like to install a back-up camera. I prefer the downward looking camera that can also assist with hooking up a trailer. I’m not sure that the license plate cameras would work as well for that. And, I’d like to install the camera in the spoiler. Someone already did this with their Dakota. (https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...ml#post2915492) But, I’d like to copy an idea someone had on their Ram 1500 and see if the camera can be tucked inside of the spoiler. (http://www.*********.com/forums/showthread.php?t=305622)

Anyhow, cameras will be a project in the future.

Parts:

Mopar part # 82211686 (eBay seller: always_a_part_inc15)
Note: you could just buy part # 55112457AB, but that is just the spoiler without the mounting hardware. You would need to source your own rivnuts and bolts.


First step was to pull off the existing plastic cap. Underneath I found fasteners already in place. I guess this was setup at the factory to receive a spoiler. Test-fitting the spoiler showed that the fasteners were properly positioned to receive the spoiler. I just needed to clean the area (plenty of dirt washed up under the original cap, which was held on by double-sided tape) and then install the spoiler. The rivnuts and rivnut tool won’t be needed in this job.









Tape residue removed, washed, waxed, and ready for the new spoiler....






New spoiler installed...

 

Looks like DF doesn't like it when you add a web address to another forum. The asterisks should read "dodge talk" (all one word).

 

Looks good. I didnt realize they called those tail gate spoilers (nor did I realize they made them for 3rd gen Dakotas.)

 

Thanks.

For anyone that gets the just the plastic spoiler without any mounting hardware (from a junkyard, for example), I did a run through the hardware sections of my local Home Depot and Lowes. Neither have the bolts or rivnuts to match. Maybe Napa or some place like that will have them, but I haven't tried. That said, the OEM hardware is based on a M6-1.0 thread.