I'm looking for a Dakota to replace my Ram - the 3rd gen ram seems to have the common rust issues of the inner and outer rockers and cab corners rusting/rotting out. Do the 3rd Gen Dakotas have the same issue? From the few I've looked at they don't seem to, just the usual rear box wheelwells rust issue like the Rams.

 

Radiator supports and bed wheel wells.

 

Went to the junkyard today and looked at a few 3rd Gen Dakota's - looking over their outer and inner rockers I noticed there's an external plastic cover on the outside and they seem to be designed better than the Rams to drain any water/moisture that would get in. One I looked at had no rust on the rockers and was a 2005. It did have rust on the front fender well at the lower rear behind the tire and at the right side rear wheel well. Didn't know about the radiator supports, seems like an odd place but good to know.