So I have a long-term goal of eventually taking the time once I get a new daily to transform my Quad Cab 3rd generation Dakota into a single cab. After the 2nd Gen Dakota dodge never offered a single cab option again for the remainder of the Dakota's days. They only offered the truck in Extended Cab long bed & Quad Cab short bed options.I personally adore the idea of a Short bed single cab 3rd gen. I know this is by far no easy task. I know that it would take quite a bit of time and resources. But nevertheless, I want to know what kinds of steps I need to take and if anyone has done this kind of task before. I know those limo makers cut the frames & body and weld the frame back together. I know I would need a new driveshaft but I think that's the only mechanical component I would need to get the truck running and driving again post-transformation. I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice or knows the steps of something like this. Shown below is a crude mock-up of the potential end result.

Any and all comments are welcome!

Mock-up of single cab 3rd gen Dakota

 

Extensive fabrication skills and tools. I don’t know of anyone ever doing something like that here.

 

Looks like a fun little project. I would expect you would require very good body shop skills, welding, time and patience. I would take the time and source a very clean quad or extended cab to to the cuts on so you can work on the cab at you're leisure. Interior could prove some difficulty depending on how the plastic panels lay out.

As for mechanical with a shortened frame, yes driveline is one thing, I would be sure to check your driveshaft angles after final assembly I would be surprised if the rear axle didn't have to be clocked a degree or two to bring the pinion up, brake lines and brake cable would need to be shortened. Wiring would probably be best just tied in a loop versus cutting it down. fuel lines would need shortened, possibly could be looped to use up excessive slack. Fuel tank could have to be resized or relocated depending on what it runs into under the cab.

 

At first I wondered why in the world you would want to do that to a perfectly good truck. Then I saw the proposal mock up and thought, "I can see that." Besides building the regular cab, you'll need to fabricate cab mounts. Cab and mounts will require fabrication skills. Shortening the frame will require welding and fabrication skills. You'll need a custom driveshaft of course.

I'm thinking that thing might be a blast, if not a hand full to drive. Especially if it has the 5.7 under the hood. After all, there's no replacement for displacement. Especially if you build it as a 4X4 with meaty tires.

If you REALLY get ambitious, maybe a Gen 3 RamCharger? Maybe Black with some red details.