clean it up, then go over the spot with clear paint to keep the rust from coming back.

 

I dont know why everyone assumes it was hit. The Dakota's bumper will be proablly one of the first metal pieces to go. It ususally is on my trucks. The inside of the rear bumper has a horibble finish. If there is no damage you should be fully covered for a new bumper. After you get the new one, you could always rubber-line the inside with the spray rubber undercarriage liner from 3m. The bumper catches mudd and salt like its nobodies business on the inside.

 

You may have gotten a bad QC bumper. QC on these trucks have been flaky at best. My dakota has a complete underbody seal. you know, that black waxy spray on all the underbody components that protects againts the elements, also my truck has a complete wheel well sheilds int he front and rear wheel wells. I often take a look at other new dakotas for kicks at my dealership in ny when im visiting and I was supprised to see, alot of the trucks didnt have the sealer spray, and/or the rear sheilds. It wasnt by model level either, it was totally random.

Actually I posted some pics here a few months back with my larger tires installed, and I had pics of other dakotas to compare the size and look, and the dealer sample i used to compare didnt have the sealer. lol

Sooooo long story short, if your chrome is rusting, Id go back and get a new 1.

 

That is why everyone is assuming it was hit.