2010 Dodge Dakota

[jscusmcvet]

Been away from this forum for a while, but here we go...

As my 2003 Tundra neared 300k miles and had several things to be done, I looked for another vehicle. I needed something for work, camper toting, work around the property and long trips.

Enter the 2010 Dodge Dakota. 4.7 V8, TRX package, which includes skid plates and a positraction rear end/ 135k miles when I bought it. Did not feel or seem like a truck. Sagged like a ******** when I added the camper.

So. To start I added helper springs in the rear, Monroe Heavy Duty shocks and Timbren SES bumpstops (These are my go to for load control on trucks) to make this work. Worried about weight? Let me tell you that at this point Dodge was phasing out the Dakota. The frame, entire drivetrain and brakes all match the 2010 Dodge 1500. Yes there are small differences in dimensions like width and length, but irrelevant to my purpose. I have done hundreds if not thousands of miles now with this set up and it handles great.

Since bought, I have added not just the rear suspension parts, but also rebuilt the entire front end including 1/2" spacers, which led to a full 1" lift. I then added some Cooper AT3's in a size 1" bigger than stock. 265/75/16

The truck should have come this way. There is extremely limited aftermarket support for the truck, so I am doing the best I can with it. This is how she sits at the moment

 

[jscusmcvet]

Seems to be toting the camper well at this stage of my build.

 

[jscusmcvet]

However, I find myself lusting after all kinds of other rigs, from 3/4 ton trucks to jeeps. Had to do some soul searching. Should I work on this due to the positives or should I chase another platform?

* I really like the drivetrain. The 4.7 mated to the 5 speed auto is awesome. With the 5th gear, since I drive like a ganny, I can eke out 21 or 22 on the highway... if I keep it at 65mph or lower.
* I like the size... super easy to drive and park.
* So far it has done everything I have asked, from carrying the camper to a couple 1200 mile round trip road trips. We have carried a roll of hay in the back, while toting a car trailer, stacked with 4 more round bales, 4 x 25 mile each way trips in one day.
* We live 3/4 of a mile in the woods and my "drive" may be more rough than most 4wd trails, so it is in the dirt regularly.

But...
I am missing something. I don't know... a "cool" factor, a "truck" feeling, something... so here are my plans... if I can work it all out.

• Front spacers for 2" total front lift. When I do this I am going to replace the struts. I am a fan of Monroe and since none of the "off road" oriented companies do anything for this truck, I got a set from Monroe. Had to go for a slightly earlier year, but will fit. This will allow me to assemble the struts and spacers and do the install all at once.
• 1" lift blocks in the back. The rear suspension changes I have made already, in order to carry the camper well, have already pushed the rear end up, but I want to be ready with the blocks after the front is done in case it is needed. I do not mind a stinkbug stance and prefer to have the truck level with the camper on.
• I have nice pics of the frame as it exists under the front bumper. Both I and my 14 year old weld. We are going to take the front bumper off and try to work out a hidden winch between the front frame rails. Hopefully be able to put the silly looking front bumper back on with access to the winch cut in. We'll see. That one is going to be a "design as you go" adventure.
• Goal is to mount 285/75/16 or 255/85/16 tires for increased clearance, with the winch to provide self recovery and to do work around our property.
• The Chrysler 9.25 rear axle is stout enough. I may drop a locker in... yet to be determined. I have done several lunchbox lockers in the past and find it a rather easy and enjoyable mod.

Other goal is for me to like it better. I am 56 and have been off roading/camping, etc my whole life and had some very cool rigs. I like the Dakota, just need to toughen it up a bit, I guess. I figure I am at a point in my life where even though this may be frivolous, I don't care

Stay tuned... hoping to get started this weekend, weather, parts arrival and time allowing.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Here are the rear suspension additions I have made

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Hellwig/HE72FR.html These are the helper springs. They stiffen up your suspension and ride all the time.

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Timbren/TDDR052.html This is the Timbren SES "bump stops". They only engage when you load your truck and it sinks about an inch.

Part Details These are the load bearing shocks. I like these a lot. Also gave about an inch of lift.

 

[Wyo37]

I enjoy builds with not so common platforms

 

[TwinStick]

Nice truck. If it does what you want, keep it and drive it into the ground.

We had a 2000 Dodge Dakota Quad cab, 360 v8, 3.92 gears. Great truck but 2k after the 3/36k mile warranty was up, transmission went out. All because of someone's decision to use a nylon bushing inside instead of the brass one they used to use, probably saved them $1 per truck but the customers paid for it in the end as usual. Also, rear driveshaft needed u-joints replaced at 28k. Never towed with it until we bought a tent trailer. Truck was rated to tow 6k, camper was 2800 lbs.