mattcrouch1502
Observer
If you are a Dodge/Dakota purest this might not be the build for you, just a warning.
Back story: June of 2014 my oldest son had saved some cash and we picked up a 2001 Dakota as a project for his first truck. He wanted to lift it and put bigger tires on it to go wheeling and camping. For a little while I drove the truck around to get a idea of what it was going to need to start with. I found what most Dakota owners find the frame was rotting out, after looking at the options on the market and the work involved we decided to replace the frame. Seeing that bigger tires and off-roading was the plan a solid axle swap made sense and now that the frame is junk the search began. I knew that 2005+ Superduty axles were going under the truck no matter what so I took a shot in the dark and bought a 2014 F250 2wd rolling chassis for $150 bucks. The 2wd frame rails are functionally the same as 4wd so with some different brackets and a front axle we would be good to go.
Build: We set the cab on the frame for the first time and its pretty crazy how well it sits on there, the frame cab mounts will need to be adjusted but that wont be a big deal. With the 2wd front suspension still on the frame we got the cab close to where it needs to be to get a idea of mounts. Then we swung the front axle under and got the mockup tires mounted and he is pretty happy with how it looks. The front axle is pushed forward of where it would normally be and the front fenders will be trimmed to right behind the headlight. For the bed we are looking a a 6.5' bed, something will be done to account for the difference in the back of the cab. The rear axle will be moved as needed but the final wheel base will be about 155" but that may change.
Back story: June of 2014 my oldest son had saved some cash and we picked up a 2001 Dakota as a project for his first truck. He wanted to lift it and put bigger tires on it to go wheeling and camping. For a little while I drove the truck around to get a idea of what it was going to need to start with. I found what most Dakota owners find the frame was rotting out, after looking at the options on the market and the work involved we decided to replace the frame. Seeing that bigger tires and off-roading was the plan a solid axle swap made sense and now that the frame is junk the search began. I knew that 2005+ Superduty axles were going under the truck no matter what so I took a shot in the dark and bought a 2014 F250 2wd rolling chassis for $150 bucks. The 2wd frame rails are functionally the same as 4wd so with some different brackets and a front axle we would be good to go.
Build: We set the cab on the frame for the first time and its pretty crazy how well it sits on there, the frame cab mounts will need to be adjusted but that wont be a big deal. With the 2wd front suspension still on the frame we got the cab close to where it needs to be to get a idea of mounts. Then we swung the front axle under and got the mockup tires mounted and he is pretty happy with how it looks. The front axle is pushed forward of where it would normally be and the front fenders will be trimmed to right behind the headlight. For the bed we are looking a a 6.5' bed, something will be done to account for the difference in the back of the cab. The rear axle will be moved as needed but the final wheel base will be about 155" but that may change.
