Dakota Clip

[slick]

Has anybody ever taken the measurements to put a Dodge Dakota clip under a swepty? I have a Dakota that I bought to put my panel truck on, but I'm debating doing it or not. I already put the Volare clip under the panel and now I'm thinking that it's already there why not use it. So, basically I have a dakota frame just sitting there. I haven't had time to measure the 2 trucks, but the info that I've gathered here and there it seems like it might work.

[fosh69]

What year? I think those are boxed frames from the front to under the cab? It would be a cool swap if it fits.

[slick]

The one I have is a 96. Most of the "clips" I've seen they run the original frame rails into the "boxed" part of the dakota clip. Seems like it would work if the track width is close.

[OregonDodgeboy]

Do you have the whole frame or just a front section? I've wondered about a Dakota frame swap, but since they are only 1/2 tons, I've all but ruled it out.

[slick]

I have the entire frame...

[Hotfoot]

Some Dakota specs available
http://www.dakota-truck.net/infosheet.html
I put my Dakota beside my 71 Long bed. about a 2" difference in wheel base.

Standard Dimensions as published by Dodge (1991 - 1996) on std tires.
Pre-'91 have slightly smaller dimension as nose was extended for Magnum
Engines.


Wheelbase Length Width Height
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regular Short 112" 189.1" 69.4 65.0"

Regular Long 124" 207.5" 69.4" 65.0"

Club Cab 131" 208.1" 69.4 65.6"

[slick]

How does the width look? I think it's pretty close?

[fosh69]

I would think if you had a long wb dakota, you could cut it to 114" and set everything on it, providing the width is close. If you have a short wb dakota, I'd stuff a healthy 360 in there and head down to SIR.

[soopernaut]

The wheelbases look to be within 2-3 inches of various Sweptlines so you might be able to use the entire frame depending on what you have. You would have to compare the frames and track width and see if it is feasable. I would like to see someone figure out if this can be done because I've heard people wonder on several occasions.

[john]

I am in need of a 5 speed transmission for a '95 Dakota V-6. Pretty hard to find one that isn't junk. John (903) 372-9742

[slick]

I have a 5 speed, but the truck was a 4 cylinder. I would think you could lengthen the wheelbase with a 4 link in the rear or moving the springs back a little maybe...

[john]

Slick, I'm not versed in transmission interchanges for the Dakota's but I don't think the 4 banger tranny will work on my kids 95 V-6 Dakota. Not looking to make any mods to his truck - just a straight r and r. Tnx, John

[slick]

no prob. I don't think they interchange either...

[OregonDodgeboy]

The wheelbases look to be within 2-3 inches of various Sweptlines so you might be able to use the entire frame depending on what you have. You would have to compare the frames and track width and see if it is feasable. I would like to see someone figure out if this can be done because I've heard people wonder on several occasions.

The only issue I see with it is in the payload and towing departments. I don't have any hard facts for this, but I don't think the Dakota was intended as anything more than a "heavy half" capacity truck. Is the frame an open "C" or is it all boxed?

[soopernaut]

The wheelbases look to be within 2-3 inches of various Sweptlines so you might be able to use the entire frame depending on what you have. You would have to compare the frames and track width and see if it is feasable. I would like to see someone figure out if this can be done because I've heard people wonder on several occasions.

The only issue I see with it is in the payload and towing departments. I don't have any hard facts for this, but I don't think the Dakota was intended as anything more than a "heavy half" capacity truck. Is the frame an open "C" or is it all boxed?

Someone contemplating doing this probably isn't looking to do heavy hauling or towing but you might be surprised by what a Dakota can do, at least the 97 and up with a V8.

[MountainMoparRobin]

The wheelbases look to be within 2-3 inches of various Sweptlines so you might be able to use the entire frame depending on what you have. You would have to compare the frames and track width and see if it is feasable. I would like to see someone figure out if this can be done because I've heard people wonder on several occasions.

The only issue I see with it is in the payload and towing departments. I don't have any hard facts for this, but I don't think the Dakota was intended as anything more than a "heavy half" capacity truck. Is the frame an open "C" or is it all boxed?

Someone contemplating doing this probably isn't looking to do heavy hauling or towing but you might be surprised by what a Dakota can do, at least the 97 and up with a V8.

My neighbor has a Dakota with 5.2 pulls a 18 ft camper up and down the mountains, they are 1/2 tons after all, and so are the swepty's, they just for some reason leave a little doubt, but some on this forum have used them to pull sweptlines on car trailers also

[1964ShortyD100]

I towed my Swepty 65 miles behind a 5.2 Dakota when I brought it home.
It held up just fine. Don't under estimate them.

[Daddiojoe]

Hotfoot was quoting cab width. Track width is around 61" or so. Way too skinny for a D100.


Joe

[Kaegi]

Hotfoot was quoting cab width. Track width is around 61" or so. Way too skinny for a D100.


Joe

that is what I would have guessed. too skinny. sweptys are a full size truck. dakotas are a mid size truck. way different. th chassis swap perfectly into pre 57 Dodge trucks as they were skinnny too.

[CSSman]

Hotfoot was quoting cab width. Track width is around 61" or so. Way too skinny for a D100.


Joe

that is what I would have guessed. too skinny. sweptys are a full size truck. dakotas are a mid size truck. way different. th chassis swap perfectly into pre 57 Dodge trucks as they were skinnny too.

actually the track width is 61" with the Dakota rims which are offset in. When using a standard offset wheel the track width is almost dead on. And Dakotas have a mongo frame. No worries there. They are one sturdy unit. The Dakota frames are not little like S10 and Rangers. They are almost like a full size with a downsized body on top.