Any one got any tips, hints, advice, experience, etc. We have a friend who is wanting to solid axle his 2001 quad cab and I'm trying to throw together a price list. I know ORU has done a few, but they don't really want to talk much about them, except to tell you the charge $35,000 to do it...

Hey Sky,

I heard and saw pics of one guy that did this with his (i think) '98 Dakota, but i have no idea what his name was or anything.....
I belong to a mailing list (Dakota Mailing List, DML) and i'm pretty sure someone there knows his name.
I'll check into it for you, gimme a couple days, and i'll get back to you.

Well, i heard back, but from a second hand source the figure was $7000 and the guy lives in the Detroit area.
I'm assuming that was the price with parts and labour, but i'm not sure how much the guy did himself or whatever.

I'll keep updating the more info i get.

Not to sound harsh, but why would it be any different than any other SAS?

Chop off the old, weld on the new and wheel.

It's IFS so it's already has a crossover friendly steering box.

Just have to worry about which side the diff is on and go from there.

Originally posted by Patman
Not to sound harsh, but why would it be any different than any other SAS?

Chop off the old, weld on the new and wheel.

It's IFS so it's already has a crossover friendly steering box.

Just have to worry about which side the diff is on and go from there.

Actually the 2001 Dakotas have Rack and Pinion, which is no big deal, I'm just curious about spring choice for the correct amount of lift.

The is a guy in Florida that has done one. I have talked to him a little. I will find his email and post it for you when I find it.

Ok, i finally got some more info for you. I've got the link that describes the story and everything. As you'll see from reading through the page, they put F-250 axles under the '99 Dak.
I'm sure there are email addys listed on the site that can probably of further help.

http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/feature/99dakota/solidaxleswap/

I met a guy in Moab who had a Dakota with Early Bronco running gear. Dana 44 front azle with Ford radius arms, and a 9" rear.

It looked great and performed excellent.

geeze, I wish I could have one of those... I would, but hey, it is cheaper to just go with a ram when you dont care about the size... but damn they are nice

I've been thinkin about it for mine, maybe in a couple years, when i get another daily driver.
We'll see on cost though, it might be cheaper to just get a rig from a bone yard and build that crazy big.

Hey so I realize this stinkin thread is from way back in 01'!!! But I found it on a google search for something else and I think it would be a good idea to update some information on these.

I have done a SAS on my 97' I used an 86' J10 D44 front end and the same for a rear end. I would not recommend this rear end however because the diff is offset a little to the driver side and is too close to the stock fuel tank. I used Rubicon Express 4.5" lift coils and the upper buckets off of a TJ wrangler frame. The radius arms ended up looking alot like RE's Long arm kit which seem to work very well! I opted for the 3/8" wall lower links to help prevent bending. As for the rear I used another set of dakota leafs and added a couple to the rear for a little more stiffness and also did a rear shackle flip. Next year I plan to 4 link the rear and add coilovers.

Steering tech, 97-99 Dak have a saginaw box (the pitman arm however has a ball joint in it with the male end). Therefor you will need to buy a fullsize jeep drop arm or use a ford pitman. I went to Complete Offroad for my DOM steering, .25 wall 1ton TREs and with the J10 44 front the joints go in from the top side of the steer arms. So its a higher tie rod clearance than most.

00+ Dak and durangos are a rack and pinion steering and have a different pump. Most I have seen opt for the F250 80s steering box that bolts to the frame. It is very stout and seems to work well. If you are curious you can check out Dakota-Durango.com where I and others have build threads with lots of tech and lots of pics.

Sorry if I was not supposed to mention any of these sites above, if thats the case please PM or email me and I will remove them!