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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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9/06/2010
12:16:18
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 Subject: Cab Mounts
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Message:
I have a 1994 Dakota SLT extended cab 4x4 with cab mounts that have disintegrated. I called my local dealer and they said a new set would cost me $572. That seemed a little ridiculous, so I looked for aftermarket sets. Energy Suspension sells a kit (5.4106) that several sites advertised for both standard and extended cabs, but it only contains six bushings, not the eight required for my truck. Also, the kit assumes that you can reuse your stock steel washers and bolts. In my case, they've rusted away to nothing, so I had to scour the local salvage yards to find some. I had to also order one of Energy Suspension's generic kits (9.4102) to use for the additional two mounts on my truck. The height turned out to be correct, but I'll need to drill out the center hole a little bit.
I'm sure I'm not the first guy to have to replace these. Does anyone have any advice before I get any further into this project? I already got seven of the eight stock bolts out, but I haven't attempted to lift the cab yet. Of course, one of them broke off in the body, so I'm planning on spending some quality time with a drill since I can't see any way to access the nuts from the top. Any tips would be appreciated.
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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9/08/2010
12:04:51
| RE: Cab Mounts
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Message:
As with installing a body lift, you should do one side at a time to help maintain alignment with the frame. Not a requirement, just makes it easier when aligning the holes. Good luck!
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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9/14/2010
22:33:47
|  RE: Cab Mounts
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Message:
I appreciate the tip.
So far this is going about like I thought it would. Two of the bolts have broken off in the cab, three of them were completely rusted to the sleeves and captive on the frame (had to remove with the Sawzall universal wrench), and the one on the DS front broke the nut loose so the entire assembly is turning without loosening. I can only hope that other trucks don't use this same approach, because it must have been designed by someone completely unfamiliar with the concept of rust. I don't think I can reach either of the front mounts with the reciprocating saw, so I'm trying to figure out my next move. I may have to expand my options to include a cutting torch if I can't find another way.
I was also surprised to find out that Dodge decided to use M12x1.75 metric bolts where 1/2-13's would have been just fine.
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Marty
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2010
20:31:49
| RE: Cab Mounts
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Message:
No rust on my Florida bought/owned '99 Dakota Sport excab 4x4,will be doing kinda what your doing,only thing is I'm putting a 3" body lift so I can fit 33x12.5x15 tires.Good luck.
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calikota
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2010
10:06:05
| RE: Cab Mounts
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Just an idea and I think it would work, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
If you'd like to give your truck a body lift, buy the kit. It comes with all that you need and I've seen them for less than $572.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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12/05/2010
11:36:13
| RE: Cab Mounts
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Message:
That would be great if I could find a body lift kit that includes new body mount components, but every one I've seen includes only spacers and longer bolts. They all assume that you can reuse the factory mounts, which in my case were mostly disintegrated.
As a progress update, I found that if you remove the front bumper, you can get to the front two mounts more easily, which I had to do to cut them off with a torch. This was only slightly more fun than having to drill out the factory spot welds that held the cage in place over the center rear mount on the driver side. I had to fabricate new threaded plates to replace three of the original pieces that rusted to the broken bolts. The Energy Suspension components worked well, but I still had to spend more time than I would have liked in the local salvage yard to find replacements for the original steel pieces.
On the bright side, it's definitely more confidence-inspiring to be able to hit the brakes or turn the truck without feeling the cab move on the frame, but it took an unreasonable amount of work to get back to that point. Dodge could have done a much better job with this.
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lucas
Dodge Dakota
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6/06/2015
10:49:59
| RE: Cab Mounts
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Message:
i have a 2001 dodge dakota that I'm putting a 3in body lift on. the
first cab mount bolt i go to take off snaps, does anyone know the
best way to get it out?
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