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03 Dakota "The Hustler"

Domer

Yup.. it's Broken...
Joined
May 26, 2020
Member Number
1489
Messages
285
Loc
Idaho
Decided to start a build thread for my 03 Dodge Dakota. Story behind this truck, I had a decent Jeep XJ with a 4.7 stroker. It didn't fit 2 car seats very well. I found this truck at the end of my street for cheap with 107k miles. I have been building it for the last 2 years. Decided there is alot of tech that should be uploaded somewhere, since social media its quickly lost.
Quick overview:
2003 Dodge Dakota quad cab
4.7 V8, NV3500 Manual, 233/241 Doubler, 5.38's, Detroit lockers, 09 SD Axles (D60/Sterling 10.5), 40x13.5x17.
I'm going to dump alot of pictures as the truck is running and driving. Feel free to ask questions.

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The dakota is pretty easy to convert over to Booster and M\C. This is a 7" Dual diapraghm, with Corvette Disc/Disc mastercylinder. In the end i went with Hydroboost. I used Jeep XJ coil springs in the this part of the build. they were 6" lift.
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I did the weld on High steer arms. Nice quality, but a waste of my time and money. they dont work very well with the Dakota setup if you are trying to keep it low. I pushed the Engine back 1.5", and the axle forward about 8". still not quite how i want it, but it works.

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Ride height approximation at the time. I am using the Ruff Stuff SD60 Radius Arm kit.
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Here is my doubler setup. its the factory np233 (electric shift 231). I cut it up and used a kit from FST. 2nd case is a 2012 Jeep JK NP241. my original plan was to use this till i got a rubicon case. but the gear set i have now i dont like, and am actively trying to locate an NP205 to put in.
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A few random pictures. Ruff Stuff diff covers, Jeep WJ steering box(more on that later), and the rear support plate for my doublers.
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Steering setup, I used the Ruff Stuff 7/8" steering kit. 1.5x.25 tube. The pitman arm i built myself.
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This is the last picture from Version 1. At this point i stepped away for 2 months for work, came back to it, and changed it alot.
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I came back to it, and decided i didnt like my work, and that i could do better. And that the stock frame required to many sacrifices. I was adding to and reinforcing it everywhere. so away it went.

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New frame is 2x3x.188. reinforces with 1\8" plate. And tied together later on with 3/8". At this point I also converted over to Coilovers. Fox 14"x2.5. The red springs are 350/500. it was way too much!!
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New Engine Crossmember and Motor Mounts. Factory ones were huge, and the front diff hit them at compression. And the Coilover hoops, with 360* tabs.
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First time out of the shop on its own weight. it was way too tall!
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14" 250lb over 16" 350lb springs. much better. this is what i am currently running.
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factory Dakota radiator hung down way too low. so i went with a thicker shorter radiator with 16" electric fan. This one is a triple pass from Eastwood.
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Some flex pictures when i cut the fenders. (I had to cut alot). and the name badge i made for it. and the winch bedplate is 3\8". and ties the front frame rails together.
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Here is more on the rear suspension. Chevy 63's, and at this point i had 4" shackles. ( i am now running 6" shackles). shocks are FOA 12"x2.5". (they were given to me)
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Transfer case shifters. Speedway shifters for a circle track car. $60. comes with linkages. i am only using 2 at the moment.
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More random photos. Tool box with battery. thats an 8D AGM battery. (because i already had them). and the new Smittybilt 12k comp series winch. A/C condensor, and -10 cooler for power steering.
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building the steering tubes. These Hi steer arms sucked on this truck. everything hit. i ended up putting about a 20* bend in the tierod to clear the diff cover and ram. and the drag link has about 10* bend to clear the harmonic balancer at full stuff.
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At this point i got my lift installed in my driveway. life is so much easier now!!
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Some rear suspension droop and undercarriage shots
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Initial steering setup, Jeep WJ steering box, factory modified pump, cooler, and 1 gallon reservoir.. i rebuilt the steering box, and pump, but something didnt work right.. ill get to more on that further in.
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One of my favorite parts of the build, its setup with integrated mounts for a flat tow bar. So far we have flat towed it 3000 miles behind out 36ft motorhome and it pulls amazing.
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