what year dakota for 48 pilot-house?

[jnmaricic]

hello new to the forum. costumer just give me a 48 pilot house which has a good body but everthing else is questionable? what year dakota is best? thanks

[48Dodger]

Check out Bud's threads.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=13040

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=13524

1st Gen is 87-96, 2nd Gen 97-2004, Gen 3rd 2005 to present

Though there is debate as the begining of the second gen being 92-96.

Offically there are 3 generations, but read this from the disscussion section of Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Dakota

"No, there are 4 generations. The 87-91 only share the cab and bed with the 92-96. Suspension upgrades, a different engine family, completely different electronics, etc etc............certainly there aren't a bunch of seperate Gen 1 and Gen 2 truck clubs based off of those body styles for no reason. Also, any R/T owner will say his truck is a Gen 3, and the few people that own the latest body style agree they are Gen 4's. Theres an old saying...........if one person tells you that you're wrong, you can laugh and ignore them, but if 100 people say you are wrong, its time to correct yourself."

Devilbrad, owner operator of www.devilbrad.com an all late model Dodge Truck community and Dakota enthusiast since 1987.

They made the engine compartment bigger in 91 to fit the 5.2.

Seems a 92 or 93 would be a safe choice for a 48 Dodge.

48D

[Frank Elder]

92 or 93 will have the same bolt patterns on the wheels 5 lug, 4.5.

[48Dodger]

92 or 93 will have the same bolt patterns on the wheels 5 lug, 4.5.

Everything I've read has the 90 as the last year for the 5 bolt. Mine is a 92 and has 6. I'm sure a 5 bolt spindle swaps in to most years, just guessing.

Wikipedia:

"Also debuting in 1991 were the six bolt wheels (replacing the earlier five bolt wheels) based on Dodge's marketing attempting to differentiate the Dakota from competing manufacturers' trucks and the upcoming new Ram introduction."

48D

[Frank Elder]

Everything I've read has the 90 as the last year for the 5 bolt. Mine is a 92 and has 6. I'm sure a 5 bolt spindle swaps in to most years, just guessing.

Wikipedia:

"Also debuting in 1991 were the six bolt wheels (replacing the earlier five bolt wheels) based on Dodge's marketing attempting to differentiate the Dakota from competing manufacturers' trucks and the upcoming new Ram introduction."

48D

Quite right, my mistake.

[buds truck]

My 91 has 6 lug, but dodge (car) full face hubcaps snap right on the stock wheels and hide the lugs.

[jnmaricic]

thanks for the replys.

im thinking of using the truck as a everday driver. im a landscaper so thinking of using the truck to go see jobs to leave a lasting impression. who is going to forget the guy that pulled up driving a pilot house!

with that said im not thinking of restoring it as much as making it road reliable.

so i want to use the newest chassis i can?

thanks

[52FargoMan]

I'm using a '93 w/V6 and it is simple.

I know you can use any year you want, you just have to make it fit. I would suggest getting a later one because the rust sucks. Mine had the gas lines rusted, and the frame had holes in it.

[jnmaricic]

52 fargoman thinks for the info. i was thinking of using a 97 to 04.

you using the engine and trans on your truck.

[buds truck]

Understand that I believe beyond 89 or 90, the dakotas are fuel injected and you will have the wiring to contend with. I picked up a carbed motor with a 727 trans for simplicity and reliability. good luck, let me know if I can help you in any way. Bud

[Plymouthy Adams]

swap the entire wiring harness..simple as can be..only four wires were altered by myself putting the 93 Dakota Magnum engine, 4 speed OD and wiring harness into a Plymouth Suburban (wipers wires and that was because I relocated the motor)...it is absolutely the easiest harness to deal with..the components matched my every stock component with exception to the cigar lighter and the new location is beside the ash tray where it should have been in the first place...however one main thing to consider here..steering column needs go forward also..I used the column from the Plymouth Acclaim as the column head is the same...you get all the modern devices and controls at your finger tip..plus cruise control, intermittent wipers (using my aftermarket setup) 4 way flashers, coumn dimmer switch etc etc..

and as a note for those who think that a chevy tilt or ididit cloumn must be used..forget about it..the Dakota is the same length..no need to put up with the cheap chevy electrical components..you only need to relocate to brace a tad to install in about any vehicle..but again..I find the shorter column more than adequate for all purposes car or truck..the spline is that of the Borgeson joint..these are the sweestest install in 50 Chevy trucks by the way...