Dakota frontend - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rjs53 · 03-05-2010, 01:37 PM

I know the s10 is the way to go for frame swaps but what about a dakota? they seem to be a little wider has anyone tried it?

Thadious · 03-05-2010, 01:49 PM

Check the wheel base and frame width, shouldn't be too much of an issue unless you're slamming the cab down tight to it. I know the S10 frames show about 1/2"-1" clearance on each side between the framerails and the notch in the cab rear. You may also find that having the space to put body mounts might be an issue if the Dakota ones are any wider than the S10.

Good luck,
Ted.

blackdiesel · 03-05-2010, 02:46 PM

Industrail chassis made a weld in crossmember to put dakota a-arms on, that fit the TF trucks. Its is what is under dad's truck and we like it very well, but I think they went out of biusness.

solidaxel · 03-06-2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

Industrail chassis made a weld in crossmember to put dakota a-arms on, that fit the TF trucks. Its is what is under dad's truck and we like it very well, but I think they went out of biusness.

sTEVE IS DOING WELL AND STILL IN BUSINESS IN pHOENIX, (sorry)
Industrialchassisinc.com
Here is my 53 with one of his crossmembers

blackdiesel · 03-06-2010, 12:20 AM

That's great that he's still in business. I had heard that he wasn't. I'm glad that I wrong. thank you

rjs53 · 03-06-2010, 01:11 AM

thanks for the info everyone, thought about the dakota just because of the width, thought it might be easier with exhaust and motor placement along with the fact that the s10 needs wheel spacers and the dakota is pretty plentifull. Just thinking outside the box

Dan Bowles · 03-06-2010, 08:07 AM

A guy on the HAMB, SuperDan, has done a Dakota frame swap on an AD here in Michigan. I've seen it and sat in it, not driven it, though. Turned out great. The steering isn't in the way so he used his whole radiator support and dropped it between the rails. Same style as the S10 using the body/bed mounts and flipping them around where you need. I don't think he changed wheel base and ran a Camaro rear end. IIRC he chopped off about 6" of extra frame length out back. He ran an early F100 gas tank out the driver's side like a '47 Chevy would have out the passenger's side. He put a 350/350, used the Dakota column, and the Dakota seat. He had it body swapped and running in 3 days (he's got a well equipped shop).

Dan Bowles · 03-06-2010, 08:09 AM

If you get a later 6 lug Dakota, the wheels are Dodge ONLY. You can change it to 5 lugs up front (Ford/Dodge pattern) by just putting old rotors on it.

I started to do this swap but got SuperDan's S10 frame he had already put motor and trans mounts in for a good price and knew a guy needing the Dakota frame, so...

I bought my Dakota frame for $75 already stripped with gas tank but no rear end. You can hook up the GM PS pump to the Mopar PS rack if needed with a pressure reducer.

rjs53 · 03-06-2010, 11:18 AM

Im thinking of using just the front clip off the dakota and i have an 8.2 from my chevelle, I may go with a control arm type suspension, havent made up my mind yet.

PRWFAB · 03-10-2010, 10:54 PM

Im sitting my 54 panel on a 92 Dakota 4x4 frame . I did a lot of measuring before I bought the wreaked Dakota . should be real close ,but Im not sitting mine tight on the frame. Soon as the snow is done here in Pa I got a few things to prep in my garage and I will start on mine. the body has been on boards since fall . cant wait to get on it . With a limited income I striped everything that unbolted of the Dakota and plan on using it . and yes the 6 lug wheels bite very limited on after market . Good Luck we will have to compare notes as we go

rjs53 · 03-10-2010, 11:14 PM

can't wait to see it. I have been to a salvage yard and measured best i could from baking plate to backing plate looks like 55"on a 96 2x. my plans are the same use everything off the donor frame, might even use the rearend if it's good. it really depends on the price of the dakota frame, i can get s10's all day for $100 to $150 striped to the frame but i like the idea of rack and pinion and the wider frame for eas of larger tube headers, just don't want the front tires sticking way out. there's info about changing drums or rotors on the dakota to make 5 lug, im sure someone here knows good luck on the project

Dan Bowles · 03-10-2010, 11:52 PM

Done the 5 lug swap. 15 minutes per side. Get the early truck 5 lug rotors and swap out the 6. So easy, my kids did it while I watched. The guy I know that did the truck used a Camaro rear end and dual lug wheels so he had 5 on 4.5 on front and 4.75 on rear and could still rotate.

Dan Bowles · 03-10-2010, 11:55 PM

I couldn't find the post I did on changing the hubs over but here's this:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=307020

"Definitive Dakota frame swap thread" from HAMB.

rjs53 · 03-11-2010, 01:19 AM

great information Dan, thanks I think I'll put it on graigslist wants. I did this for and s10 and had 5 calls in an hour maybe i can get lucky twice

03-05-2010, 01:37 PM	#1
rjs53 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: nevada Posts: 649	Dakota frontend I know the s10 is the way to go for frame swaps but what about a dakota? they seem to be a little wider has anyone tried it?

03-05-2010, 01:49 PM	#2
Thadious Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Creston, BC Canada Posts: 369	Re: Dakota frontend Check the wheel base and frame width, shouldn't be too much of an issue unless you're slamming the cab down tight to it. I know the S10 frames show about 1/2"-1" clearance on each side between the framerails and the notch in the cab rear. You may also find that having the space to put body mounts might be an issue if the Dakota ones are any wider than the S10. Good luck, Ted. __________________ '51 Chevy Build - In the design stages Aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one. If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you... My new build - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...70#post8958970

03-05-2010, 02:46 PM	#3
blackdiesel Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Omaha, Arkansas Posts: 929	Re: Dakota frontend Industrail chassis made a weld in crossmember to put dakota a-arms on, that fit the TF trucks. Its is what is under dad's truck and we like it very well, but I think they went out of biusness. __________________ '57 Chevy Pickup '56 GMC LCF Cummins '38 Chrysler Royal '57 2wd change http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=speedway

03-06-2010, 12:20 AM	#5
blackdiesel Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Omaha, Arkansas Posts: 929	Re: Dakota frontend That's great that he's still in business. I had heard that he wasn't. I'm glad that I wrong. thank you __________________ '57 Chevy Pickup '56 GMC LCF Cummins '38 Chrysler Royal '57 2wd change http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=speedway

03-06-2010, 01:11 AM	#6
rjs53 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: nevada Posts: 649	Re: Dakota frontend thanks for the info everyone, thought about the dakota just because of the width, thought it might be easier with exhaust and motor placement along with the fact that the s10 needs wheel spacers and the dakota is pretty plentifull. Just thinking outside the box

03-06-2010, 08:07 AM	#7
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Dakota frontend A guy on the HAMB, SuperDan, has done a Dakota frame swap on an AD here in Michigan. I've seen it and sat in it, not driven it, though. Turned out great. The steering isn't in the way so he used his whole radiator support and dropped it between the rails. Same style as the S10 using the body/bed mounts and flipping them around where you need. I don't think he changed wheel base and ran a Camaro rear end. IIRC he chopped off about 6" of extra frame length out back. He ran an early F100 gas tank out the driver's side like a '47 Chevy would have out the passenger's side. He put a 350/350, used the Dakota column, and the Dakota seat. He had it body swapped and running in 3 days (he's got a well equipped shop).

03-06-2010, 08:09 AM	#8
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Dakota frontend If you get a later 6 lug Dakota, the wheels are Dodge ONLY. You can change it to 5 lugs up front (Ford/Dodge pattern) by just putting old rotors on it. I started to do this swap but got SuperDan's S10 frame he had already put motor and trans mounts in for a good price and knew a guy needing the Dakota frame, so... I bought my Dakota frame for $75 already stripped with gas tank but no rear end. You can hook up the GM PS pump to the Mopar PS rack if needed with a pressure reducer.

03-06-2010, 11:18 AM	#9
rjs53 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: nevada Posts: 649	Re: Dakota frontend Im thinking of using just the front clip off the dakota and i have an 8.2 from my chevelle, I may go with a control arm type suspension, havent made up my mind yet.

03-10-2010, 10:54 PM	#10
PRWFAB Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: YORK PA Posts: 62	Re: Dakota frontend Im sitting my 54 panel on a 92 Dakota 4x4 frame . I did a lot of measuring before I bought the wreaked Dakota . should be real close ,but Im not sitting mine tight on the frame. Soon as the snow is done here in Pa I got a few things to prep in my garage and I will start on mine. the body has been on boards since fall . cant wait to get on it . With a limited income I striped everything that unbolted of the Dakota and plan on using it . and yes the 6 lug wheels bite very limited on after market . Good Luck we will have to compare notes as we go

03-10-2010, 11:14 PM	#11
rjs53 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: nevada Posts: 649	Re: Dakota frontend can't wait to see it. I have been to a salvage yard and measured best i could from baking plate to backing plate looks like 55"on a 96 2x. my plans are the same use everything off the donor frame, might even use the rearend if it's good. it really depends on the price of the dakota frame, i can get s10's all day for $100 to $150 striped to the frame but i like the idea of rack and pinion and the wider frame for eas of larger tube headers, just don't want the front tires sticking way out. there's info about changing drums or rotors on the dakota to make 5 lug, im sure someone here knows good luck on the project

03-10-2010, 11:52 PM	#12
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Dakota frontend Done the 5 lug swap. 15 minutes per side. Get the early truck 5 lug rotors and swap out the 6. So easy, my kids did it while I watched. The guy I know that did the truck used a Camaro rear end and dual lug wheels so he had 5 on 4.5 on front and 4.75 on rear and could still rotate.

03-10-2010, 11:55 PM	#13
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: Dakota frontend I couldn't find the post I did on changing the hubs over but here's this: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=307020 "Definitive Dakota frame swap thread" from HAMB.

03-11-2010, 01:19 AM	#14
rjs53 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: nevada Posts: 649	Re: Dakota frontend great information Dan, thanks I think I'll put it on graigslist wants. I did this for and s10 and had 5 calls in an hour maybe i can get lucky twice

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