I had a similar problem on my Dakota when I was installing the body lift.
If I were to take an experienced guess, I would say it's one of the body
mounts, right behind one of the front wheels. Dodge didn't use any form of
anti-seize on those bolts during the assembly of your truck and with the
front tires kicking crap directly on those two mounts, after a while they
will rust into place and you can't get them loose. There is a square nut
that the body bolt threads into and it was originally welded to the inner
part of the frame box prior to it being closed in. If that thing breaks
loose, The only way your going to get at it is to cut a small access hole,
large enough to insert a wrench, on the inside edge of the frame box. I
ended up blowing the head of the bolt with a torch, jacking the body up
enough to slip the body mount out and cutting the bolt down close enough to
the nut to push the nut up into the box. I then replaced the body mount and
slipped a new nut through the access hole I cut and threaded a new bolt in
with my fingers and tightened it down with a wrench through the access hole.
Put some anti-seize on those bolts prior to reinstalling them so if you
ever have to get at it again, you won'y run into this again. Good Luck.
Walt Felix
88½ Dakota Sport 4x4, 2000 Ram 1500 QuadCab Sport 4x4 and a 67 Barracuda
Coupe 340/4Speed
Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
http://WWW.Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
http://WWW.MoparsinMotion.COM
----Original Message Follows----
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 08:00:13 -0800
From: "Ronald Wong" <ron-wong@home.com>
Subject: DML: RE: Question on body mounts for GenII Dak
Can't tell you much on Gen-II's but Gen-III's have no nuts, just bolts.
Ron
00 SLT QC 4X2 5.9 46RE 3.92 LSD
For modifications see my DML Profile
- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET]On Behalf Of ron chapell
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2000 6:19 AM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@twisted.twistedbits.net
Subject: DML: Question on body mounts for GenII Dak
I was in the process of putting nerf bars on my dak came to a problem. How
do you get to the nut of the body mount in front of the cab. I hope that
there is a nut on that bolt or else I broke something. I can't tighten it
nor loosen it anymore. I looked under the carpet inside for a removable
access panel and there was nothing. The only thing i can figure is that you
have to remove the inner wheel well. I ran out of time and had to make a 4
hour trip home last night so i didn't get a chance to really look into it.
Any ideas? Maybe someone with a FSM ( I really need to get one of those!)
TIA.
Ron Chapell
95 DSCC 4x4 5.2L 5-Spd
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