[Dtjdec231989]

Hey. I have a chance to get a wrecked Dakota for 300 dollars. I have a couple of general questions about the body style changes in the 92 to 96 time frame. When was the first year for the SLT trim level? The one I am looking at is an SLT but it has the the tailgate like the one I have with the word DODGE in big letters. Also, how easy would it be to switch the interior out? The interior in my truck is a yucky biege color and the one I am looking at has a dark blue or black interior. Also, did the chrome five angle spoke wheels come with six lug holes? I like that style as they are similar to the ones on the Dodge Ram in the movie Twister. Thanks in Advance.

 

[RalphP]

General answer - all the parts, if the same cab size, will swap.

I.E., if you've got the extended cab and the 1996 is a 4-door, you'll have problems; if both are regular cab, should be fine.

Variances: Some of the lower 1/2 dash may have changed due to the addition of the OBDII connector for 1996; otherwise, it'll be OK.

The factory lug pattern was the same 1991-1996 for the 1st gen; if it's on a 1991-1996, it should bolt up to your 1992 unless someone's done an axle/hub swap on the donor.

Swapping the whole interior just takes time; while you've got the dash out, due to age, I'd HIGHLY recommend a heater core, an evaporator, a blower motor, and dress and add any option wiring (here's where you run RCA cables from the radio cubby to behind the seat, for instance) for any options you may be adding soon.

I have no idea for what year the SLT was first; that's actually not a body style change.

Forewarning: Don't Drop The Dash!! They are old enough, they're brittle and will crack easily. (I made that mistake doing a 1991 Cougar by myself; at least it's just one crack, not whole-chunks-are-missing like the original dash. Le sigh.)

RwP

 

[Dtjdec231989]

Ok. Thanks a bunch. I found out that the donor truck is a 1994 model. It is a club cab like mine. All I really need is the bed, but since I will be getting the entire truck, why not get other stuff as well. The engine and transmission can be rebuilt for performance and efficiency. And I can take the doors off the donor truck and other stuff. The only major difference is that the tailgate on mine does not have the third brake light in the tailgate. Why Dodge did that with the Dakota, I will never understand.

 

[Dtjdec231989]

Another question on this subject. How easy would it be to add factory power windows, outside mirrors, and door locks to my truck? The donor truck I am looking at is a 1994 model and mine is a 1992. I am just wondering cause I know newer vehicles have those features controlled by the body control module. I guess what I am asking is do these Dakotas have the features that I mentioned controlled by computer or do they run them through relays and fuses?

 

[RalphP]

Relays and fuses.

Matter of fact, your first stop should be at the Factory Service Manual and the wiring diagrams.

Grab for both years if you can; 1992 plans should work, though.

RwP

 

[Dtjdec231989]

Ok. Cool. So, I take it that there is no BCM on these trucks.

 

[Dtjdec231989]

Also, where could I get a factory service manual? I know I can get one from rockauto.com but 63 dollars is too pricey for my blood.

 

[RXT]

Also, where could I get a factory service manual? I know I can get one from rockauto.com but 63 dollars is too pricey for my blood.

The FSM isn't cheap, but it's well worth it. That book is the bible to your model year truck and will show everything (and I mean everything) thats in your truck. If theres a BCM in your truck, it will be in the FSM.


Ed

 

[RalphP]

Also, where could I get a factory service manual? I know I can get one from rockauto.com but 63 dollars is too pricey for my blood.

Ebay has them for as low as $36 as I type this; but truthfully, as RXT said, it's The Bible when it comes to what you're wanting to do.

Or you can flail around not knowing what you're doing.

If you want to be cheap, you can also subscribe to AllDataDIY.COM or EAutoRepair.NET (I presume EAutoRepair.NET has the info; I've not subscribed there, but it IS the DIY version of Mitchell 1st) and pull it from there.

RwP

 

[Dtjdec231989]

Thanks guys. I just found out my Dakota is already half way wired for these. I just need to know what fuse the power door mirrors runs off of. I have some experience with this stuff. The 1986 mustang I had used an electric radiator fan and the factory relay as well one of two replacements burned out. I just added a heavy duty 40 continuous amp relay into the wire that powered the fan. How I did it was I found the original wire to the fan, (it had been cut my my dad and put it a toggle switch to turn the fan on or off), hooked it up as well as a ground wire to the low power side. Then, I ran a wire straight from the starter solenoid to one terminal on the high power side, and ran a red wire from the other high power terminal to the fan. And finished it all off by replacing the radiator fan temperature switch. After that, it worked like a charm.

 

[RalphP]

This may be inaccurate, since I'm using a 1995 manual, but ...

50A Fuse E in the PDC feeds the ignition switch, which then feeds a 30A breaker in the fuse block (cavity 2) which then powers the power windows.

The door locks are feed through Fuse E also, which then feeds a 20A fuse #5 in the fuse block.

The mirrors are fed through Fuse F (20A) which then feeds Fuse 2 (5A) in the PDC.

I would double check with one of the sources I listed, though. Again, that's from the 1995 manual; it usually doesn't change that much.

RwP