91 - 96 Dodge Dakota Front Suspension Rebuild for The Drag Week Dakota

Racer X Garage Episode 28 - Before we can take the Drag Week Dakota to the track, I have to fix the front suspension. I tackle that task by replacing all major front suspension components. This includes brand new Upper Control Arms that includes bushings and upper ball joint, as well as replacing the lower control arm bushings and lower ball joint. This was the last obstacle the truck was facing, its now time to get her to the track!
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Moog fully Assembled Upper Control Arms (Bought from Rock Auto)
Right Side - Part #: RK623220
Left Side - Part #: RK623221
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[@darlenegaylor178]

Racer X magnets to go next to my Rock Auto lol

[@RacerXGarage]

Not a bad idea!

[@just_zoan]

Came for the truck stayed for the doggy 😂

[@RacerXGarage]

That's really sweet to hear, thank you so much for sharing that! Not sure which one was in this video, but we lost one last year, and the other this year. We miss them dearly, and its nice to know that they still make people smile!

[@just_zoan]

@@RacerXGarage Sorry to hear. Hope you find another furball to love on.

[@vinceolson2473]

Dude ! Awesome job !

[@RacerXGarage]

Thanks!

[@keithmason512]

Pickle fork is a must. Saves lots of frustration. One good hammer swing and the ball joint is loose. Good vid bro

[@RacerXGarage]

I have one, but I've had better luck with hitting the knuckles with a BFH. I'll have to try it again next time

[@2TECHSS]

Great video Bro Thanks From CHILE 🇨🇱

[@RacerXGarage]

Thanks! Appreciate the long distance kind words!

[@johnr.timmers2297]

I'm on the cusp of finishing my 99 SLT Dakota. Been doing it in my spare time and it's taken a month, but I should be able to get it all together tomorrow. Just letting the springs dry some more from painting.

[@RacerXGarage]

Oh cool! We just out a similar video up doing the suspension on a 99 Dakota RT. It was way easier than my 1992!

[@geraldlottinville1430]

i have to do this to mine

[@valeriepickens2533]

I may be talking, without really knowing, but my husband has been restoring a 95 extended cab 4x4 Dakota, and it's upper control arms are discontinued! I don't believe, that the ones he mentioned here, will work on the 4x4. I know this, from watching my husband go through a nightmare with his research. He finally found some aftermarket control arms that compensated for a three inch lift, and changed the ball joints to the bolt in style. Lower control arm bushings can be an ordeal on this year of 4x4 as well.

[@RacerXGarage]

Yea the 4X4 stuff is a whole different animal. I don't think they share any parts with 2wd. Glad he got something figured out.

[@cavalierliberty6838]

​@@RacerXGarage I actually know something that will work, for the 4x4s, at least if they are lifted. First Gen Durango arms. You will need new bolts, but they fit.

[@millerhockeyvideos112]

Getting ready to do mine... Any specific tricks on lining up the coil spring compressor? Any particular things to avoid?

[@RacerXGarage]

Trail and error. that and patience and making sure you are as safe as possible when using it. Be careful and good luck!

[@650gringo]

Thank you for this video! I am starting my '94 in the morning. I ordered all new Moog bushings and ball joints from Rock Auto. Have a press to put them in. Wish there was a better way to get the springs compressed. Do you know of a source for the rubber upper spring seat?

[@RacerXGarage]

I sure dont, I've heard people will get 3/4 hose and cut it but not something I've done myself. Good luck!

[@botox92fotzek55]

Hey iam nico from berlin germany. I do exactly the same work, in the last couple of weeks by time and i stopt today pressing in this rubber bushings. Now i have seen your video and how you put this nut between the wishbone mount, with the cable tie… so youre reale helpet me to find a solution to solve this problem but i bought only new bushings for the upper wischbones hopefuly i can do this work as well… i dont wont to buy a hole new upper wischone allready equipt maaan !! 😅😁 yeah it is a nightmare !!! Nice greets from Berlin …keep rollin

[@RacerXGarage]

Too cool to hear youre from Germany ! Glad it helped you out, and thanks for watching

[@botox92fotzek55]

@@RacerXGarage too cool to here an answer from you this quick 👍 yeah i bought this truck a couple of years ago and putit in my mom‘s backyard first… 🙄 now its time to rebuilt it „partly“. So i may make a video from my place. Let me know if you wanna see something from Germany 😁

[@RacerXGarage]

@@botox92fotzek55 would love to see a video from Berlin! If you make a video send the link my way!

[@pizza4prezident143]

@@botox92fotzek55 Nein

[@geraldlottinville1430]

hey i appreciat your hard work im going to school on you

[@RacerXGarage]

Appreciate it, hope it helps out

[@tomc8157]

Doing a full resto on my 96 Dak. Frame is done down to bare metal and por-15'd and looks purdy. Rebuilding the suspension now. Any leads on Upper control arm assemblies? Seems stock has dried up like the Sahara everywhere.

[@RacerXGarage]

Yeah that's unfortunate. Looks like they're on back order like everything else right now. There is a special tool that can be bought to install bushings with the crossbar in place, might be a good option

[@kylenelowrey9651]

What tool is that? I’m trying to get the new bushings pressed in with no luck due to the bar in the center.

[@user-wl2qm4tp4q]

Subbing just for the vice grip wrench shock removal. I bought the odd little socket

[@RacerXGarage]

Haha I appreciate it! I didn't know there was a socket

[@user-wl2qm4tp4q]

@@RacerXGarage Yeah, another fun one is the upper ball joint socket. I bent a 3/4" breaker bar thinking I was going to turn it out. The truck had other ideas. High heat was my friend

[@timbrwolf1121]

Where did you get the brake shields? I couldnt find them anywhere. Do they come with spindles?

[@RacerXGarage]

They were on my factory spindles, you'll prob have to nab some from the junkyard

[@user-wl2qm4tp4q]

I think when I did mine, I left the shock attached before I knocked out the lower ball joint to keep the control arm from dropping too much. It still sucked, but primarily because the shock bolts were rusted, hard to access being under the control arm.

[@RacerXGarage]

someone else recommended that as well, either way, just needs to be done as safe as possible

[@Radbot776]

I did that today I just smashed it with a mini sledge 2 times and it fell off and I unscrewed everything didn’t leave a nut on the top one, I just unscrew everything kept the strut on and put a jack under the lower assembly put some pressure and just hit it and it all just flew off hella bomb. My only issues is the removal of the lower and upper ball joints but I’m just going to take a drill to it I’m tired of buying tools for this truck

[@user-wl2qm4tp4q]

@@Radbot776 Mine is a 91 3.9. I need a new diff. Any insight? Whole new axle, compatible vehicles? I think I read there are some Chrysler cross compatible swaps.

[@Radbot776]

@@user-wl2qm4tp4q mine is a 1993 3.9 4x4 and mines pretty good but I have no idea on parts as I myself have been struggling to find stuff for this thing

[@user-wl2qm4tp4q]

no dash will take you to a garbage seller. so bad they changed the name to lure

[@geraldlottinville1430]

i have the same issues metric and regular parts you never know

[@streetking9340]

Where would you go for two inch drop spindles for the Dakota.

[@RacerXGarage]

I think Belltech makes a set. I'd try there

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

Do you have part numbers for all of the parts you replaced?

[@RacerXGarage]

I only have what is in the description. I like to use moog brand parts if that helps

[@johnniemckinney9517]

Can you post a link to where you got lower control arms and everything

[@RacerXGarage]

I don't have links because they often expire, but in the description are the part numbers for the upper control arms. The lowers are not available aftermarket, and need the bushings and balljoint replaced. I have another video that I just did this on and you can check it out here. We used all Moog Components - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJDQZYuOjJypqpYsi=89w7BBoU7AHJDsbc

[@dougasbailey6864]

Where do u get motor mounts for that truck or 96 Dakota?

[@RacerXGarage]

Stock motor mounts can be ordered at just about any parts store

[@Radbot776]

Idk i did all of the removal fairly simple I got to the upper and lower ball joints and I’m stuck, I’m looking at other videos I don’t want to buy anymore tools for this thing and I’m just going to take a sawzall grinder and drill to them tomorrow and just place the new ones in just tired of buying new stuff for this thing. Thanks for the video at least I’m not the only stupid working on a 1993 dodge Dakota lol

[@RacerXGarage]

lol misery loves company! Good luck getting it all figured out

[@Radbot776]

@@RacerXGarage already did truck is fully running driving like new lol

[@Mrmatt-pt3xm]

Gotta give it to the guy gettin grease under his finger nails and figuring it out as he goes.That’s the hot rod spirit.I bet it hauls ass

[@RacerXGarage]

Been as fast as 12.47 @107. We have a video of it up, check if our if you get a chance. Appreciate the kind words

[@dougasbailey6864]

Can u not take spring out to get ball joit?

[@RacerXGarage]

In theory you can with the right tool, you'll have to keep weigh on the lower control arm the whole time. But I needed to replace ball joint and bushings so the entire control arm needed to come out.

[@AntonioMartinez-xz3pt]

help me out , so any 92 -96models are interchangeable with each other?

[@RacerXGarage]

yes, they all have the same suspension IF 2wd. 4WD suspension is completely different and not compatible.

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

Right off the bat, I noticed you have a 5 lug rotor hub, as opposed to the 6 lug pattern they came stock with? Did you swap them? I know people like to do that to make it easier to fit for different wheels 🛞 ? Also I have a question about the top control arm and part where the shock bolts on at top. I have a 1993 and suddenly picked up a nasty thud sound and I found that that part where the shock bolts through is shifting and jerking forward to reverse as you press into brake real hard. Made me think it had a bad control arm bushing but I don't see that problem just that "plate like" part beneath the top control arm with shock bolted through shifting and clunking? Any idea? I literally not seeing where this is a part that should even be moving like that, additional info, it has the the 2 nuts and the bar Overtop of it with shock shaft up through middle. I'm sure the coil is right beneath it, has it loosened or something?

[@RacerXGarage]

I could only think that maybe your upper control arm is loose (top two bolts that bolt it to the frame), not sure otherwise. They have to be SUPER tight. I have a couple videos on how to swap to 5 lug front and rear. You basically just use rotors, drums and axles from a 1990 Dakota. You can prob search "5 lug" on my channel to find them. And yup, did it for better wheel options. Thanks for checking out the channel, good luck finding out your issue!

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

@@RacerXGarage I believe you were correct. It was loose bolts. I got an impact socket and power impact driver and hammered them back tight. Solved the problem. The shop that replaced the control arm bushing didn't torque them. Those Smooth brains....and I will.habe to check out ur other vids. Thanks for the feed back.

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

@@RacerXGarage another question, where did you get the spindle/steering Knuckles? The only thing I'm seeing are drop spindles? Apparently there isn't an aftermarket on new stock spinds?

[@RacerXGarage]

@@jonathanfreedom1st mine are the factory ones that came with the truck. If you need stock spindles I think the bone yard is your only option. That or maybe ebay as a used set. Good luck on your search

[@therealblakekirkham5701]

Is 1990 the same escape 5 lug??

[@RacerXGarage]

Yes, it's the same setup for a 1990.

[@beniamino939]

How did you compress the spring?!! I'm fighting like hell to get mine on!

[@RacerXGarage]

I used a spring compressor that has a fork that goes in-between the coils on one end, and then hooks with the 2 arms on the other. It took me forever, but I just kept trying to re-adjust so that I could get the spring in and get the lower control arm in the right location. It took me a while to get it right. Next time I'll use a chain as a safety measure when I try to get it lined up. Good luck, stick with it!

[@beniamino939]

There's gotta be a specialty tool for this!

[@beniamino939]

Thanks. I'll probably be dying for 8 hours today.

[@beniamino939]

I have one more question? Should I have the upper control arm in first? Thank you.

[@RacerXGarage]

@@beniamino939 oh most definitely. You'll have to install the spindle to upper and lower before you can release tension off the spring once you get it installed.

[@KingdomUploader]

They are 'out of stock' on the control arms and i'm having trouble finding them anywhere. I'm even finding front end repair places here that either won't allow me to buy parts and one place here refused to tackle the job at all. My 1991 dakota 2door 2wd 3.9l got smashed on the front right side by a mindless motorist. there insurance will probably total out the truck and i'll be stuck with a truck i can't get fixed. Anyone know for sure where to get parts like these? Thanks

[@RacerXGarage]

Yeah they seem to be a popular item unfortunately. Your only other option is to go used and either try yourself or have a shop install the bushings. Hope you get something figured out, heartbreaking to hear your ride got wrecked :(

[@geraldandjessault9761]

There discontinued.. the ones he got is 2 wheel drive ones they sell

[@sourdiesel1893]

Hey great video I have a 93 dakota n having some issues n it would be sincere if your willin to help out..

[@RacerXGarage]

Hey Eddie, about the best I can do is try to answer some questions you have. Feel free to post them, or email us at [e-mail] . If I can answer them I'd be happy to, but its hard to be extremely helpful over the internet. Perhaps we can point you in the right direction at the least. Thanks for checking the video!

[@sourdiesel1893]

@@RacerXGaragemuch appreciated only thing I need to figure out why my truck suddenly dies once or twice at a stop light or tries to die, yet I already switched 3 sensors on the carb in doing so runs alot better except still does the dying part.

[@sourdiesel1893]

Also dont have any codes show up wen doing a obd1 scan.

[@RacerXGarage]

@@sourdiesel1893 Oh man, that could be several things. Unless you are really good with diagnosing things, I'd reach out to a friend or family member who may be able to look at it for you. Unfortunately that's a bit of a complex problem that can be either fuel, spark, or possibly even electrically related. I wish you luck for sure, sorry I can't help in this instance

[@jerryrichter4904]

next time take a chain up thru coil spring and hook it to lower control arm then it can't ger you

[@RacerXGarage]

That's not a bad idea, we have to do this again soon, will definitely keep it in mind.

[@kozmothewonderdog]

I'm trying to visualize this - so one end of the chain would hook to lower control arm, the rest of the chain go thru the center of spring but then hook to what?

[@markhanor1101]

Rockauto doesn't have them anymore, discontinued

[@RacerXGarage]

Dang it! Thats a bummer

[@chrisjensen9292]

I'm new to your site I've always liked the Dakota because it's different and I've also had 64 other mopars I do have a 1971 440 grab a roadrunner it has connections to the dukes of hazzard's. I am building a 1996 Dodge Dakota I wanted to be streetable perform I am a airbrush order so I'm going to design this like no other Dakota on Earth I hope to hear from you because I do a lot of TruFire a lot of custom painting through Drew Blair if Blair School of art and I also work part-time with dye art out of Hampton roads we do a lot of airbrush work this Dakota will definitely be something different and off the wall that's going to be a Batman joker truck. Hit me up and I will show you pictures of the beginning stages of this truck

[@chrisjensen9292]

I would like a racer x sticker for my truck

[@chrisjensen9292]

Cool truck

[@clawedassasin2909]

I don’t even bother trying to get the top shock bolts off, just cut them with the grinder. Saves a lot of time lol. Damn rustbelt

[@RacerXGarage]

That's definitely an option I didn't think about