dakota front end 5 X 5.5 bolt on brakes

Wollfe · Post by **Wollfe** » August 29, 2008, 4:45 pm

For anyone who has the Dakota front end I have found factory bolt on parts to get the proper 5 X 5.5 wheel lug pattern.

Here is what I have found
Rotors off a 85-92 dodge ram fit properly using the same bearings as
the Dakota rotors , rotors from pre 85 have a different outer bearing.
the rotors from the ram are larger diameter and thicker. meaning that
Calipers and brackets(know for sure that 85-88 brackets) will work from
the same year model ram are needed and will bolt right to the Dakota
spindles

I have bolted all parts to my Dakota front end and all parts clear, as soon as I get hoses and new calipers I will be running this instead of the Dak rotors

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » August 29, 2008, 5:18 pm

great job wollfe. Too bad I placed an order for ne axles last week

but I was gonna upgrade to 31 spline anyways so I don't feel that bad.

Great info though!

Truckrat · Post by **Truckrat** » August 30, 2008, 1:36 pm

Way to go Dave! Glad to know I can still use the big bolt pattern with a Dakota frontend. Good to know there are guys out there doing some "experimentin'' on stuff to see what'll work.
Between you and Chris (PFM) you are making my build easier and easier.
TR

66freezerburn · Post by **66freezerburn** » August 30, 2008, 2:35 pm

I also am already ordering 5 by 4.5 axles as there seem to be more rim
options for that bolt pattern.
Nice job on the find though.

Post by **Greg D** » August 30, 2008, 8:08 pm

jecsd1 wrote:great job wollfe. Too bad I placed an order for ne axles last week but I was gonna upgrade to 31 spline anyways so I don't feel that bad.

Great info though!

If you went to a 4.5" bolt pattern you will have a nearly unlimited selection of wheels. The Rodmasters on mine are even discontinued in our bolt pattern - I have the last pair of 15x8s.

jecsd1 · Post by **jecsd1** » August 30, 2008, 11:23 pm

Ok I feel better now

PFM-64f100 · Post by **PFM-64f100** » September 3, 2008, 8:22 am

This is really a good thing to know. Now I don't have to buy the custom axles and redo the rear breaks just to keep matching pattern on the truck. It may be a little bit before I switch back because all is working right now.

I am thinking we need to put this information in a tech article for all Dakota people out there. What yall think?

Garbz · Post by **Garbz** » September 3, 2008, 10:22 am

I am also sure Steve would like this tid bit.

Garbz

PFM-64f100 · Post by **PFM-64f100** » September 3, 2008, 11:41 am

Garbz wrote:I am also sure Steve would like this tid bit.

Garbz

I am sure he would like it also. He hasn't been online

(on this site) in a while (or at least I havn't seen anything from him. He could just be watching?). Does he not like us anymore?

This will help him sell more dakota kits I'm sure.

dakota front end 5 X 5.5 bolt on brakes

dakota front end 5 X 5.5 bolt on brakes

Big Ram Rotors