Buy Dodge Dakota Fender

Snapshot

The Dodge Dakota front fender-also called a front wing, side panel, wheel-arch panel, or mudguard-is the steel (or sometimes fiberglass) skin that wraps the outer edge of the front wheel well. It keeps rocks, water, and sand from hitting the doors, hood, and passengers, supports the head-lamp bracket, and creates the truck's body line. Dakota fenders swap easily because they bolt on rather than weld on, making them a favorite DIY job. They differ by model year, material, and trim, but the removal steps stay much the same.

What the Fender Does

• Primary job : block debris and channel airflow away from the tire. (Wikipedia)
• Secondary jobs : mount side-marker lamps, splash shield, and sometimes antenna. (Wikipedia)
• Synonyms to know : front wing (UK term), wheel-arch panel, mudguard, side panel, skin, and-wrongly but commonly-"quarter panel" (true quarter panels are at the rear). (Wikipedia)

Dakota Year Fit

← scroll table horizontally →

Tip: a 2003 Durango fender will bolt on to a 2004 Dakota but needs minor trimming behind the head-lamp bucket. (JustAnswer)

Build & Specs

• Material: 18-gauge stamped steel on most replacement panels; fiberglass race-style spares are also sold. (ADV Fiberglass)
• Average weight: 13 - 18 lb for steel; 7 - 9 lb for fiberglass. (eBay)
• Rough outside size (3rd Gen driver side): 57 in L x 32 in H x 13 in D. (Amazon)
• Bolt pattern: eight 10 mm upper bolts, two 13 mm lower splash bolts, and Torx T-30 head-lamp brace screws. (Dakota Durango)
• Wheel bolt circle (handy when adding flares): 5 x 4.5 in on 1987-1990 Dakotas; 6 x 4.5 in on 2005-2011 4-wheel-drive models. (Reno Offroad)

Damage & Rust Hot Spots

• Dog-leg rust: the lower rear of the fender collects road salt and mud. (Dakota Forumz)
• Lip corrosion: flares trap moisture where the inner liner meets the lip. (Dodge Forum)
• Parking-lot dents: thin outer skin bends at the body line but is easy to hammer out.
• Collision folds: front corner crumples first in a 25 mph overlap hit. (NHTSA)

Removal & Install Steps

1. Disconnect battery to disable the side-marker circuit.
2. Raise truck and remove front wheel for better access. (JustAnswer)
3. Peel off inner splash liner-seven push-pins and two bolts. (YouTube)
4. Unbolt head-lamp brace and hood hinge bolts on the top rail. (YouTube)
5. Break loose lower dog-leg bolts behind the rocker panel. Penetrating oil helps. (Dodge Forum)
6. Lift fender straight up and out. Avoid flexing the thin front edge.
7. Test-fit new panel, then torque upper bolts to 18 ft-lb and lower bolts to 24 ft-lb. (EGR USA)

Flares & Liners

• Fender flares add tire coverage and hide rust; choose OE-style, bolt-on, or cut-out patterns. (HOT ROD)
• Most flare kits re-use factory holes plus plastic tabs; a grease pencil helps line them up. (JEGS)
• Inner liners stop slush from packing the cowl; replace torn liners to prevent water leaks. (1A Auto)
• Rivet heads often break-drill them with a 3/16 in bit for clean removal. (Reddit)

Paint & Finish

• New panels ship in e-coat primer; scuff with 600-grit before paint.
• Popular 2005 codes include PB7 Patriot Blue and PDM Mineral Gray. (PaintRef, PaintRef)
• Always blend color onto the door edge for a seamless look.
• Clear-coat dries in 30 min at 75 °F; avoid tape lines for 48 h.

Safety & Regulations

• The fender must cover the tire tread at top dead-center in most U.S. states; check local code.
• Sharp edges violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. (NHTSA)
• Loose liners can rub brake lines-inspect after off-road trips.

DIY Tools

Socket set (7 mm to 13 mm), T-30 Torx bit, trim-clip pliers, panel stand, torque wrench, rust inhibiting primer, and nitrile gloves cover 95 % of jobs. (YouTube, Dakota Durango)

Green Facts

Steel fenders are 100 % recyclable; scrapyards pay by weight, so flatten dents first. Fiberglass units weigh less and save fuel, but they don't recycle easily. (ADV Fiberglass)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2001 fender bolt onto my 1999 Dakota?
A: Yes. All 2nd-Gen (1997-2004) pick-ups share the same front wing mounting points. (JustAnswer)

Q: Can I use a Durango fender on a Dakota?
A: A 1997-2003 Durango panel fits 1997-2004 Dakotas with only small trimming near the head-lamp bracket.

Q: How long does the swap take?
A: An experienced DIYer needs about two hours per side, including liner swap. (YouTube, YouTube)

Q: Do I need to remove the hood?
A: No. Just unbolt the rear hood hinge bolt and pivot the hinge slightly. (YouTube)

Q: What gauge metal is the factory panel?
A: Most measure around 18 gauge (≈1.2 mm). (eBay)

Q: How do I stop the dog-leg from rusting again?
A: After paint, spray cavity wax into the seam and add a small drain hole behind the splash shield. (Dakota Forumz, Dodge Forum)

Q: Are fiberglass fenders street-legal?
A: Yes, if they cover the tire tread like steel ones and keep lamps at the original height. (ADV Fiberglass, NHTSA)

Q: Should I reuse factory clips?
A: Replace any clip that loses spring tension; loose liners trap grit and cause vibration. (Reddit)

Q: What torque for flare bolts?
A: Hand-tight plus 3 turns (about 5 ft-lb) keeps the plastic from cracking. (EGR USA)

Q: Which paint code is Inferno Red?
A: PEL is the Dodge code for Inferno Red on 2005 Dakotas. (PaintRef)

Q: Does the fender affect air-bag timing?
A: No, but a loose sensor bracket inside the fender well can. Check that it is bolted tight. (NHTSA)

Q: Can I drive without an inner liner for a week?
A: It works, but water can soak wiring and corrode the fuse box-install the liner as soon as possible. (1A Auto)

Glossary

• Fender / Front Wing: outer panel over the front wheel.
• Dog-leg: lower rear corner of the fender.
• Splash Liner: plastic shield inside the wheel well.
• Fender Flare: extension that widens the arch.
• Skin: thin outer metal of any body panel.

Useful links for deeper reading:

• Basic fender definition
• Dakota generation guide
• Service answer on year-interchange
• Hidden rust photo thread
• NHTSA safety documents
• Paint code lookup

These resources add depth without sending visitors to competing parts sellers.