I work at a Dodge and Chrysler dealer and I had to get a set of rear swaybar links for a newer Dakota a few weeks back. And while looking at the links I kept thinking that they reminded me of something. I finally figured out they look similar to the dogbone on my car,(86 2.5) other than they are black, and hard plastic, and a little thinner, but surprisingly the same length from hole to hole. So anyway I brought one of the old ones home with me because I had an idea.

My dogbone has been bad for a while and I figured I could make the swaylink work somehow so I hung it on a nail on the garage wall at home and forgot about it. Yesterday I saw it hanging there and decided to do something with it.
The stock dogbone bolts are too thin for the link sleeves, so I cut the old sleeves out of my old bushings and cleaned them off smooth. I then broke the sleaves out of the swaylink. Suprisingly the stock sleeves fit right into the link bushings, with a little pressing. Then I put it on my car and took a test drive.
I couldn't believe the difference, the engine now has almost no movement, although at idle there is more engine vibration, just as I've heard the poly bushings are. The only thing I'm not sure of is how strong they are, or need to be. I guess I'll try it for a while and see. I also have to put some washers on each side but it works great for now. I can get these at wholesale price if anyone wants to try one out. I can't remember for sure but I think they list for about 35-40 dollars.

So now I've driven about 100 miles or so just testing out my new Idea. It seemes to work great. I haven't broken the new dogbone yet, but still dont trust it at the same time. I have my original in the back just incase I need to do a side-of-the-road swap. But have done alot of sudden take offs, and even a few donuts.

I was looking at it more today and I have come up with a better design. I used one swaybar link for now, which it about 1 inch wide, but realized that it I used two side-by-side it would double the strength and I wouldn't need to use washers or spacers as the gap between both would be about the same as the stock aluminum piece. And the sleeves just happen to be about two inches anyway.

I wish I had a digital camera to post pics but I'm working on that right now. I think you guys would like the design if you saw the pics. The only thing with TWO is that it would double the price of this upgrade, if it really is an upgrade.

Any thoughts?????

hows about some pics?

My brother & law took some pics for me and burned them on disc but my computer wont read the disc, so I'll have to try something else.

I'll get some up before the weekend is over, I promise.

Ok Lets try to get some pics up now... As you can see my original design needs a little work. I'm going to use two of these links side-by-side next with the inner lips of the bushings trimmed off. This will alow for placement of two. They will also work to hold the bushings in tightly because as you can see from the pics, the bushings are being squashed out a bit on the sides. Keep in mind that I am using used links too. I will try brand new ones after I'm satisfied with the design.

Swaybar links take a real pounding from pot holes and such and are designed to absorb the punishment. And I am sure the engineers expect somebody somewhere will take a Dakota offroad just because.

So, I'm sold on the idea, but am going to wait for you to do all the trial and error until it looks good and has a parts list and instructions.

Parallel black dogbones would be too cool, at least the pictures of the one indicates that both will fit, and just one is cool.

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If it works out well I'll prepare them and sell in pairs ready to be installed, the only thing I need to find is a place to get the sleeves. Even if I had to cut them to size, But being that I have to use the old ones from the old dogbone I really couldn't sell them in kits yet because you would have to modify them as well.

I'll keep you posted.