A 1999 Dodge Dakota upper control arm must match the truck’s drivetrain and the side being repaired. Start with 2WD versus 4WD, then confirm front upper, left or right, and the manufacturer’s application notes. A listing that says only “Dakota 1997–2004” is not enough to establish fit.
The two complete-arm sets below are specifically cataloged for the 1997–1999 Dakota 4WD. They contain both front upper arms with ball joints. They are not recommendations for a 1999 Dakota 2WD. For that truck, the correct next step is a VIN-based catalog check and inspection of the existing arms, with bushing or ball-joint replacement considered only when appropriate.
Confirm the fit before comparing brands
Write down these details before opening a parts listing:
- Model year and model: 1999 Dodge Dakota, not the Durango or full-size Ram.
- Drivetrain: 2WD/rear-wheel drive or 4WD. Trim names and engine size do not replace this check.
- Position: front upper. A lower arm, sway-bar bushing or control-arm bumper is a different component.
- Side: left/driver or right/passenger for a U.S.-market left-hand-drive truck.
- Suspension configuration: factory arrangement or an identified lift, lowering kit or other modification.
- Purchase quantity: one side or a pair, and whether ball joints and bushings are included.
Left and right are viewed from the driver’s seat looking forward. They are not assigned while standing in front of the grille. Check this before buying a single arm or interpreting photographs of a pair.
AM Autoparts AM-2822193159: a complete 4WD upper-arm pair
AM Autoparts AM-2822193159, Front Upper Left and Right Control Arms with Ball Joints for 1997–1999 Dakota 4WD, 2-Piece Set
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This set includes one front driver-side upper arm and one front passenger-side upper arm, each with a ball joint. AM Autoparts’ own application page explicitly lists the 1997–1999 Dakota with four-wheel drive and describes preinstalled bushings and sealed, pre-greased components.
It is a practical format when an inspection finds wear on both upper assemblies and you want to order the pair together. The complete assemblies avoid ordering bare arms and then discovering that separate bushings or ball joints are needed to make them usable.
Before buying: Confirm part number AM-2822193159 and the two-piece quantity. Check the seller’s exact package contents for fastening hardware rather than assuming every original bolt is included. These are stock-replacement-style arms; the catalog evidence does not establish suitability for an altered suspension.
TRQ PSA62357: another cataloged 4WD pair
The TRQ PSA62357 is also a left-and-right front upper control-arm set with ball joints. Its 1A Auto application page lists the 1997–1999 Dakota 4WD and describes preinstalled bushings plus sealed, pre-greased steering and suspension components. The matching Amazon listing identifies model PSA62357 and UPC 191213623572.
This offers the same basic buying format as the AM set: both upper sides in one package. There is no sound basis here for claiming that one lasts longer or gives a better ride. Compare the precise contents, seller support, return conditions and your installer’s preference.
Before buying: Verify the model number rather than relying on a broad “fits Dakota” heading. A retailer’s general description of easy installation does not remove the need for correct vehicle support, suspension-service procedures and an alignment afterward.
Single-side alternatives and useful part-number checks
If only one side needs replacement, a pair is not automatically necessary. An inspection should determine the repair scope. The following catalog references help distinguish the correct 4WD upper arms:
- Dorman 520-311: front upper left; its OE cross-reference includes Chrysler 52039411AB.
- Dorman 520-312: front upper right; its OE cross-reference includes Chrysler 52039410AB.
- MOOG RK620263: left upper, 1997–1999 Dakota 4WD.
- MOOG RK620262: right upper, 1997–1999 Dakota 4WD.
Dorman’s 520-311 and 520-312 product pages describe complete assemblies with installed ball joints and bushings. The MOOG application catalog separates the 1997–1999 4WD upper arms from the later 2000–2004 applications. Cross-references are useful checks, but an old number on a web listing should not override a current fitment exclusion.
What if your 1999 Dakota is 2WD?
Do not order either featured 4WD pair for a two-wheel-drive truck. The shared Dakota name does not make the assemblies interchangeable. Ask a parts specialist to confirm a complete upper arm for the exact VIN, side and suspension configuration. If a listing groups many years together, require the specific 1999 2WD application to appear in its fitment information.
A complete arm may not be the only repair route. MOOG’s catalog lists K7276 upper-control-arm bushings for 1997–2004 Dakota 2WD applications. That is a bushing kit, not an upper arm or a promise that reusing your existing arm is safe. An installer needs to assess the arm, mounting points and ball joint before deciding whether rebuilding the assembly makes sense.
No complete 1999 2WD upper-arm Amazon product is recommended here because an exact, sufficiently supported match was not established. Choosing a superficially similar 4WD arm to fill that gap would create an avoidable fitment risk.
Does the whole arm need replacing?
The arm body, its pivot bushings and the ball joint can develop different problems. A bent or heavily corroded arm requires a different repair decision from an otherwise sound arm with a worn serviceable component. Ask the technician to identify the failed part and explain whether a complete assembly or a component repair is appropriate.
MOOG’s diagnostic overview identifies clunking, unstable steering, vibration and uneven tire wear as possible warning signs. Those symptoms are not unique to an upper control arm. Tie rods, wheel bearings, other bushings and tire problems can produce overlapping complaints. Replacing an arm purely because the truck makes a noise may leave the original fault unresolved.
If steering suddenly becomes loose, a wheel appears displaced, or there is visible suspension damage, stop driving and arrange professional assessment. Do not use a road test to find out whether a questionable joint will hold.
Plan the complete repair cost
The part price is only one line in a suspension repair. Request a quote that separately identifies diagnosis, arm or component replacement, necessary hardware, and wheel alignment. Corroded or seized hardware may affect the job, so ask how additional work will be approved before installation starts.
Have both sides inspected even when the complaint is on one side. That gives you a basis for deciding between one arm and a pair without automatically replacing sound parts. It also helps avoid paying for an alignment and then discovering another worn component that prevents the settings from holding.
Ask the installer how the replacement joints are serviced. A sealed joint should not be treated like a greaseable design, and a grease fitting should not be added by drilling a sealed component. Follow the instructions supplied with the actual replacement part.
Installation and alignment considerations
Upper-control-arm work is safety-critical. Vehicle support, stored suspension loads, separation of joints and fastener tightening must follow the correct service information for the drivetrain. This guide intentionally does not supply a generic torque value or removal procedure. A number copied from a different model year or another joint is not a safe substitute.
Before installation, compare the received part’s label and position with the order and inspect it for shipping damage. Resolve differences before modifying the part. After the work, have the front-end alignment checked and adjusted to the vehicle specifications, and retain the alignment report with the repair invoice.
Buying recommendation
For a stock 1999 Dakota 4WD needing both front upper assemblies, AM Autoparts AM-2822193159 and TRQ PSA62357 are two documented pair options. For a single side, use the side-specific Dorman or MOOG references as a starting point for current catalog confirmation. For 2WD, keep the search separate and get a verified application before buying. Accurate fit and a properly completed repair matter more than a long product ranking.
Image note: AI-generated editorial category illustration; not a photograph of a named or tested product. Generic control arm shape; not a 1999 Dodge Dakota fitment diagram.
