Product Description
Dodge Dakota 1987-1996 Short Bed Full Rocker Kit, 5", Ten Pieces (TH17985)
TH17985 is one of four nearly identical Full Kits QAA lists for the 1987-1996 Dodge Dakota pickup. This one's fitment row reads "Pickup Truck, Short Bed, 2/4 Wheel Drive." It's ten pieces of polished stainless steel, 5" wide, and it "Spans from the bottom of the molding to the bottom of the door."
What the row leaves out
Two of the four Dakota kits name the Extra Cab. This one, and its long-bed twin TH17986, name no cab type at all. The data doesn't say whether that means a standard cab or simply wasn't filled in. If you have a short-bed Dakota and aren't sure whether this kit or TH17989 (Extra Cab, short bed) is yours, call Quality Automotive Trims at 877-752-3811 with your cab and bed before ordering.
Four kits, same numbers
All four Dakota kits are ten pieces at 5" with the same note. The catalog doesn't describe any difference other than the configuration on each row, so the cab and bed are what you're matching:
- TH17985: Short Bed
- TH17986: Long Bed
- TH17988: Extra Cab, Long Bed
- TH17989: Extra Cab, Short Bed
Either drivetrain
"2/4 Wheel Drive" in the fitment row means the listing covers both two-wheel and four-wheel drive trucks, so the drivetrain isn't a factor in choosing among these kits.
Construction
QAA makes the Dakota's ten pieces in the USA from polished 26 gauge 304 stainless steel, and they bond to the existing surface with 3M automotive-grade acrylic foam tape. According to QAA, the tape will hold for a lifetime without damaging the pickup.
Measure the molding gap
The kit fills five inches between the side molding and the bottom of the doors. Measure that on your truck; if it's well off, or the molding is missing, call first.
Paint on an older Dakota
Look over the lower panels. Oxidation can be polished away, but rust blisters, lifting paint or cracked filler must be repaired before installing. Wash, dry, and wipe the whole band with isopropyl alcohol, including the corner under the molding.
Layout and install
The record doesn't describe how the ten Dakota pieces divide. Match them to the photos and number them. Dry-fit a run with liners on, tops under the molding, and open the door to check clearance. Then peel and press piece by piece across the full height.
Gather first
Car soap, isopropyl alcohol, a stack of lint-free cloths, painter's tape for numbering ten pieces, and a tape measure. No clips.
Timing
Warm, dry weather and a helper; about a day before washing. Ten pieces on an older truck is not a rush job, so leave yourself most of a day.
Care
Rinse road salt and mud from the lower body, especially after winter. A mild soap and a non-abrasive polish keep the steel bright; keep wax out of the seam where the trim meets the molding.
Not sure of your cab type? Quality Automotive Trims, 877-752-3811. SKU TH17985, UPC 691821314768.
TH17985 specifications
| Brand | QAA |
|---|---|
| Part number (MPN) | TH17985 |
| UPC | 691821314768 |
| Part type | Rocker Panel Trim, Full Kit |
| Pieces in kit | 10 |
| Material | Polished 26-gauge 304 stainless steel |
| Finish | Polished to a mirror shine |
| Width | 5" |
| Coverage / notes | Spans from the bottom of the molding to the bottom of the door |
| Mounting | 3M automotive-grade acrylic foam tape; installs directly over the existing surface |
| Origin | Made in the USA |
| Fits | 1987-1996 Dodge Dakota |
Fitment: TH17985
| Vehicle | Years | Body style |
|---|---|---|
| Dodge Dakota | 1987-1996 | Pickup Truck, Short Bed, 2/4 Wheel Drive |
Match the year, model, and body style in this table to your vehicle before ordering. Questions? Call Quality Automotive Trims at 877-752-3811 with your year, make, model, and body style.
Other QAA trim cataloged for the 1987-1996 Dodge Dakota
- TH17986: 10-piece Rocker Panel Trim, Full Kit
- TH17988: 10-piece Rocker Panel Trim, Full Kit
- TH17989: 10-piece Rocker Panel Trim, Full Kit
Check the body style on each listing; some kits are specific to one body style.
Installation tips: Rocker Panel Trim, Full Kit
- Unpack all 10 pieces and match each one to its position on the vehicle, using the product photos, before fitting any of them.
- Each piece mounts with 3M automotive-grade acrylic foam tape, so clean and dry the mounting surface first; the tape needs paint or trim free of dirt and wax.
- Align the piece and press it firmly into place directly over the existing surface, working along its full length so the tape bonds evenly.
- Fit one piece at a time and compare each with the product photos and the pieces already in place.
These are general tips. Follow any instructions packed with your kit if they differ.
FAQ: TH17985 Rocker Panel Trim, Full Kit
Which Dakota does TH17985 fit?
1987 through 1996, short bed, 2/4 wheel drive. The row names no cab type.
Does it fit the Extra Cab short bed?
That's listed as TH17989. Call 877-752-3811 if unsure.
How tall is it?
5", molding to door bottom.
How many pieces?
Ten.
Which Dakota trucks does it fit?
Yes, the row says 2/4 wheel drive.
