Does this sound right?

Year dependent, I thnk there is an issue with the Dakota's rear and the anti lock up diferential having a recess area for the magnet. (Which send a pulse so the computer can read it is still spinning, or not releasing the brakes so theres no skiding.)

Otherwise, I do beileve they swap over easy. Double check the year of the dakota to see if the bracketed years of the rear wil work.

On backlash, I'd purchase a tool to measure just to be sure. While it is possible to just swap it in and go without doing so, while your there, it'll take 1o minutes to check and make sure vs. doing it over again a year later.