Super dakota build

[dodgedifferent2]

So this all started as my daughter saying she wanted a small truck. May have been many years of me saying it.

So we found this 96 dakota 2wd reg cab short box with a leaky 3.9l auto with unknown mileage. (Dash broke) for $400 ... I have someone that wants the 3.9l for his 84 d50.

It has some rust issues on the frame and some rot issues in the fenders.



Next up I have been digging for parts while I tinker with the hot rod.
I got some 16 inch 2nd gen rims for a wider tire. Also dragged home a 9.25 axle from an 04 dakota with LSD and 3.55.

Picked up a cleaner box.
Found a topper that was part of the Martha Stewart collection (aka junk/garbage pickup day) needs the latch mechanism repaired

Now the fun begins.

Took the bed off


Now I started to dig towards engine and lift the cab off to clean the frame and fix the one known rust area.



Also got the crazy idea that a mopar 383 big block and 727 was a great idea for the dakota.


That's where she sits now.

 

[dodgedifferent2]

So after I got everything apart and while lifting the cab off the chassis on to the forks my fingers got in the way.

15 stitches later and a fractured ring finger I went back and finished the lift with one hand.

 

[dodgechargerfan]

Dakotas bite?

Who knew?

 

[dodgedifferent2]

No engine. And suspension disassembly.

Frame repair



I then sandblasted the entire frame with my small princess auto (harbour freight) sandblaster. What a pain in the ass.!! Picked up a can of Zero Rust, similar to por15 but half the price. Started to paint frame components.

Here I slowly assemble. Waiting for the upper control arm bushings to arrive. Then I can install the giant pogo sticks. (Springs)



I sand blasted all the hardware in the sand blast cabinet at work and powder coated them. A few bolts I had to grind off, so I will have to scrounge for replacements during assembly :-(

 

[dodgedifferent2]

So I have been thrashing.

Got the big block mounted into frame with my own mounts.

Threw the rad support cab and front fenders on to see how the exhaust situation will work.
Thinking I may just go fenderwell headers from an A body. Then possibly do some custom inner fenders. Still debating.
Will see what I scrounge up at moparfest.

 

[dodgedifferent2]

The pics worked now

 

[dodgedifferent2]

So I sand blasted the underside of the bed and coated with zero rust.

Installed bed. Now waiting for patch panels.
So i will get back to swapping the cracked dash for one in better shape.
The dash may be a waste of time since I will have to wire up everything to work without the pcm

 

[Jester]

This looks like a lot of work and fun. Keep the updates coming.

How's your hand DD2?

 

[dodgedifferent2]

The finger is all healed up but somedays it can be tender still.

I bought set of b body headers for $100 and put them into the dakota.
Driver side fit like a glove. Passenger side was more complicated.
Cut and lots of welding later.

Started on patch panels for the bed.

 

[Jester]

Wow, nice work with the headers. Looks like artwork. You have skills.

I believe this forum is just about to put the second foot in the grave...

 

[dodgedifferent2]

Slowly working the bedsides with body fill and smoothing out.
I was given a gallon of roll on bedliner. So I rolled it on.

While I was waiting for body fill to dry and inner fender patches to cool I was curious what the hood would look like with a scoop.

I really wanted a challenger TA style scoop, but I was not going to pay 500 bucks for a scoop.

 

[moparnut]

Slowly working the bedsides with body fill and smoothing out.
I was given a gallon of roll on bedliner. So I rolled it on.

While I was waiting for body fill to dry and inner fender patches to cool I was curious what the hood would look like with a scoop.

I really wanted a challenger TA style scoop, but I was not going to pay 500 bucks for a scoop.

Hmmmm.

Maybe. Right now it looks like you’ve for two sets of nostrils.
Need to mock up the grille to get a better idea.

 

[dodgedifferent2]

Seen this 89 style dakota at moparfest


Here is one with the scoop

 

[71dusterman]

Keep at it. It's looking great. At least someone from the board seems to be making progress and not totally forgetting to check in from time to time. A lot of missing souls out there.

 

[Stretch]

That's a lot of drop on the #6 pipe. Did you have to go under the cross member?

 

[dodgedifferent2]

Due to this covid stuff everything has been chaotic for me.

I worked part time for a hosta farm during the first lockdown.

Finally had some time to tinker.
I decided to cram the v6 back into the dakota while i scrounge up big block components and save some cash.

I painted the truck myself. Its not perfect but its nice. It does need a good cut and polish and that should make it glisten better.

Assembling the truck and sorting out wires. Didnt plan to reuse motor so i just snipped wires. Now sorting those out.

Also have to get a new catylitic convertor as the old one was toast, but it had a new cat back exhaust on it.

Found some other wheels for $100 so i powder coated them myself.

 

[dodgedifferent2]

A pic i took one night admiring.

 

[Dr.Jass]

No shame in that paint whatsoever, man. Like you said, a little cut 'n' buff and it'll look great!

 

[Jester]

Lookin' good! nice rims for 100 bucks

 

[dodgedifferent2]

More pieces of the grill.
Slowly coming back together.

Bumper should be here next week sometime.