[89 convertible dak]

Im getting my hands on a 89 convertible dak. It been in the family and my kid brother killed the engine. Supposedly he added oil every time he ran it.
Its 2wd, v6 automatic in pretty good shape. Do I revive the old gal or give her some upgrades? Thoughts, feelingspictures.

I'm getting it towed up in a month so all im working with is picturez.

 

[Zaan]

If it needs an engine might as well go 5.9 or 5.7. Its not worth it to rebuild a 3.9 unless your concerned with keeping it all original.

 

[89 convertible dak]

If it needs an engine might as well go 5.9 or 5.7. Its not worth it to rebuild a 3.9 unless your concerned with keeping it all original.

I was thinking about going all the way and fitting a hemi 6.4L

 

[Zaan]

I was thinking about going all the way and fitting a hemi 6.4L

That would be a death machine. And I want one. do it do it!

 

[89 convertible dak]

That would be a death machine. And I want one. do it do it!

Well now that I have your permission hahaha. What else would I need to swap out to handle the power? I feel like the trany and drive shift wouldn't be able to keep up.

 

[Zaan]

Well now that I have your permission hahaha. What else would I need to swap out to handle the power? I feel like the trany and drive shift wouldn't be able to keep up.

If your going all the way to a 6.4 I would think a complete drivetrain upgrade would be what your looking at with maybe keeping the rear end. But you probably have the 8.25 and im not sure that would handle the torque. The 9.25 would be a better option and is available for a dakota, (I have one in mine) but you might want to research them more first to be sure they can handle the power you'd be putting down.

 

[89 convertible dak]

If your going all the way to a 6.4 I would think a complete drivetrain upgrade would be what your looking at with maybe keeping the rear end. But you probably have the 8.25 and im not sure that would handle the torque. The 9.25 would be a better option and is available for a dakota, (I have one in mine) but you might want to research them more first to be sure they can handle the power you'd be putting down.

Might as well make do a solid axel swap and go 4 wheel drive. Any tips on parts?

 

[Zaan]

Might as well make do a solid axel swap and go 4 wheel drive. Any tips on parts?

For a 4wd solid front axle swap?? Get a wrecked ram 2500 with a 6.4 buy the whole thing and swap the whole drivetrain over. Tons of custom work but you'd be able to run 37s with the right setup and not have to worry about breaking anything. Depends on how "off road" you want to make it, and how much you want to spend

 

[89 convertible dak]

Lots of custom work. I didn't think anything from. A ram 2500 would fit a gen 1 dakota.

 

[Zaan]

Lots of custom work. I didn't think anything from. A ram 2500 would fit a gen 1 dakota.

If your wanting ease of install and keep it 2wd you might consider going with a 360 magnum stroker. Not near the power but respectable and you should be able to get everything you need off a v8 dak with a 5.2l. Rebuild the trans so its strong enough or swap it out for something more robust, but pretty close to everything would be bolt on.
However as soon as you say 4wd your doing alot of front end work. They used the same frame but alot of pieces differ from the coil suspension to the torsion bar on the 4wd.
You could also look for a 4x4 dakota with a v8 and just swap the bodies.

just giving thoughts.