Dakota/ other projects are kickin my old A$$

I don't know if you've figured it out yet, 67Dart273, but there's a little trick to these Dakotas/Durangos. You can remove the engine or transmission separately, without removing the motor mount brackets or front axle (Though some sources claim it's impossible). I've done it, and it's faster than removing the front clip or pulling them as an assembly.

Remove the bellhousing bolts and remove transfer case, loosen motor mount/axle mount bolts at the axle housing, shove a pry bar in between the bracket on each side of the bell. Viola! You can now drop the transmission down from underneath and pull the engine out from above.

Granted, I was working on a 1st Gen, and I could use a Ratchet Wrench to remove the top bellhousing bolts, 2nd/3rd Gens are a PITA with the motor being tucked under the cowl. For those, you use a looooong extension with a wobble and a universal to remove the top bellhousing bolts