Just bought an 87 Dakota 4WD truck 127,000 miles. If it lasts as long as the 93 (225,000 miles) we had before gifting it to my granddaughter, we’ll be happy
New Addition to the Fleet
- Thread starter 65 Dartman
- Start date
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Firstblood
Well-Known Member
Nice!
I've owned 5 Dakotas,
87 91 2000 2005 and a 2010 trx4 that was factory painted mango tango.
All great vehicles.
I've owned 5 Dakotas,
87 91 2000 2005 and a 2010 trx4 that was factory painted mango tango.
All great vehicles.
Cool! I love the little square trucks!
4spdragtop
Well-Known Member
Nice! There's an 86/7 ish around the corner from me owned by a little old lady(widow) that uses it for dump runs in the summer.
I want it, but not big enuf to pull my boat.
I had a 2000 Dak v6, loved it but gas guzzler lol.
Enjoy yer "new" wheels.
I want it, but not big enuf to pull my boat.
I had a 2000 Dak v6, loved it but gas guzzler lol.
Enjoy yer "new" wheels.
I’m still amazed at how well built (really overbuilt) the big three’s trucks from this era are. Made to be worked like a rented mule.
i had a think a 88 ,love dakotas 3.9 little under powered ,my 01 2wd 4dr was my fav ,my 08 4dr was under powered too
would love to see them build a new one i don't need the size of my ram 1500 but the hemi has all the power that i need
would love to see them build a new one i don't need the size of my ram 1500 but the hemi has all the power that i need
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
Nice truck Don! Is it a 318 or a 3.9? I've been trying to buy an 87 318 2wd short bed truck from a local guy forever....and he won't sell it. Just sits around in his yard with cans piled in the bed where people bring them to him so he can scrap em! He's a nice guy, but bought it new and won't let it go.
I hear a big block will fit right in those. lol
DieWilde13
Well-Known Member
nice one
I had a 95 reg cab shortbed 3.9 5 speed manual and while under powered it was a fun truck.
When kiddo number two was on the way it went bye-bye.
When kiddo number two was on the way it went bye-bye.
Hi JD - it’s the 3.9 with the feedback carb. Haven’t looked yet but think it’s a 2 barrel with the feedback carb not even a throttle body style. I wonder if the Sniper 2 can ve retrofited?
We had a 2.2 5spd sport that came in
In bright blue ...loved that truck
Had enough room under the hood to climb in and take a nap
The guy I bought my 323 had a bb dakota
In bright blue ...loved that truck
Had enough room under the hood to climb in and take a nap
The guy I bought my 323 had a bb dakota
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
I'd say that there is probably an adapter to make the Sniper fit that manifold. I remember that Mopar Performance used to sell aluminum intakes for the 3.9. I think they sold both a 2bbl and 4bbl version. A 3.9 is just a 318 with 2 cylinders lopped off the block...lol.
I’ll have to do some searching. It’s got some kind of brain box for the feedback crap. I’ve got a shop manual on the way with the factory wiring diagrams. That way I can see what’s what with the wiring
And split crank throws with a 112/128 firing order split. As far as the sniper goes, the distributor uses a three wire Hall Effect sensor and has no provision for advance, so, IIRC, should be compatible with the Sniper ECU. But you may want to talk to Holley tech support about the uneven firing order. It makes the 3.9 a great torquey little engine, though. They behave more like a Cummins than an offspring of a 318 V8.
Wonder if the Magnum intake fits
If the heads are the same I would look for a 2001 intake port fuel injection
And swap the ecu and harness
If the heads are the same I would look for a 2001 intake port fuel injection
And swap the ecu and harness
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Magnum Kegger would be impossible to adapt to the angle LA style head bolts. However, swapping 3.9 magnum heads, exhaust, and intake onto the 239 would work. I'm not brave enough to attempt swapping computer, under hood harness, fuel tank and pump assembly in blind hopes everything would be "plug and play", but it might be possible.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
Never knew that part! Thanks. My buddy that used to build NASCAR engines has talked about doing a 4-7 swap on SBC motors to pick up 20 or so HP.I know he got a special cam ground and swapped plug wires. I just nod my head like I know WTH he's talking about!
I have a lot of research ahead of me before I do anything. The shop manual I ordered ought to come in handy for research
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IF… you could find one of the old MP electronic conversation distributors with the offhand firing order, it would be possible to use a standard Chrysler electronic ignition system and use a four barrel adapter on your 239 intake. Maybe Ray @halifaxhops would know how to use the 239 distributor pickup, to fire a regular Chrysler ignition system. I also don’t know if it would be possible to convert the 239 distributor to vacuum a mechanical advance. Really all you would need is a V8 electronic distributor and the split firing order reluctor wheel to make the swap. You’d also have to adapt a conventional Chrysler electronic voltage regulator to the charging circuit, as charging is also handled by the computer.
Compared to our 93s computer with a lot of wire exiting it, there not all that many wires coming from it. The carb is a dinky little 2 barrel. Even a larger 2 barrel would likely be an improvement. I would be interested in what any electronically/mechanical savvy members might think.
No V8's in Dakotas until the front end got pushed out in 1991.
(Except Shelby)
A small block will drop in, but you have to put the radiator on the other side of the core support.
3.9 in my experience are not very consistent in power. Some have been real dogs, others have been screamers.
There's a yellow 02-ish crew cab with a 5.7 Hemi transplant, well documented on the net.
Don Garlits also has a modern hemi transplant Dakota. I posted pics after the show.
(Except Shelby)
A small block will drop in, but you have to put the radiator on the other side of the core support.
3.9 in my experience are not very consistent in power. Some have been real dogs, others have been screamers.
There's a yellow 02-ish crew cab with a 5.7 Hemi transplant, well documented on the net.
Don Garlits also has a modern hemi transplant Dakota. I posted pics after the show.
Without the feed back carb it will never run right
The little Magnum 3.9 run much better
But guess you need to swap heads
Then would think you need to go to the serpentine belt set up
Was my thought when I had mine
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