2001 Dodge Dakota

[Patrick98]

Hey guys I'm new here and thought that I would make a build thread for my truck. It is a 2001 Dodge Dakota v6 that I inherited from my grandfather.
Here is what it looked like when I got it.




I then built a sub box and installed the sound system. I don't have pics they were on my last phone. I also removed the camper shell so that I could actually use the bed. About a year ago I lowered it 4 inches in the rear and 3 inches in the front but the springs only lowered it 1.5 inches because they are v8 springs. I was thinking ahead.

I bought a 360 magnum from a guy that said it had overheated and wouldn't start.

I tore into it and this is what I found. A bent rod.

The block was sent to the machine shop and bored .020 over. And I painted it Hemi orange.

I was planning on a hot street/strip 360 but after watching Drag Week and bench racing I decided to spend a little bit more and get a Scat 4" crankshaft to go along with the Scat rods and Keith Black pistons(that I have yet to order). Since I don't like having my truck controlled by a computer I am going to put a carburetor on it. I bought a Painless wiring harness p/n 10101. I also got a free Powerbraid kit with it.

I bought some Enginequest replacement heads and began to port them.
Before:

Not quite finished:


My goals for the truck(for now) are to run mid to high 11s in the quarter mile because I don't want to put a roll bar in it yet. I probably won't make Drag Week for several years because I just started college. I will try to make Power Tour next year though(assuming I can work fast enough)!

[BBR]

Watching this closely because I have been thinking about a Dakota with G3 hemi power for a DW truck!

[Patrick98]

I thought about a Gen 3 Hemi but I don't feel like making motor mount in addition to long tube headers and notching the crossmember. If you do get one get a regular cab. They weigh quite a bit less than extended cabs.

[BBR]

I'm tall so I definitely want the extra room. Weight is not a big deal. Just need to make more power. haha.

[DanStokes]

I LOVED my '98 Dakota - 5.2/auto extended cab. I'd still have it except the track moved to over the mountains and I didn't think the Dak would do well pulling Mutt the Race Truck to Ohio several times/year. No useful input on your build - just that I like the trucks.

Dan

[Patrick98]

What's the saying? One step forward, two steps back. I finished porting and polishing the exhaust on one head and was going to continue on to the other but I realized that the exhaust valve seats only had 2 angles on the other head. My dad broke out his seat grinding equipment and not a single valve seat is concentric to the valve guide on both heads. After correcting the seats I am probably going to have to put 2.02 valves in as the 1.92s sit too deep in the head.

[Patrick98]

I haven't updated this thread in a while but I have made progress.
The oil pump hits the main stud so I ground on it a little and cut the stud off and left the washer off.






I was tightening the oil pan bolts and got a little happy and broke the bolt off. This is the only time an easy out has ever worked for me.


For the valve train I used a Howards roller cam with factory replacement roller lifter, Crane cams rocker studs, Scorpion Chevy 1.5 roller rocker arms, Comp cams valve springs, and Ford 302 pushrods. My dad is working on making a stud girdle because the bottom of the rocker stud is 5/16.


I put an Air Gap intake and an MSD Pro Billet distributor on the engine but I can't find the pictures.
I have also installed a TCI StreetFighter shifter in the truck and can't find pictures of that.
I decided to install an Aussie Locker in the 8.25 rear end because it was quite a bit cheaper than a LSD and I didn't have to remove the carrier. I definitely recommend the Aussie Locker. I have abused it and it takes everything I've thrown at it so far. It also handles way better especially when going sideways and feels so much more stable.



That's all for now. I have been looking for a 46RH transmission. So if you are around southern Arkansas, north Louisiana, or east Texas and have one I will buy it.

[BBR]

Make sure you rtv that pan gasket at the rear cap! I just changed the rear main seal in out 98 Durango and did not put any sealer and it leaked like crazy. I had to take it back apart and fix it. It was a one-piece Fel-pro pan gasket. Neat gasket, I didn't think it would need any additional sealer, but it certainly did!

[Patrick98]

I RTVed the crap out of it because I don't want it to leak.

[TheSilverBuick]

II was tightening the oil pan bolts and got a little happy and broke the bolt off. This is the only time an easy out has ever worked for me.
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That is an amazing picture, so they do work sometimes!