Dodge Dakota Goes Back in Time with Vintage Studebaker Body Swap
This 1995 Dodge Dakota is in non-running condition, but it’ll soon donate its chassis and other parts to a very cool vintage model.
The Dodge Dakota debuted back in the 1987 model year and managed to survive through three generations before it – along with most mid-size pickups – was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2011 model year. Back then, automakers were convinced that truck buyers wanted full-size models only, and chose to put all their proverbial eggs in that basket. Today, that has changed in a big way as many mid-sizers have made a comeback, but that doesn’t include the Dodge Dakota. However, one DodgeForum member is doing something quite unique with his 1995 model.
That member is known as “TheSneeze,” and has been documenting his build in this thread for a few months now. He already owned a vintage Studebaker pickup that he has aspired to get back on the road and modernize somewhat, which led him to come up with a pretty genius idea – why not take a 1995 Dodge Dakota pickup and simply swap the entire Studebaker body onto its frame, making for an instant restomod of sorts?
That old pickup was initially in decent shape, and was equipped with a non-running 318 cubic-inch V8 mated to a manual gearbox, though it obviously needs some work. Further complicating matters is the fact that the OP’s shop burnt down some time before this project could resume.
Rather, he was already working on it prior to that disaster, which unfortunately claimed the previous 1994 Dodge Dakota donor he was in the process of tearing down for the same purpose.
Since the Dodge Dakota and Studebaker pickups have exactly the same wheelbase and other dimensions that are similar, it made that particular model appealing to the OP, but he doesn’t plan on utilizing the truck’s old powertrain.
Instead, he caused a bit of a stir in the forums by revealing that he plans on going with a GM Performance LS376/525 V8 mated to a 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission, sending power back to a Ford 8.8-inch limited-slip rear differential.
That may not win over too many Mopar fans, but the OP notes that he had one of these engines on the dyno previously and it laid down 544 horsepower and 503 pound-feet torque, which is quite stout. Regardless, this is one seriously cool project that’s about to get back underway now that the OP’s shop is being rebuilt, so be sure and head over here to keep tabs on its future progress!
Photos: DodgeForum
Join the Dodge Forums now!
