i have a 92 long bed dakota, both box side panels are severly rotted.... i have been balling this around in my head for a few months. i was thinking of cutting the panels off completely, reinforcing the inner panels, and getting wheel wells from a duely, bolting them on the outside and make it look like a step side truck...... may look stupid being a long bed, but i figured it would be different.

 

Each to there own. Iv had these kind of thoughts too. Iv even spent two days cutting, and welding up a steel Challenger hood to fit my Dakota.
I think if its done clean it may rock. You would need to run some fatter tires on he rear I'd think ?
I was going to do a short ext cab, and make it a dually. Looked good mocked up.
But I went away from that project.

 

yeah, i to am going a different direction unfortunatly i have lost interest in this build. and yeah, i was gonna go with 12 to 14 inch wide tires if i did that. i have access to all the tools i need to do the job, but time and funds are not on my side at the time. i had fun stuffing the 318 from my old 68 plymouth into this 92 dakota. it runs and moves, but i just don't have the time to do the paint work, and what little mechanical work thats left. i used the 3 speed 727 torqueflight that was on the engine as well, and turned that 4x4 truck into a 2x4. and made my own linkage to keep the column shift in the truck. i'm in the process of selling it if the buyer ever comes up with the cash. i'd really hate myself if i took it to the scrap yard with all the work and money i got into it so far. but i still may keep it.