So I'm currently driving my '93 Dakota and I have a '81 Chevy 1500 c10 that I bought as a project. Well my ideas on the project have taken a bit of a turn. As each day passes, I keep thinking I'm in over my head with how much body work the Chevy needs. My new idea is to take the newly rebuilt engine and trans out and slap it into the Dakota. I know it won't be easy, and I know what I'm in for, but what I'm looking for are your guys' thoughts. Should I or shouldn't I?

Just to give you guys an idea on the condition of the two, the Chevy needs a new cab (rockers rotten, cab corners rotten and floor is almost non existent), front inner and outer fenders, doors, a new box and some major front end work just to be driveable. Once that's all done, it would need a paint job and interior work. However the motor was just rebuilt 2 years ago and barely driven since, and the tranny was rebuilt a year ago, and again, barely driven since.

The Dakota, all it needs is one small hole patched on the driver side cab corner, and a couple things on the front end and it's good. The engine burns oil like a pig (even with the aluminum plenum fix), and the trans has no overdrive.

 

shouldn't be that bad of a job going to a carb'd , either get a regulator and setup fuel pump to run with key/relay and a pressure regulator, or disable it totally and put an inline low pressure electric(can always use the mechanical aswell) biggest adventure will be mounting and driveshaft , if your thinking this adventure you understand wiring enough i hope.lol

ive' dropped SBC's in90's rangers but never a dakota, didnt have the heart to dismantle a perfectly running dodge vehicle(rare in itself LOL)

anyway my current project is on hold yet again ( 91 Dak SAS build) due to pickign up a Jeep TJ , the poor 4 banger is gutless so you see were im going with this...

 

Well, at least you're not contemplating putting 4wd Chevy engine and trannie in your truck.

Nothing personal, really, but for all the trouble and expense of putting a Chevy engine and trans in, wouldn't you be better off putting a proper (and larger displacement) 5.2 or 5.9 Magnum engine in. Still a bunch of adapting to be done, but not as bad as putting in a completely different make engine and drivetrain.

And for the Chevy, wouldn't you be better off either abandoning it and selling it for whatever; Or, go looking for a cab etc. to transplant on? It isn't that overwhelming a project if it's not your daily driver.

 

My thing is I don't like body work. I like mechanical work and fabricating. As for dropping in a 5.2 or 5.9, I've contiplated that in the past, however is now have this chevy just sitting around with a basically brand new motor and trans in it. I'm also interested in the one off truck. As for the wiring, I am planning on taking wiring diagrams from the two and making my own.

As for fuel delivery, I'm planning on making the chevy tank bolt up in place of the Dakota tank and running the old mechanical pump.

The chevy isn't so much an overwhelming project as it is taking up space I don't have and I don't have anywhere else I can put it.

 

A Chevy 305 is not a desirable engine most people scrap them. I can see if it was a high performance 350, but a POS 305 it is not worth it. I bet the V6 Magnum makes more HP than the 305. Get a 5.2 or a 5.9 Magnum drops right in.

 

I decided not to go this route, not for lack of ability or anything, but the sheer realization that the Dakota is not gunna be good for this idea. The frame is rotting badly, it's paper thin in most spots. Rust on it from the front to the back. I guess I mighta gotten all I can get outta her. But for $150 CDN, can't complain right. I am gunna go through and do the chevy rebuild. Just gunna find a cab, front clip, and box for it. The frame on the chevy still has the factory paint under the couple of layers of mud it's covered in. Also probably gunna find me a 350 to put under the hood. Sell the rebuilt 305 for what I can, or keep it as a spare. But I'm not settling for anything less than a 4 bolt main 350

And at least it's not a ford, right guys! Haha just kidding Crazy. How u liking that thing anyway?

 

LOL, trust me I never thought I would ever own a Ford, but this one was a great deal for modern HP and MPG (18-20 mpg). It's great no problems, its coming up to a year I had it (04 F150 5.4 V8 4x4 Supercab).

Don't worry the Dakota is still there. I just welded up all kinds of leaks all over the exhaust system (removed and then welded). And rebuilt the AC system. It is nice to be able to have the truck down for long periods of time to take my time to fix it. It still puts a smile on my face to drive the Dakota, so much power!!!!

 

Yea it's nice when the vehicle can just sit while you fix it, and you can take your time. I heard the Fords were half decent, I just don't like the way they look.

I'd love to make something out of my Dakota, even keep it all Dodge, but even as it sits, if I get into an accident, the whole thing is just gunna fold up. At this point, I'm working with what I got, and this chevy is my childhood truck. Can't let it go, especially with the factory paint still being on the frame under some mud