1991 dakota short box v6 5 speed 4x4, going to pull body off and install a 1954 ford truck body on frame, i would like to know if it is possible to bolt up a 350 chev to the 5 speed transmission, is there a bell housing adapter that would work ?(who sells) or is it worth rebuilding the 3.9L , i would carb the 350 , also wheel spacer size for rears to match up to front tracking width ,any in put ,thanks !

 

Cool project. I guess the first thing to figure out is what transmission you have. If it is a T5 I'm sure there is a adapter kit available .... seems some Dodges had the NV3500 .... probably a kit available for it.
You just need to know what transmission you have so you can find correct parts.

Why would the tracking width front/rear change? The width should be fine for a 54 Ferd. ..... The length is what you need to worry about, may need to shorten the frame to keep the wheels inside the fenders.
Check the wheel base.

This is a common swap for old Dodge trucks to go on a 90's Dakota frame .... They have the correct width.
Or often a chebby S-10 is popular. .... the S-10 would probably be a better choice for your 350 engine.
Would be easier to go with a junk yard 360/318 for the Dakota frame.
If you want to use what you have, chebby motor, Dodge frame/transmission, Ford body ..... it will work .... it just takes work to fabricate everything.

 

thanks for the reply would the serial number tell me the transmission type? yeah the front wheel tracking is wider than the rear,,ill do some measuring ,the truck(s) are buried in snow right now,i just thought if some one out there knew the spacers ,i would watch if they came up on facebook market place, The wheelbase is ,dakota 1 inch longer , perfect fit. Who sells these adapter plates for trans to engines thanks

 

Thanks for the reply,would the serial number tell me transmission type ? Yeah the front wheel tracking is wider than the rear , i will do some measuring,the trucks are buried in the snow right now ,i just thought if someone out there knew the spacers i would watch if they came up on facebook market place .The wheel base is perfect fit ,Dakota being 1 inch longer (short box),do you know who sells the engine to trans adapters? THanks again

 

Advance Adapters can probably hook you up to put any engine/trans combo in there you like.

Keep in mind, the trans that came behind the v-6 is not the stoutest, and probably won't live long behind a v-8..... Think I might be more tempted to put a 5.2/NV3500 in there.....

 

I spent a minute today trying to figure out what transmission comes in a 1991 Dakota .... carpart.com does not give you a option for a manual 4x4 .... seems there is only one type available. I have no idea what it is though, I also did a quick 2 minute search at summit racing for transmission adapter kits .... seen several for over $1K that include plate and clutch/pressure plate/bearing ... all the needed goodies to bolt in .... worthless information without knowing what to search for.

It does bring to mind though the old saying ..... Sometimes free is not cheap.
You might be money ahead to sell the Dakota trans/transfer case and buy a chebby that will bolt to your 350.
Or sell the 350 and buy a engine that will bolt to your transmission.
A 3.9 V6 is a decent engine, there are trick parts available for them .... it will match the existing drive train ... axles included.

Just depends on what your end goal is

 

The transmission in the 87-91 V6 dakotas is a NV2500. Its a very weak transmission...... In 92 dodge switched to the AX15, with the addition of the new magnum V6 motors.
The 3.9 from 87-91 is a very weak 125hp motor, and there is nothing available to modify it with, ie: intakes, cams, better heads, pistons, headers, ...... nothing.
And even if you did something such as getting the cam reground, there is no way to tune the TBI injection system.

If it was my project, I would look at a 5.2 magnum engine or better yet, a 5.9 magnum. These started in 92 (5.2) and 93 for the 5.9. and go through about 2003?
Edelbrock makes a intake (7577) that will allow you to remove the fuel injection and run a 4bbl carb of your choice.
For ignition, you can use any distributor made for any of the SBM engines.

For a transmission, I would get a NV3500 These were the 5 speed used in all of the V8 dakota's and all the V6 dakota's after 1999, until they went to a 6speed.

When I modified my 87, I considered a chevy 350 or LS engine, but conceded I would at least have to use the GM transmission, and at that point was not sure what else would need modified or built. But FWIW I do like GM drivetrains...... there is so much more available for them and usually at a better price.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Oh, and post pictures!! we love pictures!

 

thanks so much for all the info!! i was excited about the 4x4 idea with the 54 ford body , maybe its not worth the effort, v6 ,weak tranny, i do have another (89 dakota 2 wd) frame ,i could put the body on and go 350 4 speed auto ,i guess mmmm not sure......