Here is my dilema...

I have my 4x4, which I've turned into quite a nice truck IMO. Now I have this '95 2wd v6 Dakota sitting in the garage. I got the truck for cheap, and was told it did not run (I bought it for a parts truck for the 4x4). Well after a couple evenings and $5 more, I got it running. Now I'm torn between two plans...

1) Repaint the new truck, put some tires on the set of 2nd gen 16x8 wheels I have in the garage (just like the ones on my 4x4) and use it as my daily driver while I do some bigger project on my 4x4, including the 408 swap later this year, custom built traction bars that won't hinder it's flexing ability (I have a design already planned out), build my planned lift kit I've talked about before (but would require too much down time than I can afford without a second truck), build the custom bumpers I've talked about before.

2) Keep my 4x4 the way it is right now (I'm pretty happy with it and I've put a LOT of work into it), and use it as my daily driver like I'm doing now. Repaint the 2wd and drop in the 408 with a 5 or 6 speed manual in it (and sell the v6 and 42rh), lower it 2-3 inches and put on fiberglass leaf springs, traction bars, 50-50 rear shocks, 90-10 front shocks and build a 6 point rollcage.

Basically, the deciding factor between the two projects is... which of the two trucks would the built 408 provide the most benifit (and fun)?

 

make the 2wd into a race car (408) big tires in the back, smaller ones in the front so its tilted a bit like a promod. tear every import a new one at stop lights

 

Lol, that is basically the idea in plan 2... build a race truck!!! The fiberglass leaf springs and traction bars would pretty much stop any kind of axle wrap. The 90-10 shocks in the front would transfer the weight to the back FAST! 90-10 shocks mean it takes 9 times more force to compress them as it does to decompress them, so when the truck torques back while on the gas, the shocks will let the front end pick up much faster. My 4x4 can put the average import to shame, but not like the truck in plan 2 :P

 

I am incredibly biased. Ill say that up front.

To me a truck is a truck. Its meant for hauling things, towing things, getting dirty, bloody, and muddy. NOw ill admit I enjoy the fact that my truck doesnt take 20 minutes to accelerate, but they arent race cars. So I would put the bigger motor in your 4x4 assuming you think it would do you some good. get your lift the way you want it and piddle around in the 2wheeler as your dd.

 

408 in the 2WD.

 

408 in the 2wd and go blow the ricers off the road and to the junkyard

 

I say: the reason I went with 408 in 2WD is... the 3.9/auto is lacking.
You already have a V-8 in your 4WD, and you said you pretty much have it where you like it.
I think the 408 would most benefit the 2WD. Less driveline drag than 4WD, etc. etc.

 

Yeah, I'm liking the 2wd project right now too. I'll lift the 4x4 higher when the current tires wear out and its time to get new ones, cause if I lift it I need bigger tires.

 

i would definitely use the 2WD for the 408 and build a race truck out of it. thats what im doing with mine, except im gunna try to keep it somewhat of a dd with a 390 in it. the 318 is enough power for the 4x4 to make it through almost anything.

 

also which one you planning on using as a daily driver, the 408 is gunna go thruogh gas fast but the 318 dosnt have quite as much power unless you modded or your planning on modding it and are you gunna drag race the one with the 408 becuase it would suck *** to drive it on the street all the time with the power under the hood without being able to blow someone away while worring about the cops