Hey everyone, i just picked up a 1987 dakota for $100 from my friend, and included was a rebuilt tranny (a new one in the truck) and a dishwasher (kitchen remodel)
started right up after sitting for a few years, considering its a 87 in alaska its in REALLY good shape body wise, runs smooth. i haven't torn into it yet i left it at his place for now (no room for my 3rd vehicle). adjusted the timing and gave it a quick look over,

at work we have a 1987 ram flatbed 2wd with the 5.9, it ran last year i was suprised how smooth it ran couldnt tell if it was on or not. (only used it in the yard, its front suspension is not roadworthy) i'm looking into swapping the 5.9 into the kota eventually, i could probably talk jerry into giving me the 1 ton.

just started reading up on the truck today and pricing out basic parts (as cheap and cheaper than the vw!!!) so any lil tips and info you guys feel like throwin at me on the 87 dakota and 1 ton would be much appreciated.

anyway just thought i would introduce myself, you can take a look at my 93 vw fox on the ak euro forum, its different and a badass fun lil car i will leave it at that lol. also have a 93 vetec prelude that keeps my garage company, havent driven it much sicne it was broken into in 07 and i bought the fox.
http://www.akeuro.com/forum/index.php?topic=3860.0 and http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...endID=26396711

i cant wait to see what the truck ends up being i'll probably find out by next spring

 

Welcome to the forum. Check out the FAQ and FAQ2 for info and modifying tips. Tons of info all over those two.

 

You got it for $100?!?!?!?!?!
Damn you did well compared to me when i baught my 87 and had to pay $1700 though we actually paid 1200 and a trade in and then a $100 added to that for epenses
Well let see some pictures of it and how good of shape is it in overall

 

Welcome to the forum. That sounds like a good deal!

The biggest problem you will run into with the 5.9 swap is space. The under hood area of the pre-91s were shorter since they did not offer the v8 from the factory. It will fit, but you'll have to get rid of the mechanical fan and put an electric pusher fan in front of the radiator.

 

So a 360 will fit without major modifications? Huh, well id still rather go with a modified 318, push out a good amount of power without getting to bad of mpg

 

The 360 and the 318 are externally identical to each other, so yeah, if a 318 fits, so does a 360.

 

If there both identicle why is the 360 known as a 360 because wouldnt that mean it has to be 360 cubic inches, in othere words what part is bigger if there identicle?

 

They are not the same. You need read carefully. "Externally it is the same". But not internally, the combustion chambers are what makes the engine size. It is just like a house. You can have 2 houses the same size outside. But inside the rooms can be different sizes.

 

The 318 is 5.2L with a bore and stroke of 3.91 x 3.31 and the 360 is a 5.9L with a bore and stroke of 4.00 x 3.58. So as Crazy4x4RT pointed out the combustion chamber is where the magic happens. You could theoretically bore a 318 to a 360 if there was enough meat on the cylinder walls to bore it, what like just under 10 over. So again as pointed out by my esteemed colleague, they can be identical on the outside and different on the inside.

Help me out here Crazy4X4RT, is that what they refer to as a stroker motor?

 

This is off topic and I don't want to get ZackN920 confused. So this has nothing to do with a stock engine. Don't pay attention to it.

A stroker motor has a higher stroke then came stock. Here is a chart of differnt bore and stroke. It is located in the FAQ2.



displacementchart-2.jpg?t=1241471791