what to modify next
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Canada
what to modify next
I am well on my way to finishing up painting my 92 dakota and was wondering on what would be good to do after I paint it rebuild my transfer case (leaks like a bastard anyone know a good write up on the NP231s?) and change my clutch/pressure plate/ throwout bearing (makes a sweet grinding noise when my clutch is disengaged lol). Also have the 2 inch body lift kit on order along with an electric fan setup.
I am part way through smoothing out my throttle body and I plan to do my intake manifold next from there I am not too sure what to do next I was going to make a bumper but I am not happy enough with my welding yet to do that.
I am thinking about modifying my intake after my manifold to finish that up. I notice all the performance intakes have no pipe or anything like the stock ones have and just are open anyone cut away most of the stock one to open up the filter? would this just end up sucking in hot air from the engine? I am thinking all these modifications should wake up my little 3.9 a bit and they are pretty much free.
I am also thinking about getting a front hitch winch and wire up some dual batteries (saw a good deal on the diode box required) think the dual batteries would be a waste? I'll post some pics of my throttle body and truck getting ready for paint tomorrow for those who are interested.
I am part way through smoothing out my throttle body and I plan to do my intake manifold next from there I am not too sure what to do next I was going to make a bumper but I am not happy enough with my welding yet to do that.
I am thinking about modifying my intake after my manifold to finish that up. I notice all the performance intakes have no pipe or anything like the stock ones have and just are open anyone cut away most of the stock one to open up the filter? would this just end up sucking in hot air from the engine? I am thinking all these modifications should wake up my little 3.9 a bit and they are pretty much free.
I am also thinking about getting a front hitch winch and wire up some dual batteries (saw a good deal on the diode box required) think the dual batteries would be a waste? I'll post some pics of my throttle body and truck getting ready for paint tomorrow for those who are interested.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,923
Likes: 19
From: NM
LOL! You got a lot of questions. I will try to answer them all.
What color are you painting the truck?
Most of the links and info are in the FAQ + FAQ2 in this section. Also the service manual will have detailed instructions with pictures you can download it from the FAQ.
For a 231 check out this post. It is swap but it shows the internals.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...w-parts-d.html
As for making a bumper, it is not to hard just do all the cutting fab work your self. Just Tack the pieces together, then take it somewhere to get it welded up. Try www.craigslist.org lots of people will trade for other type of work or stuff. Post up pics!!
As for for the intake, the tubes are called runners. They are there stock for the best low rpm performance (Remember it is a truck). The performance intakes don't have runners due to moving up the HP on the RPM range.
The intakes can be modified easily it is commonly called the Kegger Mod!
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-mod-diy.html
As for the throttle body, for a V6 it is best to get a V8 throttle body. Don't bother messing with the stock V6.
As for the air filter, you can get an open filter but it will be sucking in the hot air from the engine. A few people have cut out the sides of the stock filter, some flit up the top to make a crack to get more air in. Some flit over the bottom. The stock filter setup is a cold air intake, a K&N will help the air flow.
I have the open air filter and top. Here is a pic of mine.
A good modification is to remove the stock engine driven fan and install an electric fan setup.
As for more performance stuff you are looking for are you planing only on cheep ones. Tons of other stuff you can do for more $. Check out the FAQ2 for TONS of ideas!!!
As for the dual batteries, it is only worth it if you will be needing the extra battery power. I had dual Optima yellow tops. (I donated the 2nd to my new vehicle) When my Dakota was my DD I was putting it to the extremes at work, on weekends ect. I needed the DB setup.
The best way to hook up dual batteries is to use the Isolator on it. So one battery will not drain the other, this is great for constant radio use or for mixing battery makes/ sizes/ year that it was made.
As for the hitch there is no direct kit. Custom made is your only choice. I made mine. See the first post. This is copy and paste from the FAQ2.
Front Hitch
________________________________________
There are no Front hitch kits made for the 1st Gen. But I custom made my own.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...ont-hitch.html
Or you can try a 2nd Gen. front hitch. I don't know how much more customizing you might need to do to make it work.
http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2000_Dodge_Dakota.htm
http://www.realtruck.com/product/108...tch_31097.html
http://www.autoanything.com/towing/6...79975&kc=AFFCJ
________________________________________
As for the winch on the hitch check out my post my winch. Here is a copy and paste from the FAQ2. For the winch a good alternator is best. A 120amp or higher. I got a 140amp.
Winch
________________________________________
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...lbs-winch.html (Front hitch mounted 10,000lb)
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...1-winches.html (2,000lb front hitch mounted, 3,000 wireless rear hidden winch)
________________________________________
If I missed anything check out the FAQ and FAQ2.
What color are you painting the truck?
Most of the links and info are in the FAQ + FAQ2 in this section. Also the service manual will have detailed instructions with pictures you can download it from the FAQ.
For a 231 check out this post. It is swap but it shows the internals.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...w-parts-d.html
As for making a bumper, it is not to hard just do all the cutting fab work your self. Just Tack the pieces together, then take it somewhere to get it welded up. Try www.craigslist.org lots of people will trade for other type of work or stuff. Post up pics!!
As for for the intake, the tubes are called runners. They are there stock for the best low rpm performance (Remember it is a truck). The performance intakes don't have runners due to moving up the HP on the RPM range.
The intakes can be modified easily it is commonly called the Kegger Mod!
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-mod-diy.html
As for the throttle body, for a V6 it is best to get a V8 throttle body. Don't bother messing with the stock V6.
As for the air filter, you can get an open filter but it will be sucking in the hot air from the engine. A few people have cut out the sides of the stock filter, some flit up the top to make a crack to get more air in. Some flit over the bottom. The stock filter setup is a cold air intake, a K&N will help the air flow.
I have the open air filter and top. Here is a pic of mine.
A good modification is to remove the stock engine driven fan and install an electric fan setup.
As for more performance stuff you are looking for are you planing only on cheep ones. Tons of other stuff you can do for more $. Check out the FAQ2 for TONS of ideas!!!
As for the dual batteries, it is only worth it if you will be needing the extra battery power. I had dual Optima yellow tops. (I donated the 2nd to my new vehicle) When my Dakota was my DD I was putting it to the extremes at work, on weekends ect. I needed the DB setup.
The best way to hook up dual batteries is to use the Isolator on it. So one battery will not drain the other, this is great for constant radio use or for mixing battery makes/ sizes/ year that it was made.
As for the hitch there is no direct kit. Custom made is your only choice. I made mine. See the first post. This is copy and paste from the FAQ2.
Front Hitch
________________________________________
There are no Front hitch kits made for the 1st Gen. But I custom made my own.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...ont-hitch.html
Or you can try a 2nd Gen. front hitch. I don't know how much more customizing you might need to do to make it work.
http://www.etrailer.com/fmr-2000_Dodge_Dakota.htm
http://www.realtruck.com/product/108...tch_31097.html
http://www.autoanything.com/towing/6...79975&kc=AFFCJ
________________________________________
As for the winch on the hitch check out my post my winch. Here is a copy and paste from the FAQ2. For the winch a good alternator is best. A 120amp or higher. I got a 140amp.
Winch
________________________________________
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...lbs-winch.html (Front hitch mounted 10,000lb)
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen-...1-winches.html (2,000lb front hitch mounted, 3,000 wireless rear hidden winch)
________________________________________
If I missed anything check out the FAQ and FAQ2.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Thanks you did answer most of them 
I did see the kegger mod that is what I was planning to do. I also have a fan on order with a thermostat hopefully that comes soon. I do like to run the stereo as I am working on my truck for most of the day I always hook a battery charger up to it to do this but the dual batteries might help with that perhaps I'll go ahead with that there was a dual battery isolator aon sale at princess auto for like 40$.
With the V6 I don't want to do much to it because I plan to get a V8 at some point I was going to do it this summer but had an incident with my car that required most of my funds for suspension and rims... damn curbs lol. The throttle body is half done now so i should just finish it up.
Hmm I think I will open up my intake I'll post a pic when I am done and see if there is any change in acceleration.
Will the kegger mod raise my power band to higher rpms aswell? I don't want to only have top end I already have a little car to rev like mad.
Thanks your post was helpful
Ohh ya painting my truck a dark blue.
I did see the kegger mod that is what I was planning to do. I also have a fan on order with a thermostat hopefully that comes soon. I do like to run the stereo as I am working on my truck for most of the day I always hook a battery charger up to it to do this but the dual batteries might help with that perhaps I'll go ahead with that there was a dual battery isolator aon sale at princess auto for like 40$.
With the V6 I don't want to do much to it because I plan to get a V8 at some point I was going to do it this summer but had an incident with my car that required most of my funds for suspension and rims... damn curbs lol. The throttle body is half done now so i should just finish it up.
Hmm I think I will open up my intake I'll post a pic when I am done and see if there is any change in acceleration.
Will the kegger mod raise my power band to higher rpms aswell? I don't want to only have top end I already have a little car to rev like mad.
Thanks your post was helpful
Ohh ya painting my truck a dark blue.
Last edited by Nathyne; Jul 19, 2010 at 01:19 AM.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,923
Likes: 19
From: NM
The other thing on the dual battery is good luck finding a spot for one. I bolted mine up sideways under the bed. Optima batteries can be mounted any direction. When I get my new 2nd battery I was thinking of mounting it next to the stock battery in the tray and turn them both sideways. The tray will need to extended and braced for the extra weight.
In theory with the Kegger mod it will shift some power from the lower RPM to the higher RPM range. But I suspect it is not much at all, when I did mine the loss was not noticeable.
Yes super easy swap. The only thing you want to look for is the cable hookups. Make sure you get one with the same as yours. The hookups changed as the years went on.