I will be moving from AZ to PA in just under a month. I will be loading the Dakota up with as much stuff as I can put in it. I checked allpar and they say that the '89 Dakota payload is 2,550lbs. The 3.9L has been rebuilt a couple of years ago. The clutch has been replaced during the engine rebuild and the manual trans seems fine. I am planning on throwing a big block and 727 and a bunch off tools in the back of the truck. Should I be fine?

 

Of course this is approximate, but:

440= 650 lbs dry
727= 250 lbs dry
Tools= 300 lbs (figure a few power tools, and wreches, jack, etc.)
Misc= 500 lbs (clothes, boxes of ancillaries, water, road side box, Family Guy boxed DVD set)

I say yes, but would caution 80 mph driving.

 

OK, Thanks. And the Dakota is a 4x4 if that matters.
I have a 383 so about 25lbs lighter or so.
And a small and medium tool box.

I was going to hold a steady 65mph. Help with fuel economy as much as possible.

 

is it clubcab or reg cab? unless you have a passenger i would say shove all the tools into the passenger seat(or in the back seat) it'll give you more room and you won't have to worry about them falling out of the bed of the truck. with my truck i've already hauled enough that the pile was taller than the roof of the truck and stuff would have fallen out had i not strapped it done real tight...

 

Regular cab short bed. I can put some stuff inside but not that much.