WOndering how much drive train diff there is between the two.

 

Engine and transmissions are the same in the same years. The axles are different. 90's Dakota Chry 7.25 front and Chry 8.25 rear.
Ram Dana 44 front (8.5in) Chry 9.25 rear

 

Any idea how much wider the ram axels are compared to the dakota axels in the 93ish to 96ish era?

Always though it would be nice to have a dakota with 5.9 w/ manual trans with the suspension and complete drive train (front and rear) from a 1/2 or 3/4 ton.

 

Not sure what years you are considering but I know the 96-99 auto trannies differ in the housing, the rams have larger bosses on them making it difficult to install them in the dakotas as far as tranny lines, also the motors mount differently in the 2.