Hi all, I was thinking about getting an older dakota probably an extended cab sense im 6' 5" lol and i was wanting to build a street strip truck. I was going to look for one with a 318 in it already and buy a 360 block stroke it build it etc. and a 727 with a shift kit and stall converter. My questions are, has anyone ever done this and how hard is it? What rearend set up is best for the money and quality? Where can i buy a cage from? And pretty much any other advice is greatly appreciated. I will probably start this in about 2 to 3 months i wanna get my game plan together and some $$ first even tho it will probably change and be more expensive after i start it haha. Thanks guys!

 

What I would do is just do up the 318. uhh, as for roll cage. I haven't heard of any prefab styles. Might just have to do it yourself. Rear end options. The Chrysler 8 1/4 is alright. Plenty strong. But if you wanted more selection for posi carriers, get one out of a Durango. They are a 9 1/4 and are the same bolt pattern.

 

If you get a 92-95 Dakota V8 it will be an easy swap to go to a 5.9. I already done it. But to stroke it you will need custom engine management. In the FAQ2 we have a link to a company that can flash your PCM to power the stroker correctly. As far as your rear end it depends on which one you have. Most likely it is a Chry 8.25 Oval shaped cover, if so then it can take the power depending on the HP and TQ ratings. If it is a Octagon shaped cover it is a Chry 7.25 and that should be upgraded.

Cage WILL need to be custom, as well as just about anything else.

A lot more info is in the FAQ2, just a few posts above this one.

 

I'm most likely not going to use a PCM i was going to run a carb not a EFI system with a fuel cell, i know the 9 1/4 rear end is very strong and could probably find one for cheap in a junk yard. Has anyone every put a dana 60 under one? It would most like have to be narrowed but i want something strong enough to put up with the power im gunna throw at it. My uncle has alot of experience build stroker motors and drag cars but he has never done a truck and im just trying to figure somethings out lol.

 

I dont think they put the 7.25 rear ends in. Unless they were in the 5 bolt axle dakotas. The 8.25 will be good enough. Yea. If you run a carb, you will not have and computer hassle. And as far as your uncle. A motor is a motor. If hes stroked a car engine, it'll be the same for a truck. Just getting it in there is tricky. but like you said. if theres already a 5.2L in it. then the 5.9 should bolt up. Try and back the motor up with a decent tranny. Maybe 727.

 

The Chry 7.25 did come out in 87-96, service manual also states it. It was mostly on 4cly and some V6's.
Yes I agree a motor is a motor so the basics of building it is the same. As far as transmissions go, for the most power a manual transmission is best. Automatics use more up more engine power vs manuals. But with a drag racing purpose built transmission an Auto is best for consistency.

 

Yeah i was gunna back it up with a 727 with a stall, manual valve body and a pretty nice shift kit. I want it to be fast but also street legal all tho i probably wouldnt drive it on the street a whole lot lol. Assuming i would need to make custom mounts for the 727?

 

Maybe. More than likely just move the cross member if you can

 

Don't underestimate the 8 1/4 as a father and son team drag a big ole black Cordoba with a stroked 440 in it and Indy heads and still has the same 8 1/4 rear end that the car came with.