Picked up a decently rust free 1996 Dakota SLT club cab 4x4 with a 3.9. 145k miles for $1750 with a sticker. Shes got a bit of engine rattle (timing chain) but the 4x4 works. I'm looking to do light off roading, 31s, 2" lift, maybe a locker.

What are some key places I can beef up? I don't tow. I put a 230lb motorcycle in the bed, thats it. I hear the 42RE is super weak, are there any replacements, hop up parts for it? (mine infact just puked all its fluid out in my driveway. Line broke?) Are there any direct bolt on trans besides the 42re that would be more durable for offroad use? Can the 42re handle 31 tires? -Thanks!

 

If you tear down the 42re, you can build it up to 44re specs easily enough (the 44re just has more clutches for better retention and longer life).

And I wouldn't call it super weak - take care of it, and it'll handle a LOT more than a 3.9 can dish out!

The fluid puking is probably a line, like you said.

The 42re can handle 31's, but you may want a stiffer ratio pair of diffs to handle the torque loss.

GOOD NEWS! Being a 1996, it's OBDII, and therefore much easier to query when something goes wrong and easier to tune than my 1988 is!

RwP

 

Ive found my old dakota to be pretty tough. Ive replaced a lot of wearable items like balljoints and ujoints but no major break downs or anything. And I offroad fairly hard. Ive got a torsion key and 1.5" lift blocks in the back. Had to cut some of the fenders to make my 31s fit without rubbing offroad. Still rubs a tiny bit when Im flexing