OK guys I'm am planing a well due overhaul for my Dakota, rebuilding it from ground up basically. What i want to know from you guys is 1 where to find nice aftermarket parts that don't break the bank. 2 I want to completely rebuild the engine and twin turbo/supercharge(haven't decided yet) it. Is there a block i should look for or should i just use the 3.9 v6 block that came with it stock(rebuilt of course).

thanks for reading

 

dont use the 3.9. do a 5.9 swap. or just find a 5.9 dakota.

 

x2, get a 5.9, and either turbo or supercharge that, you wont regret it! I am in the process of rebuild a 5.9 now and am setting it up for a little boost!

 

thanks for the info guys, i'm on the look out for a 5.9 then , now i want to know if there's anywhere on the intenet that i can get nice parts for my dakota that doesn't break my bank. and if i get that 5.9 is there even a twin turbo kit for it(that's the route i have decided to go with it) or am i gonna have to fab up one???

 

whats the budget and whats your level of expertise?

 

well i went to school for this kinda stuff for a year and been working on cars for about 2-3 years(i don't know everything but am not an idiot), but i have lots of buddies that know a lot more than i do so I'm learning new stuff every day. the budget......well lets just say i work at mc donalds lol. but i don't care if it takes a while to do, it'll be worth it in the end. this isn't something i plan on doin over the weekend, its more of a learning experiance and getting a cool Dakota in the end lol

 

If you hunt swap meets, craigslist and ebay, you can find some good deals and piece a kit together for a reasonable price. If you want something that comes in a kit, your lookin at some serious coin!! I picked up a Garrett GT287 ball bearing turbo, most of the piping, and an intercooler for $350. The turbo I got is capable of around 475 hp in a fairly built smallblock. When it is all said and done, with the custom computer tuning, the engine build itself, and all the accessories I will have around $3500 in just the motor. You add a tranny that can handle that power (I will be swapping to a manual transmission) and your looking at even more money. As far as experiance goes, read, and read, and read some more. You would be amazed at what information you can find just by reading a little!

 

yea, the haynes manual i got for it has a lot of info that I've been just skimming through. and random stuff on the internet. but I'm learning as i go, i feel the hands on approach (for me that is) is the best way to learn so i figured this would be the best way to do it lol. but i think I'm good with the info on the motor now the body, what i want to do is new suspension, make it sit real low, what i plan on doing is making the truck a drift truck, it'll be different but that's what i like about the idea. nothing on the streets though(i'm not stupid) strictly pro event stuff. that's what I'm planning on doing as a profession. so any tips and tricks from you experienced guys would help.

 

If your wanting to run as a drift truck, then you will want +2 a-arms and control arms, coilover's and make sure they are adjustable. As for the rear, you might as well just tub the rear cause you will need a nice low profile wide tire, you will want as much stability as possible. coilover's and a 4 link setup will work best for the rear. Dont forget your cage, strip the interior as much as possible, but still keep it comftorable, 5 point harness, racing seat, etc....there is ALOT more that goes into it than what one relizes!

 

If you start getting into building the suspension like it should be. This would be a HUGE project. Just incase you didn't already know. You would end up doing a lot of fab work including notching the frame. Then building a tt setup isn't cake either. I'm not an expert in this stuff but I helped a body do a small turbo build and it always is more expensive and takes longen then you will ever think.

I don't want to discourge you by any means. This would be a fun build to watch. I just want you to know this is a big deal. But I think you already know that... I hope you end up pulling it off because you will learn a ton, that's for sure.