As a new owner of my first dakota, I noticed that the 4.7 is offset toward the passenger side by like 2 inches, yet it seems there is plenty of clearance for it to be centered isn't there? Only took a short glance though. What do you guys think? Why do you think they chose to do that?

Sorry if I missed a thread that already exists about this. Having a hard time browsing with my phone. Currently out of town

 

I have never looked at it that close ..... but it may have to deal with the mounting of the transmission with enough clearance for the transfer case in the 4x4s, and then they just used the same mounting setup in the 2wd models. And also the front diff on the 4x4s isnt centered.

 

Its all about the slight angle they need to have on the U-Joints.

 

I saw a Gen2 Dakota on a hoist a couple of weeks ago and it looked offset towards the passenger side a good 4" maybe more. I assume for diff clearance, drive shaft angles, and maybe weight distribution? It was very noticeable though especially looking at it from underneath.