Hey Everyone!
I just bought my Dakota and I love it. '94 4x4 SLT. Reg cab, long box, mint condition. I'm an enthusiast and I would like to get the most out of my truck.
Any way, I want to learn as much as i can about thig tricks, quirks and otherwise about my truck. Anything to get more mileage or more horsepower.

I have some questions:
- I would like to sub out my dash and put one in that has a tach. Just wondering how hard that would be?
-I've heard the '93's had bigger exhausts, and put out 180hp, vs my 175hp. Was there substantial gain in milage or was this a matter of detuning them?
-people seem to suggest the V8 throttle body for better performance. I have a feelign there more than meets the eye here?

I don't want to pour cash into it, still gotta finish paying for it, but I would like some more GO out of it.

 

also, people have said the 180* thermostats....maybe that was more for the 4.7's?

how about CAI? It looks like a decent intake thus far, maybe some heat wrap would help.

are there any performance chips/ECM changes that can be done?

should i look to scrap yards to help in my work, and what are good aftermarket places for these?

thanks all!

 

ok ok, I know this shoulda probably been in the gen 1 forum...
(sorry mods)


So what i get with what i've done, is there is really not much to do to get alot out of these engines, because of the older design, and I should live with it if i don't want to invest a ton of cash in my truck. just run good oil/plugs/air filter?