Hello all! New to this forum, and a new Dakota owner of an old Dakota. I have a '94 SLT that will be donating it's organs for major transplant surgery. I have a '52 Studebaker pick up body that will be mounted on this chassis. A couple things I am still researching:

Converting the auto trans to a 5 speed manual

Stroking and hot rodding the 5.2l Magnum with a goal of 400+ hp, and converting the EFI to a carb.

I reside in northern Nevada, and my area does not have any smog requirements. Since the Stude body has a clean title and VIN, they don't care what is underneath!

 

Should be a fun project.

2 or 4 wheel drive?

NV3500, or NV4500 for trans. (4500 is stouter, but, harder to find.....)

Pics! We want PICS!

 

Yeah, should have mentioned... going 2wd. Right now the Stude sits on an unknown GM/Dodge 3/4 ton 4wd chassis that was shortened (farm hack in Idaho) very poorly. This truck will have a pro street vibe. I will be looking for the Dakota 5 spd manual for the conversion, but won't rule out others if I can't find one. Not opposed to adapter plates, but was hoping to get away with a stock 2wd Dakota drive shaft.

 

Welcome to DF! Post your build progress in the 1st gen Dakota section.