My Ramcharger is a great off-road rig. But it is a little rough around the edges. Most of the issues could be dealt with, but I started thinking about building a new off-road rig. Something newer, more reliable, with some creature comforts, like - heat, A/C, seating for 4, fuel injection, etc., and maybe something a bit smaller and lighter. I considered TJ's, LJ's, and JK's, I even mentioned putting some Dana 60's under a Quad Cab Dakota.
I wasn't really looking, but last summer I happened across a perfect (but incomplete) project rig - and the hardest work was already done.
I bought this 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Sport, 3.9L V6 2wd. Yes, 2wd. But it had A/C, an automatic transmission, 1 ton axles (Ford kingpin front Dana 60, Ford 10.25" Sterling rear axle) and 37" MTR's. The 1-ton axle swap used leaf springs and was very well done. The truck was still 2wd (no transfercase) but I drove it for a couple months before taking it apart. It runs great, and drove very good. The previous owner had re-geared the rear axle from the stock 4.10 to 4.88 - but I think it would be better suited if it had 5.38 gears, that V6 needs some more RPM's in order to turn the 37's.
I wasn't really looking, but last summer I happened across a perfect (but incomplete) project rig - and the hardest work was already done.
I bought this 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab Sport, 3.9L V6 2wd. Yes, 2wd. But it had A/C, an automatic transmission, 1 ton axles (Ford kingpin front Dana 60, Ford 10.25" Sterling rear axle) and 37" MTR's. The 1-ton axle swap used leaf springs and was very well done. The truck was still 2wd (no transfercase) but I drove it for a couple months before taking it apart. It runs great, and drove very good. The previous owner had re-geared the rear axle from the stock 4.10 to 4.88 - but I think it would be better suited if it had 5.38 gears, that V6 needs some more RPM's in order to turn the 37's.