[MoparDanno]

Try here

www.dakotart.com

Head to the forums. There are 2-3 guys there with 440 based 97-04 Dakotas... It IS doable. I think Shumaker even makes mounts for the swap.

Danno

 

[dana44]

Plenty of room in there to make a 383/400/440 and a few in between fit in there. And yes, Schumacher does make motor mount conversion for them.

 

[oldodge]

Thanks fellas, I was surprised at the amount of info available after following the link "trail" provided by Dano. It's looking like a winter kind of mod, I'll post the successes along with the oops for those interested in following such foolishness! lol

 

[MoparDanno]

Thanks fellas, I was surprised at the amount of info available after following the link "trail" provided by Dano. It's looking like a winter kind of mod, I'll post the successes along with the oops for those interested in following such foolishness! lol

I go by Danno over there too. I am pretty well known, so if you need specific info hit me up and I will see if I can get it from one of the guys that did the swap.

 

[patrick_austin]

I'd like to see what a 440 could do in a little old Dakota

 

[dana44]

I imagine it would do as well as an A body 440, maybe even handle a little better, especially if it is a short bed Dakota, weight is about the same, aero is going to be the downfall, heavier coils in the front may be a good idea what with an extra 200 lbs being on the nose of the truck (but it may simply get it down where it belongs, too).

 

[patrick_austin]

I heard that the first Viper prototype used a Dakota front end. If it can handle a 10 cylinder it can handle a big block

 

[dana44]

This may be, but there are two different front end spring available if not mistaken. One for the 4cylinder and 3.9, another for the 5.2/5.9. I know a 440 weighs about 80 lbs more than a small block and the aluminum 484 is only slightly more than a 5.2/5.9, so as long as you have the V8 coil springs, shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Bob Lincoln]

And 4WD Dakotas, up to 2004, I think, had torsion bar front suspension.

 

[dana44]

No torsion bar suspension on the up to 1995 that I know about, mine is just coil springs, coil against the lower control arm, not the top control arm.

 

[valiant67]

No torsion bar suspension on the up to 1995 that I know about, mine is just coil springs, coil against the lower control arm, not the top control arm.

2WD = coils, 4WD = torsion bars. From 1987 to at least 2004.

 

[dana44]

Aaaaaa, 4WD, mine weren't, I stand halfway corrected! Thanks for teaching me something.

 

[valiant67]

Along the same line, through 2004:
2WD used the coils and rack and pinion steering.
4WD used the torsion bars and a recirculating ball steering box.
I don't know about the 2005+ Dakotas

 

[dak4x4]

2005+ have coil springs over shocks, rack and pinion for 4 wheel drive.