Dakota vs Ram

I'm building a 39 Dodge pickup. At this stage I'm ready to pickup a donor truck motor and trans. I'm going to stick with a mopar setup, but I'm a newby at anything mopar. I'd like to stick with a 318 or 360 with an auto for good cruising. My question is - are there any big advantages to either the Dakota or the full size Ram? Also if I find a good unit with 4x4,how much trouble am I running into to keep just a 2 wheel drive? I'm using the stock frame,sheet metal,etc. Sorry to be so long winded. Thanks for ANY help I can get.

Given the choice of 381 (5.21L) or 360 (5.9L) I'd go with the 5.9L, but why not consider a late model Hemi? A takeout with engine, tranny, wiring & computer is easy to find, given the wide range of applications that use them (Jeep, Charger, Challenger, others). If you're wanting to go the donor truck route to get more than the engine & tranny, you don't want a 4x4. The transmission in the 4X4 is built to interface to the transfer case, giving outputs to both rear and front differential. To change it to 2WD you'd have to swap out the tailshaft unit to get rid of the transfer case interface.

Thanks for the info Roger. I hadnt given it a lot thought about the hemi,but I will do some measuring and see if it would fit. I like the idea. I kinda figured that a 4x4 would give me a hassle with T-cases and such. It just looks wide to me,but I have not done any research or measuring on one. With a 318 or 360, I've seen other mopar small blocks done in some older dodge trucks,so I know it will work. But its been quite a while ago and I've forgotten the details. Wish I were younger!!!

Pretty sure the Dakota 318 was the same engine as the Ram 318 so it probably does not matter.. The Dakota R/T had the 5.9L which may have had a little more punch than the Ram being it was a sport truck.

A 318 is a 318 regardless what it sits in, and it's the same engine that we had back in the '60's with some upgrades for emissions requirements. Both the 318 and the 360 topped out in OEM trim at 230HP, but the 360 gave you 325ft lbs vs 280ft lbs from the 318. Torque is what you feel in the seat of your pants, so the 360 is a better choice if you can't go Hemi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_(truck)

The 318 is the most reliable engine ever made, you can't go wrong with one. As for the 4X4 trans, you have to swap out the tail shaft and housing, which requires total disassembly. Not worth the effort when 2wd trucks are common. I would go for the 360 myself, as stated, more torque and power.

Hemi, Hemi, Hemi, Hemi

I did a same vintage sedan with the 5.7 Hemi, fits fine. Things do get a bit tight around the front of the engine to the hood sides. Stock frame rails, added the crossmembers and boxing plates. Good fit and great power!!!!

Good lookin' chassis & engine there, Dave! Like Jerry said, Go Hemi!!

notice this thread is a few months old but to clarify If its a 4spd auto behind the 5.2/5.9 you do not need to tear the whole trany down to convert it to 2wd its just a matter of unbolting the overdrive/tailhousing and swap it out for a 2wd version

Sorry,5.9, that doesn't work. the output shafts are different, 2WD to 4WD. Been there, tried that!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by R Pope

Sorry,5.9, that doesn't work. the output shafts are different, 2WD to 4WD. Been there, tried that!

---

The trans in the pic behind that Hemi isn't a RH, and sure doesn't look like a 46re either. So the above post is probably true. But in a 46rh, 47rh, or 518, and even the 46re, 47re, they interchange. Which as 5.9desoto posted the 4 speed autos behind the 5.2 and 5.9's, you can swap the OD housings from 2wd to 4wd. You can not swap the OD housing from a RE to RH and vice versa. The RE's OD housing is shorter than the RH's and 518's.

The intermediate shaft is the same on them and the planetary gear set in the OD assembly slides on and is splined to the intermediate shaft. The output shaft is seperate and not an issue. You literally remove the OD housing bolts and slide the OD assembly off the intermediate shaft. There is a metal snap ring on the intermediate shaft that can cause some resistance, but that is pretty much the jist of them.

The trans output shaft, that drives the OD, has a different part # in a 4WD trans. The Mopar mechanics all insist that it won't work, but it does seem a tad strange that they would make them different just for the four by four.