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USAHAWK
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
11:12:06
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 Subject: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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Hello, I have a couple Dakota convertibles, and crave the power of the V-8 performance that is missing in the factory V-6 option of the 1989 and 1990 platform. I was wondering if anyone has compared the actual body panels of a 1991 to see how close they are to fitting. My hope is to find a nice 1991 V-8 4x4 and swap cabs so I would have a convertible V-8 4x4 with a longer wheel base. Thanks
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bakindak
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
11:22:18
|  RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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well USAHAWK, the 89 shelby dakota and the 90 Dakota 2wd had a 318 available for them. you can also use the 318 out of the 91 Dakota, but make sure you remove the clutch fan
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USAHAWK
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
11:29:51
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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I wasn't aware of that. I've had 8 of these little convertible trucks, and other then the 1991, I've never seen a factory V-8 convertible. I know the Shelby Dakota was a V-8, but there a bit pricey to buy and cut up.
You mentioned the 318 engine swap. Wouldn't all the electronics also have to be swapped. I wasn't sure about the speedometer, tachometer, electronic computer etc...
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
20:21:37
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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The pre-'91 (Gen I) Dakotas were designed for the V-6. Shelby made modifications to use the 318 in his models. The firewall was changed to accomodate the 318 by the factory in 1991 (GenII). I haven't heard of anyone using '91-up sheetmetal on a pre-'91. There is considerable Gen II info on DakotaUSA.com.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
21:33:28
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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The firewall was changed in the 91's? Why weren't they changed in the Shelbys? Did anyone happen to notice the stretch to the nose that happened in 1991? That's why the 318 fits with a belt-drive fan. 318's were NOT available in ANY 1990 model Dakota.
With three exceptions, the Shelby Dakota wiring is the same as the V6 Dakota. These exceptions are: the electric fan circuit, the throttle body temperature sensor, and the fog lamps. Run a flex fan with a 1 1/2 inch spacer and a different radiator (Summit sells them)that fits forward in the radiator support instead of behind it (different shape), and you're done. The V6 computer will run the V8 tbi since it's not as complex as the later multi-point injection models. Naturally, you'd need the 318 distributor.
The convertible ran for 3 years, not sure of the exact years, but around 88-91.
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
08:41:39
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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91-96 fenders,grill,hood and rad support will fit the genI daks the only thing thats different is the wires for the headlight[if they have capsile or seal beam
the fire wall was,nt moved back,dodge got the room by giving the front a more rounded look,
this gives you about 4 more inches for the fan,
then what the genI has,plus the genI,s used a pusher fan in front of the rad for the v8,s
so all you need is the rad support,grill,hood and headlight assembly,this will all bolt to the genI
fenders
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
11:20:29
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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Bingo Vern! My point exactly (regarding the firewall/front stretch issue). Isn't it amazing how so much mis-information is out there?
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Outlaw
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
18:19:41
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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To put a v8 in the gen1 fanwise all u really have to do is mount an electric pusher fan between the grill and radiator like on the shelbys. It will also make more power because its not turned by the motor.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
23:30:12
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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I know. I let my prejudice against electric fans get in the way. Ever since mine fried their relay (in a Shelby), I've had a pretty low opinion of them from a reliability angle. Now, from what I've seen, a lot of the newer electrics aren't so power-hungry. In the Shelby, those duals drew so much juice you felt it every time they kicked in. Down south, with the AC on, that was every few seconds.
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Outlaw
Dodge Dakota
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1/23/2004
23:48:40
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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Ya my camaro fried the relay so I just ran it off a toggle switch. You have to keep a constant eye on the gauges though. But when I was at a light a honda pulled up next to me and reved to get me to race. I just flipped the switch and gave him that I can beat you easily look and he saw that and the switch light up and figured Id armed a nitrous system. His face went white and he chickened out. Funny thing was I had a stock v6
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USAHAWK
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2004
01:01:10
| RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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Vern, then if I understand you correctly. I should be able to find a nice 4x4 91-96 with the V8 option I want, and slip the stock cab out, and slip my convertible cab in its spot. The doors will align with the fenders and the hood with the hinges? I understand there will be some wiring problems to contend with, but body wise, I'd be all set?
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Walt Felix
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2004
21:00:41
|  RE: 1991 sheetmetal fit '88-89
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Yes, the cab is the same. While Dakotas are commonly referred to online as GenI(87-90), GenII(91-96) and GenIII(97+), technically, they’re “N” body (87-96) and “AN” body (97+). It’s basically the same cab, fenders, doors and bed 87-96. In 91, the radiator support, hood, grill, front bumper and front valance were changed to accommodate the V8 option.
The Dakota convertibles (89-91) started life as regular cab trucks and were modified by American Sunroof Corporation who was under contract with Dodge. I understand they reinforced the back wall of the cab after removing the roof. I don’t know how the roll bar is attached but I would assume it’s welded to the frame for safety reasons. As you already know, there were also some modifications to the door to remove the window frames. Production seems to have been about 2,800 in 1989, 1,000 in 1990, and only a handful in 1991. Since it’s really a modified regular cab, the parts are interchangeable. I’ve seen one once where the owner cut the top off a 95 sport and installed parts off a totaled 89 convertible. I have a picture here. .
http://www.walt-n-ingrid.com/scan01.jpg
Even the Shelby’s started life as regular V6 Dakotas. Shelby removed the motors and installed stock 318 crate motors supplied by Dodge. The only performance modification was the installation of the electric fan because of the space limitation. It gave the motor an addition 5hp. I remember a handful of the 3.9s were on eBay a few years ago when Shelby motors was clearing out some warehouse space.
Walt Felix
Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.Com
http://www.MoparsinMotion.Com
http://www.Walt-n-Ingrid.Com
http://www.CruiseNights.Info
    
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