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Thread: upgrading my dakota

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    Default upgrading my dakota

    hi guys,
    i'm just getting to the point where i can start considering upgrading my regular cab '98 dakota. i'm an old school drag racer. my last car was a '73 swinger with a 440 and 4.56 gears. eventually it went a 10.90. i figure my truck is roughly the same weight as my dart. 3200 - 3500 lbs?
    i'm leaning towards a big block because the cheapest way to go fast is more cubic inches. i was thinking of using a 727 torqueflite with a manual valve body.
    i was also considering an 8.75 rear end with 4.56 gears. i guess i'm basically recreating my darts drivetrain. i was even wondering about using a body super stock springs.
    it won't have to be a daily beater anymore. i'm wondering if this is a good way to go? i like my smallblocks too. stroker motors intrigue me. opinions?

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    Your truck is 4000 lbs. Or so.
    11.27 @ 118.23
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    wow. really? oops i grossly underestimated that. thanks

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    krs1r/t's Avatar
    want more inchs STROKE IT

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    These trucks are way heavier then everyone thinks. People are always shocked to hear how much they weigh

    Bad Luck Truck
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    lol.it alwats seemed so easy to push

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    Full box frame from the back of the cab forward, Open C-channel back. Cross members about every 18" to include under the radiator.

    They're just fat heavy pigs.



    Big block swaps have been done. Everyone who's done one has said they wouldn't do it again. You can build a small block with all aluminum top end, and a little boost, and make an easy 700+ hp if you spend the money and build it right and tune it well. it will fit with off the shelf engine mounts, off the shelf headers, and leave you room to work in the engine bay.

    The only thing doing a big block swap does is make people go 'ooooh, wooow' when you open the hood.
    --Tom
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    As heavy as the frame is, it's a noodle, but I'd stick with the small block, I kill big blocks all day long.
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    Mark's Avatar
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    Super stock springs won't work on a truck. Caltracs and monoleafs.
    1999 R/C Solar yellow

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    These trucks are turtles!!!!
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    Quote Originally Posted by slammedR/T View Post
    These trucks are turtles!!!!
    But I would never change, the track announcer loves it, the crowd loves it, I LOVE IT...Granted it's not running 9's, but low 11's is a bad bitch up here, espcially running all motor.
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    wow. thanks. i have to admit i was kind of in love with the idea of a big block, but stroker small blocks make alot of sense. the last truck i did anything with a
    was a 1982 d150. long time back. we just clamped the front half of the springs and let the back half fan out.

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    I have shed about 400lbs by gutting the interior, wireharness, rear tire carrier and bumper. I am old school as well and trying some different things with the rear suspension. The 9.25 rears are strong...I'm using a Dakota one with 4.56 gears, 727 and a 4000 stall. I've got a '71 360 bored 30 over with 10.75:1 KB pistons and Eagle rods, internally balanced, reworked J heads and a Weiand tunnel ram setup on top. My truck is a .98 RC as well. I've boxed the rear frame in and moved the leafsprings to the inside of the frame allowing me a bigger tir without spring interference. I used a donor Dakota frame to box everything in allowing me to use the spring hanger holes on both frames for alignment and running 4"bolts straight through both frames on the hangers. I'm mounting the shocks ahead of the rear as well. Put a thread together as you build your truck...I'm interested to what it looks like through each phase.box frame back with leafs.JPGtunnel ram with edelbrocks.jpg
    Quote Originally Posted by russ446 View Post
    wow. thanks. i have to admit i was kind of in love with the idea of a big block, but stroker small blocks make alot of sense. the last truck i did anything with a
    was a 1982 d150. long time back. we just clamped the front half of the springs and let the back half fan out.

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    ^^^ Nice on the rear frame work
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    You can definitely get weight out of them if you don't plan on daily-ing it anymore. My CC is down under 3700 now after starting at over 4300...

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    My Tin Can is probably hovering around 3000 tp 3100 now....
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    I've still got power windows, stereo, carpet, etc. plus it's a CC lol.

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    I have a power window....
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    power windows, power locks, factory dash, carpet, door panels, all glass windows, all steel body
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    Quote Originally Posted by slammedR/T View Post
    power windows, power locks, factory dash, carpet, door panels, all glass windows, all steel body
    In the 1960s, the F4 phantom fighter jet was the US leading mig killer during Vietnam.

    It was big, fat, ugly, heavy. It's glide slope ratio was about 4:1. 4' of drop for every 1' of horizontal travel.

    Proof that anything with enough thrust can fly.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Filthy Filbert View Post
    In the 1960s, the F4 phantom fighter jet was the US leading mig killer during Vietnam.

    It was big, fat, ugly, heavy. It's glide slope ratio was about 4:1. 4' of drop for every 1' of horizontal travel.

    Proof that anything with enough thrust can fly.
    You calling my truck a pig with wings!
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    No. read again.

    The f4 didn't have wings. It had fins

    I'm saying your truck is a pig with tons of thrust
    --Tom
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    Quote Originally Posted by Filthy Filbert View Post
    No. read again.

    The f4 didn't have wings. It had fins

    I'm saying your truck is a pig with tons of thrust
    Oh, that makes it better
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    thanks guys. you;ve really given me alot to consider. nice to talk this over with other people.

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    Quote Originally Posted by russ446 View Post
    thanks guys. you;ve really given me alot to consider. nice to talk this over with other people.
    I've dumped close to 1000 lbs off my truck, with a "fairly" mild carbed 408 it would be running mid 10's with prep at sea level....But it still get's trophies when I enter it in car shows.

    Let me know how I can help.
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