Dodge Dodge Forum
Dodge Forum Dodge Ram
Dodge Forum   Dodge Classifieds   News   Photo Gallery   Calendar   Search   Contact   Sponsors
Dodge Recalls & TSBs   Dodge Lineup   Dodge Wallpaper   Dodge History   Dodge Timeslips   Member List   Register   Login

Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into project truck, would LOVE help and guidance.

  Printable Version
Dodge Forum >> Dodge Trucks >> Dodge Dakota >> 1st Gen Dakota >> Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into project truck, would LOVE help and guidance. Page: [1]
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into project t... - 5/8/2008 4:42:09 PM   
lenmeok

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 5/8/2008
Status: offline
Hey guys I finally got myself to fix up the truck my father gave me. It's a 1992 Dodge Dakota LE with the v8 Magnum. I love this truck but I would like to fix it up and get it to perform better as in better gas mileage but more on the lines of performance. Such as hp, torque, low-end, high-end, etc etc. Also cosmetically as you can see the flaws on it in the pictures below.

I need guidance on this journey because as of right now the only thing I can think of doing so far is a full exhaust system such as Flow Masters and/or a performance racing chip of some sort.

I use GTX High Mileage on this truck.

Here are a few pics and a short video of me starting it, (the video was taken about 6-8 months ago).





VIDEO OF ME STARTING IT


It currently has 23x,xxx miles on it and has a hood bra that covers the broken part on the
front part of the hood.

First question; Any suggestions at first glance? What I can do myself first. What I should start to do.


< Message edited by lenmeok -- 5/8/2008 4:53:28 PM >


_____________________________

-Stock-
1992 Dodge Dakota LE
318ci V8
K&N Air Filter (Not full intake lol).

Sony head unit, pioneer speakers, cliff designs speakers, 2 12" visonik subwoofers.
Post #: 1
RE: Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into proje... - 5/8/2008 4:59:55 PM   
Crazy4x4RT


Posts: 808
Joined: 8/10/2007
Status: offline
Crazy4x4RT's photo gallery
Looks good! I like the hood. Here are some preformace stuff you can do. Check this post. http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_1300430/tm.htm

_____________________________

93 Dakota Was 2wd 5.2 NOW 4X4 5.9RT 33x12.5 6in lift 1/4mile 15.259 85mph at over 1mile el 14.2 sea lv. http://www.youtube.com/user/truck93 "No truck should ever be lowerd! NEVER"

(in reply to lenmeok)
Post #: 2
RE: Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into proje... - 5/8/2008 7:43:16 PM   
jlbritt1


Posts: 47
Joined: 2/27/2008
Status: offline
For me, the first thing would be to take care of the rust. The door looks like it can be taken care of with some serious sanding, body putty, and paint. The rear wheel well will have to be cut, or the whole bed replaced; cutting it will be cheaper. It can then be replaced with some new metal or just some nice fat fender flares. I'd go with the flares if you're not that familiar with bodywork. Just have to measure and cut both sides the same to get it looking right. Beyond that, as far as cosmetics go, the truck doesnt look that bad. A LOT of sanding, a little putty, a decent paint job, and you'll have a nice looking truck to play with.

_____________________________

If GOD be for me, then who can be against me?

(in reply to Crazy4x4RT)
Post #: 3
RE: Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into proje... - 5/10/2008 7:23:19 AM   
lenmeok

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 5/8/2008
Status: offline
Crazy I don't really understand your post about the thread you gave me. It was a little confusing to me what you wanted me to see.

Jlbritt, since my older brother will be helping me out this summer with the truck him and his friend are going to fix the rust and I will tell him about the sanding, body putty and paint you told me here.

Question; I was wondering if I could replace my current muffler with a Flowmaster 40 Series.
             Right now the truck has a stock exhaust I believe because it was replaced about 2 years
             ago? Anyone have any insight on that issue?


_____________________________

-Stock-
1992 Dodge Dakota LE
318ci V8
K&N Air Filter (Not full intake lol).

Sony head unit, pioneer speakers, cliff designs speakers, 2 12" visonik subwoofers.

(in reply to jlbritt1)
Post #: 4
RE: Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into proje... - 5/10/2008 7:43:40 AM   
Crazy4x4RT


Posts: 808
Joined: 8/10/2007
Status: offline
Crazy4x4RT's photo gallery
I was just trying to show you the Performance stuff you can do. And chips dont work.
quote:

Well the mopar comp. will give more horsepower. I have one, Im guessing they say that because it might start pinging on some hard situations while towing. Just go to a colder spark plug and that will take care of it. I tow quite a bit and no problems. Its deffintly better than if I didnt have it. The jet chips are junk too. They can screw up your pins.(thats what happend to mine) To burn up. There was a post where others have had problems with them. You can do a search for a full list of problems. For larger throttle bodys you can go to fastmans.com, or any of these for any parts. Ebay.com summitracing.com jegs.com Moparperformance.com
Some stuff will not be listed under the truck. Rams and durangos have the same engine. You can try for them. Or just do a search by engine size and make. For injectors they are all pretty much universal. Do some research and find out what flow rate stock is and go up one or two. You mentioned body injectors. Im not to sure what that is. A typo? You can get colder plugs. The platnums dont do go with our engines. Use autolights 3223 some thing like that the site below has it. You can get Msd coil and wires and cap and rotor. You can get a 180 degree thromostat. Performance pullys will help but lower your alt. power at idle as well as cooling. Becafull if you buy some. A lot out there are 6 ribs while stock is 7. There are a few small cheep stuff you can do. Like a kegging the intake, which is basicly opening up the intake on the inside. Do a search for more details. Here is a good site for tips http://www.v8performance.com/tipsandtricks.htm
One more thing you can do to get more power is change your rear end ratio. Go lower (numaricly Higher) gears. That will give you more torque, which is good if your going to tow.
Then there is the enigne stuff like cams, 1.7 rockers, flat top pistons, You can deck the heads and block, and bore out the engine.
The exhast. Get headers. Do a seach to find them. Get a better muffler larger pipes high flow cat.
Hope all this helps.
And be best of all a turbo system OR A SUPER CHARGER. Or do an engine swap. Bad96 did a 3.9 to 5.2 and he did a great post on it.
There are tranny stuff like shift kits.
Try to stay away from anthing that adds stuff. Stick to replacing and upgrading existing parts.


< Message edited by Crazy4x4RT -- 5/10/2008 7:52:50 AM >


_____________________________

93 Dakota Was 2wd 5.2 NOW 4X4 5.9RT 33x12.5 6in lift 1/4mile 15.259 85mph at over 1mile el 14.2 sea lv. http://www.youtube.com/user/truck93 "No truck should ever be lowerd! NEVER"

(in reply to lenmeok)
Post #: 5
RE: Just registered! Turning 92' Dakota, v8, into proje... - 5/10/2008 6:33:10 PM   
Bad96_3.9


Posts: 361
Joined: 5/8/2006
From: Crawfordville, FL
Status: offline
Bad96_3.9's photo gallery
the flowmaster 40 sounds pretty good on these, i have a single in dual out on my truck with no cat. converter. here is a link to how it sounds   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyTrKplN0ZY.

_____________________________

1996 Dakota Club Cab 2wd SLT
Spray in Bed Liner
Custom Racing Stripes
3.9 to 5.2 Conversion!!!
Mopar Performance computer, K&N, flowmaster, no cat.
http://www.myspace.com/topher73

(in reply to Crazy4x4RT)
Post #: 6
Login OR Register now to post a reply to this forum topic.
Page:   [1]

 
 
Dodge Forums >> Dodge Trucks >> Dodge Dakota >> 1st Gen Dakota
Jump to:



Featured Sponsors
new used
Advertising Info

Car of the Month
May 2008
2003 Neon SRT-4

Ride of the Month
May 2008
2005 3500 QCLB Laramie Sport 5.9L CTD Auto

Poll
Now that you've seen the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8, what do you think?
I Love It, Its Perfect
I love the looks, but hate the transmission
I like it, but I want the concept interior
I like it, but I want the exact concept exterior
Its ok, but the concept was far better
Thanks, but I look forward to some changes on the 2009 models.

Poll Results
Previous Polls

Top 10 Posters
dustyloins20386
badstratrt20284
midnight16848
vipergts14303
dodgegirl1913072
ramfan5.912398
steve05ram3611138
nickoman0110860
drew9991
casper9604

New Vendors
ATI ProCharger
Motor City Auto Parts
Sonic Electronix
Buy Auto Truck Accessories
Buy Car Floor Mats
Access Roll-Up Cover
AMSOIL - Performance Oil Technology
AMSOIL - Performance Oil Technology
Royal Purple
DodgeChallenger.com

Harley Davidson | Ford Mustang Forums | Dodge Challenger

Dodge Forum .com is not affiliated with or endorsed by Daimler Chrysler.