New here. Looking for advice for multipurpose build

[Starter123]

Hello new to the group.
I have a 5.9 magnum that I am lookin to rebuild and drop into a first gen 4x4 dakota.
I would like to hear some opinions on witch direction I should take this build.

I would like to have a reliable engine I can tow small loads with and take to the track if I get bored, but somewhat decent in fuel mileage.

I understand the contradictory of the post just curious on where the balance is. Best advice Ive heard is a 408 stroker kit with a small turbo, but that may be a little too much for what im lookin into.

Thanks in advanced

 

[68sprtsat383]

Welcome

 

[polywideblock]

G'day from Australia

 

[Starter123]

Howdy

 

[Mopar Hunter]

Welcome to FBBO!

 

[T2R9]

Welcome!

A stock 5.9 magnum will do the trick just fine. First gen Dakotas are super light and respond to a little bit of power. I had a 96 318 magnum 5 speed with 3:55 gears and it was a blast.

 

[mr. b]

welcome to FBBO from Pa

 

[ckessel]

Welcome from the central coast of Cal.

 

[Starter123]

Thank you for the advice.
Today I was gifted a dana 44 and dana 60 so now Im thinking of a SAS dakota.
The more options I have the less I kind of want to leave it stock.

 

[HD539]

Welcome from Washington State.

 

[Budnicks]

Welcome to FBBO from NorCal Sierras

I have a 2nd gen. 1999 Dakota SLT 4x4 w/5.2ltr Magnum/318
with a bunch of bolts-ons
stock barrel EFI manifold & injectors, TB (may later change to Holley 53mm)
Harlan Sharpe 1.7:1 roller rockers/pedestal mount style
(stock on a 5.2ltr or 5.9ltr Magnum/s are 1.6:1)
AEM airbox & gauze cone type filter w/4" polished alum. air intake tube
AEM 1/2" swirl spacer under the OE Throttle body
Hypertech tuner, & some Edelbrock "chrome headers"
Flowmaster 3" cat-back Delta-50 Series exhaust,
probably about 300hp (now) in a 4800lb truck
Open Country 32"x11.5" MT tires, still with the 3.54:1 gears
(will go to 3.91:1 later, when I put some 33"x10" tires on it)
all of it really woke it up, especially the rockers & exhaust
I drive it, anywhere/4 wheels great too,
now with 62k miles on it, it does the job just fine
& I live in the sticks/mountains of Sierras

go to 1.7:1 rockers & a decent flowing exhaust & headers, it'd be fine
if you go with a carburetor, & alum intake, the LA 318/340/360
& the 318/360 Magnum are different
Magnum has a vertical bolt patter, in a different spot,
as opposed to the std LA's like 45*...

 

[Starter123]

Welcome to FBBO from NorCal Sierras

I have a 2nd gen. 1999 Dakota SLT 4x4 w/5.2ltr Magnum/318
with a bunch of bolts-ons
stock barrel EFI manifold & injectors, TB (may later change to Holley 53mm)
Harlan Sharpe 1.7:1 roller rockers/pedestal mount style
(stock on a 5.2ltr or 5.9ltr Magnum/s are 1.6:1)
AEM airbox & gauze cone type filter w/4" polished alum. air intake tube
AEM 1/2" swirl spacer under the OE Throttle body
Hypertech tuner, & some Edelbrock "chrome headers"
Flowmaster 3" cat-back Delta-50 Series exhaust,
probably about 300hp (now) in a 4800lb truck
Open Country 32"x11.5" MT tires, still with the 3.54:1 gears
(will go to 3.91:1 later, when I put some 33"x10" tires on it)
all of it really woke it up, especially the rockers & exhaust
I drive it, anywhere/4 wheels great too,
now with 62k miles on it, it does the job just fine
& I live in the sticks/mountains of Sierras

go to 1.7:1 rockers & a decent flowing exhaust & headers, it'd be fine
if you go with a carburetor, & alum intake, the LA 318/340/360
& the 318/360 Magnum are different
Magnum has a vertical bolt patter, in a different spot,
as opposed to the std LA's like 45*...

View attachment 1734853

Oh wow thank you beautiful truck.
What was your goal for this build?

 

[Budnicks]

Oh wow thank you beautiful truck.
What was your goal for this build?

just a good driver, a lil' more power than stock
it was lacking here at elevations
(actually gets lil' better milage than stock too,
in OD like 20 hi-way at 65-70, 15-17 combined)
& still be able to go wheeling & still be dependable
so far so good, had all the parts on since like 2001-ish ,
it had like 19k miles on it when I did it
has 62k miles now
I love that lil' truck

 

[Starter123]

Thats awesome I appreciate the insight.
I have a 99 rt as well and that little truck has never let me down. Now I want a 4x4 equivalent that I can get out and explore with.

just a good driver, a lil' more power than stock
it was lacking here at elevations
(actually gets lil' better milage than stock too,
in OD like 20 hi-way at 65-70, 15-17 combined)
& still be able to go wheeling & still be dependable
so far so good, had all the parts on since like 2001-ish ,
it had like 19k miles on it when I did it
has 62k miles now
I love that lil' truck

 

[Jerry Hall]

Welcome from Alabama

 

[6PKRTSE]

Dakota's are fun projects. I rebuilt a 360 for my Son's 99 Dakota 4x4.

 

[Starter123]

Dakota's are fun projects. I rebuilt a 360 for my Son's 99 Dakota 4x4.

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Beautiful truck. How much was the engine rebuild? Did you just rebuild it or fully upgrade?