Crossmember to bellhousing is tight so you'd have to narrow a rear sump pan.
Then you could mount the radiator on a roll bar in the bed of the truck with electric fans, like the desert trucks .
Seriously, I did a Dak swap - 4 to V8. There is definitely not enough room for a slant.
It's tight (lenghtwise) even for the V8. If you use a V6 or V8, you can use factory parts to make your life easier.

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O==\=/==O

"A mechanic is Somebody."
- Jim Preston

I got a measurin stick, a slant and an 88 Dakota ... a slant ain't gonna fit in it unless the radiator / core support is moved forward at least a couple inches.

don't know why everybody's so skeptical... I'd think that alas a tight fit I'd give it a shot. I hacked up all the electronics and $#!+ out of a short bed 94 caravan and removed even the FI.... and it ran great. (I used the V6 and not the slant bu you have more engine bay room in the dakota)

Me I'd love to see a /6 dakota and I'm sure you'll make it work!

FWIW get in touch with Schumacher's, www.engine-swaps.com they fab and sell all mopar to mopar engine transplant goodies. If they don't have a kit in stock they might be able to put one together for you... (altough maybe the kit will cost as much as the engine and trans... )

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

As much as I love the slant, it isn't a suitable powerplant for the Dakota for a number of reasons not the least of which is that it simply won't fit without performing major surgery on the firewall and core support. You'll be money and time ahead to drop in a 3.9 V6 or a V8. On the other hand, if you're determined to do the swap I have no doubt that it *can* be done; given enough time, money, and effort almost anything can be put into anything.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.