I know a guy that put a small block in a D-50. He put the radiator in front of the core support to gain space.

I just looked at the passenger compartment side of my Dakota's firewall to see if I could make space on the back end. The heater assembly is pretty big for not having AC and the truck needs a heater. If this were a race project it would be no problem getting rid of the heater and fabbing a recess for the firewall. If I really wanted to put a slant in my Dakota I could probably use a smaller aftermarket heater, but it's probably not pratical to do on a budget.

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Joshua

Could somebody tell me how a question about a volvo rear end, for an early A-Body generated an in depth discusion about Dakota , slant six swaps.
As to the wheel pattern working, I had a Volvo 145 , if I remember correct a 1973 mmodelthat I ran Diplomate Cop Car wheels on.
Just wowonderedf anyone else had done the swap. I'm going to go for it, will let you know how it turns out.
As to the multiple post about slant sixes, cummins diesels, or big blocks in Dakotas, I don't have a clue, but good luck.

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66 Valiant, 225.
84 Van, 225.
71 Maxi-Van, 318
60 Valiant wagon, 225
87 Maxi-Van, 318 4spd

I put a slant 6 in a 1983 Volvo 240 a couple years ago. I drove it for about a year. It did okay. I think the rear end was a Dana 44. It had 3.91 gears. Not real highway friendly. I did have to have a driveshaft custom made. It worked pretty good. The only wheels I could find cheaply that had the Volvo bolt pattern were off of a Taurus or Sable. The center hole needed a slight enlargement. I did have similar thougths about using the rear end in an A body. Should work. Good luck.

Sure about the model year of that 145? My 1973 model year Volvo 145 got a flat once when my girlfriend was driving. I could not bolt on a big bolt pattern Rally wheel I took with me as the pattern was larger than that of the Volvo.

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Joshua

I've been very happy with my Dakota. It's given me good service with minimal downtime. My only complaint is fuel consumption but it is a V8, 4X4 and pretty loaded with options so I guess it's to be expected.

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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.

I know my brother's '98 Volvo has a 5 X 108mm bolt pattern. He damaged one of the wheels and went with a new set. I checked it out 'caus I liked the old wheels, but they wouldn't fit anything I had; FWD or RWD.

Mike

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Recognized by US Federal Courts as a Fuel Economy Expert!

Yeah, put it in the bed. Mount a massive rollbar w/a spare tire in there, too. On the front put a wrap-around tubular bumper and an 8-gauge skid plate. Lift it about 5' into the air w/ some ridiculously tall wheel/tire combo. Oh, dont forget the dozen or so "Off-Road" lights that you'll have blazing 24/7, giving off the impression that you're helping create the sequel to "Close Encounters..."sorry, just having a 'hill billy' flashback.

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My wife said "NO!"