I built a Pro Street '87 Dakota short box back in '89. I don't know if I was the first to do this but it was sure a popular ride when we went to car shows or cruise nights.
It had a semi mild 440/ 727/ 2X4 tunnel ram/ 2 stage nitrous kit (lots of chrome and polished aluminum)
A narrowed 8 3/4 rear- 323 sure grip/ ladder bars/coil overs.
The front suspension was a Just Suspension set up - 2 " drop spindles - short coils, and a stock rack and pinion.
Inside the p/u box was all polished aluminum/ 16 gal. fuel cell /relocated battery(in polished aluminum box)
The 2"X4" back half, oil pan, headers, and engine / trans mounts were all hand fabbed by myself. Routing the headers was a major pain but doable.
I tucked a set of round Flowmasters behind the sills due to clearance issues.
The interior was basically stock bench with a roll bar, tach & guages, and a B&M Quarter Stick.
I painted it "Extreme Red" base clear whichwas later used on the first Vipers produced, now called Viper Red. I know I was the first to use the Viper Red colour because it was just formulated about a week before I painted the truck.
It was used primarily for show. We did manage to win a lot of trophies with the little truck and it was a blast to drive. For long distance shows I towed it with a matching colour GMC dually and matching colour open trailer.
My wife got two major speeding tickets with. I sold it in '97 or '98 to help fund a SS/BA project.
A few years after I finished the little truck Mopar Pewrformance came out with an off-the-shelf conversion kit to add a Hemi or 440 in the Dakota.
Unfortunately I only have hard copy pictures of the little beast.
What do you need to know? Shoot me an email and I'll answer your questions.
sscuda
