Can I use the OEM Dakota fuel pump?

Are you going to mount that pump externally? If so not a good idea, those in tank pumps are intended to be cooled by the gas in the tank.
If you can mount it internal to the fuel tank, duplicating the factory install, it will be fine, OE fuel pumps are reliable and as you mentioned, not expensive to replace.
No definitely not externally mounted inside of a 15 gallon fuel cell is what I'm thinking access from the top OEM style mounting


The reguator is built into pump.
Thats the large metal piece on top of the housing. Those pumps will run 175 psi when regs go bad. I have replaced regulators in the past.
Dont know if they can still be bought separately.

I just priced A complete unit from Amazon for $70 shipped to my door