"Shorties" have no panel between the front door and the side door.
I believe that's what we see in the pic.
We've had several 3.9's in Dakotas and the seem to be inconsistent with power.
A couple have been almost as strong as a 5.2 and a few have been WAY less powerful.
I don't even think it was related to mileage or care.
5.2 OTOH is pretty consistent.
I see 90's vans cheap around here.
I wonder if a 70's grill and fenders would bolt on?
That van body didn't change much during it's really long run.