I was looking at Blazers and Jimmys, but they all seem to be either very high milage or way too much money. This came up, price is right, and it's got less kms than most of the blazers I've found. Besides that, a dodge V8 powered raider sounds sweet. Definately be posting some pics when I get going.

I was intrigued more by a Ford 302 (60 degree V8), rather than the wider 90 degree Dodge or Chevy stuff. Here's a link:

302 Link from this Board

I've been looking into that a little bit too. There's a video on youtube of a 302 raider drag racing, looks pretty quick.

Going to look at the Dodge again tomorrow night (haven't heard it run yet) if all goes well it might come home with me.

I'm pulling for the Dodge? Raider. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Huh? I thought all 221-260-289-302 motors were 90* blocks. They are right small, but I don't think they were 60's. The only Vee motors I've seen with that cylinder centerline angle were 6's. I don't think a 60* v8 will even work if I understand firing orders right (and I may not)..

Well I'm now the proud owner of a 1992 Dodge Dakota. Runs smooth as silk. had one little puff of smoke when first started up but hadn't ran for three months, and it went away in a couple seconds. Trans shifts nicely, and 4x4 works, though the shifter is stiff. Body is in decent shape, if I didn't like the raider so much I'd just drive the dakota. Pics are coming later this week.

Checked the drivetrain all out on the Dodge, everything seems to be in order. Transmission pan is a little rotten, I think I'll be replacing it, and the rear main seal on the engine seeps a little. Transfer case output on the front is leaking too. Just a few seals, no big deal when it's out on the bench. Drove it arround a little to make sure everything's working well, then tried it out in a little pit to make sure it will stand up to my driving style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-63FyocTxE

Now to start tearing it apart.

Style....

Uh, yeah... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

Took a whole bunch of measurements today, It'a going to be tight. Going to have to mod the rad support to move the rad foreward. Going to have to SYE the transfer case, as it is rear driveshaft will be 12" cup to cup on the U joints. I like where the engine is going to sit though, mounts are going to be in original location, center of motor will sit behind front axle centerline. Going to have about a half an inch clearance between the cylinder head and the firewall, though the firewall dips in where my distributor is so that will be ok. Going to have to find or have made a custom rad, and modify the rad support to move the rad ahead a few inches, may use the dakota rad support, as it curves foreward instead of backward like the raider. Still have to figure out what to do for a fuel pump and such.