the 2500 is a bit of a light weight, but as long as you aren't racing or towing, it should be more than adequate. a 4 door dakota with a load in the bed at the rated maximum has a 5 speed designed for it. i'd rather have the 3500, but if i already had a 2500 i'd make it work. whats a 2 door d series pickup weigh versus a 4 door dakota? i'm betting it's really, really close. as long as scratch resists the urge to go to the drags, or muddin' with it, it should be just fine. (as if you could keep mike out of the mud in the first place? please. )