Anyone race a Dakota? How do i get some weight off of the front end? It is a 1988 model with a small block. Anyone make fiberglass parts for an 88? Thanks

I cut the core support up.Their is really nothing that heavy up front.I made my hole front end come off as one.Maybe 125 lbs.

the only thing in fiberglass,i have seen is a hood.i have an 88 dakota street/strip weighs 3370 race weight.that weight is with a 340 stroker/ 727 / 8 3/4.

I too have not seen any early dakota fiberglass parts except hoods. A one piece front end would be nice.
I have mine down to about 3300 also with no bumpers an gutted interior
95 dakota 440/727/8.75

AAR used to make a fiberglass front bumper ,I had one on
my 87 ,with aluminum bracket's it was a lot lighter.
Maybe they can still make one up for you ??? But It's not
listed on there site ...

Hey 8secDart ,what did you cut off your core support?
Or what else did you do to get weight of the front..
any pic's ?
Thanks

Here is some pictures.Mine is far from light.3,250lbs but the front end is not heavy.

Here is a few more!!

I was hoping to get my on going 93 Dakota project under 3000#
Small Block Aluminum W9 Heads,full roller 727 and 9"

I have the AAR Hood, Front Bumper and Roll Pan
I also Cutoff the core support and got busy on it with a hole saw 2,3 an 4"
Gutted the interior, putting the stock dash shell and interior panels and headliner back in, It just looks better.

I havent sectioned the front crossmember yet but it looks like a good place to remove some weight.

Very nice work...

You can get a fiberglass hood is all for the front end. My 88 Dakota weighed in at 3150 lbs with me in it and I weight 170 lbs fully suited up. No real weight taken out of the truck, except all the under dash wiring and instruments, and rear bumper.

Thats good news is that BB or SB

88 model, 3000 lbs. with 270 lb. driver, truck weight is 2720, 12 pt cage, W2 headed small block, 904 trans, 9" rear. Up front cut inner fenders out, cut hood braces off, remove hinges, remove metal under cowl, trim k member just like previous pictures from another poster, 2" lowering spindels, removed alot on core support, removed headlights and all hardware, remove hood latch, cut bottom half of frame rails (from bumper brackets to were roll bars attach), aftermarket steering colum, stock brakes, factory bumper, weld wheels, front runners, stock radiator. Cab mods, glass windshield, all others are lexan, doors gutted exceptlatch and latch handels, alum dash, one race seat, no headliner, no carpet, no factory dash. Rear, stock leaf springs, no tailgate, no bumper, weld wheels.

Guys,
Could you post some pics of your Dakotas - I have a friend who is contemplating building a smallblock Street/Strip Dakota. Drop front spindles or not? Wants to see how they look vs. std ride height.
Thanks!

Yes you need drop spindles.Looks like Chit if not!!! You can cut a 1/4 round out of the stock 4cyl srings and get away with it.I have drop pockets on my lower arms but there are coming off and drop spindles are going on.

challenger73400....Love your truck, mine is the same body style. Here's a pic with it dropped 1" front and back...Monoleafs and Caltracs w/ 1" blocks. I'd like to go lower, but it hooks so well I hate to mess with it...

Here is how mine sits i cut a full coil of 80 chevy 2wd 1 ton springs.
I cant go much lower with out smaller front tires or different headers the hooker a body fenderwells rub if i turn more than 3/4 of the way.