new project take 2

Going to get after this 57 D100 short narrow box again. It's on a 79 frame now but it just doesn't look right. So I picked up a 94 Dakota and I'm going to start over. The 94 has a 318 magnum automatic and is fairly low mileage so I think it will be a good starting point. Hopefully the air conditioning, cruise and other goodies will make the trip. Anybody know off hand if the Dakota gas tank will work when I take about a foot out of the length of the frame?

Depending on what wheel base the Dakota is, you will probably have to take a section out between the wheels. The area right in front of the gas tank is an easy place to shorten the Dakota frames. You will probably have to doc the ends of the Dakota frame as well. Most have to be trimmed just behind the rear shackles.

That truck looks pretty sweet, I suspect the floors are probably in pretty good shape, but a lot of guys are using the Dakota floor pan and lower firewall and attaching the floor to the older cabs. Then everything attached to the Dakota firewall fits. The Dakota cab is about 6" wider (measure yours) then the 50s cabs, so you have to make some adjustments for that.

I love those 57 Dodge trucks. If I ever get done with my current project, I would like to build a 57. I've done a 50 (48-50), a 52 (51-53), a 54 (54 & early 55), a 56 (late 55 and 56), and a 58 (58-60), and my current project is a 39 (39-47). I have most of the 60s, 70s and up to mid 90s covered as well. Missing is the 57 only body style and the 61-64 style. Gene

Thanks for the info. The Dakota is a short bed extended cab. Hadn't thought about keeping the Dakota fire wall but it does make sense. I'm going to pick up the Dakota this weekend so I won't know exactly what kind of shape the body's in till then.

Jeez: A clean, big window 57. You lucky dog!

those dakotas had more than one option for a gas tank,if memory serves a 20 and a 16,might have to hit the salvage yards FYI my mom was born about 3 miles from the black canyon!!

No kidding!! I'd love to find a big back window 57 in my part of the world. One of these days, I'm going to hook to my trailer and go to Arizona or California when one shows up for sale.....like they always do out there.