My first thought is that you are going to have considerably more cubic inches,
So how much power and torque
Would be adequate for this 4wd Dakota?

Stock late model obd-ii 1998+
5.9v8 is in the ballpark of
245 hp at 4000
335 ft-lbs at 2900 to 3600 rpm
300 ft lbs at 2000 rpm

With you already planned higher static compression (true 8.7 to true 10.5)
and slightly longer duration 318 cam
guess you will be at least 12% above these.

If you go
Lean Burn air fuel
Or
Atkinson Cycle
You can trade off some power for higher fuel efficiency.

Would you be willing to offset bore and swap piston offset,
For less friction and better rod to crank power transfer angle?
There will be piston slap noise.

Would you be willing to fit Honda low friction bearings like NASCAR?

Any budget for ceramic coatings (3% gains)

Would you consider Mahle steel pistons since you will be buying 4.030 ?

Any budget for aluminum MP heads with their 53 cc combustion chambers?

What aero tweaks to the Dakota body could you tolerate?