ive been driving a 2wd 3.9 v6 dakota since 95 ,tho the truck is a 92,it has a 3.92 rear axle,and gets better mileage than a similar dakota with a 3.55,3.9 v6,the problem is with the 3.55 rear its always downshifting on even the smallest hill on the road,while the 3.92 rarely downshifts,i have towed some really heavy loads with the 3.92 3.9 v6,and while its a little like the tail waggin the dog,it does do the job,i recently bought a 4x4 3.9 v6 with 3.55 axles,and im gonna change axles in it SOON, both have A500 trannys in them