get the extended cab or 4 door, the 2 door reg cab is cramped....

as for motor..... like the other guy said.... 4.7 or the 5.9 the v6 is very underpowerd vs. the v8 and drinks just as much gas.... the 4.7 is a more common engine in there also... and i belive that the 98+s came with a 3.2, 5.2, and 5.9.. in 2000 they introduced the 4.7 into the dakota, the 5.2 is just a 5.9 with a differnt crank....

chris