1998 Doge Durango

just go with a lift and slap a set of 32's on and call it a day  

Engine is a 318 V8 trans not sure and T case I think is the NV231 It's the Manuel shifted one. But what concerns me right now there is no trans cooler i know its a easy install just need to do it.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

I would go with a lift however I do not have that kind of money right now. What is being discussed above is my best option right now. Heck I will have a hard time shelling out the cash for the tires. Either way It needs to get off the ground first I can live with the 31's for now.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

The NV231 and NV242 are both manually shifted, but the 242 has a full time AWD setting and the NV231 has 2, 4HI, N, and 4LO (in that order).

Honestly, a trans cooler is good to have, but not a neccesity unless you're doing extremely long trailering trips, do a whole heck of a lot of trailering, or deal with a lot of hills. I wouldn't let a lack of trans cooler stop you from towing right now.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

Then mine is the NV231. I forgot about the full time one. Would have specified part time if I had.  


 As far as towing. My trips would range from 75 to 300 miles on average. Including  a few grades some long and steep. The longer trips the B II would be piggyback. So with that any recommendations on a cooler?  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

yeah, you'd probably want to get a cooler. 75-300 miles is quite the drive with a Bronco in tow.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

I was thinking of mounting the trans cooler in a remote location. And complement it with a engine oil cooler. I am looking for a oil cooler with a electric fan attached. I know they exist I want to know whats reliable. And some ideas on locations I can mount them. I have thought a few out. (between the frame rails, through the hood, and even fenders. Each of which will add it's own flair.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

If you want to do any four-wheeling with the Rango that involves water, you'll want it high-up if you've got an electric fan attached to it. Even in shallow water, you'd be amazed at how much kick-up there is. My entire engine bay is covered in a light coating of dirt from wheeling in puddles. As for what to choose, I don't know as again, when it comes to transmission stuff, I'm clueless. All I know is that it takes engine power, changes ratios, and spits it out to the transfercase.

And as for mounting it, I'd do it on a frame rail and water proof it.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

I understand about the transmissions. The question was put there for anyone else that may have pertinent information.

 As far as your engine getting coated. If memory serves me there was a lot of spray from the tires in front of my Dakota when I took that through puddles. That then would get sucked into the radiator and penetrate any open areas. The fan would turn the water/mud into a mist which then coated the engine. I can not figure out a way to solve that other than close up as many openings as possible.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

While I am thinking about it. Do you know if there is any options for larger side mirrors that would fit the factory location. The ones I have now I think are just too small especially when I plan to tow something. Besides I do not like dealing with the clamp/strap on tow mirrors.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

what about the bolt on type? They tend to be a little more work to put on, but they actually stay in place from the experiences I've had with them.

You may also want to look at dakota-durango.com. The guys/gals on that sight are pretty knowledgeable. Look me up if you go there and drop me a PM, I'm jg09 on that site, too.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

I got a chance to look under a 2000 Dakota 4 door with the 318 4WD combo. The rear axle was a spring over. What concerns me is shock mounting locations on the axle.

I wonder could I use the existing springs from the Durango? Weld spring mounts to the axle. And flip the shock mounts on top of the spring. If this is doable than all I should need to do is weld the mounts on. Now the question about the U bolts. Can I reuse the ones I got or get new ones? Or would all this be in conflict with something?

 One more thing that caught my eye on that Dakota. The side mirrors on it were about 25% bigger. I wonder if they would fit the Durango Without serious modification.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

Your plan is the right way to go. Don't reuse your u-bolts, though. Always get new ones. And as far as I know, the Dakota mirrors will fit without modification, but I've seen both vehicles and I don't remember the Dakota mirrors being that much bigger.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

The Dakota I saw was a 01 i think. And yes that is the first and only time I saw larger mirrors. I should have asked the owner about them I was not thinking at the time.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>