Have you ever had the linkage adjusted? 90% chance this is the problem.
The 1994 Dodge Dakota fuse box diagram is in the Dakota service manual. The manual might be available at the library, or can be bought through an auto parts.
it might have a sticking thermostat.
crysler (dodge is owned by crysler) is notorious for bad transmissions so you might need to get another
The transmission might grind on an '88 Dodge Colt because it is very low on transmission fluid. It might also grind because the gears are damaged or stripped.
depends what was in the 98 dakota. if you take out a v8 and put in a v6 you will need a whole new computer fulelines and whos knows what. and the 88 might possibly be carburated and the 98 fuel injected.
I seriously doubt it... there might be enough room verticaly, but not horizontaly.
check your alternator it might be bad.
There are pages and pages of things that can turn the check engine light on. You need to have it checked for codes to know what the cause might be.
If it's a good day and the planets are aligned you might get by with a hundred dollars at the local alignment shop. Well, it works on mine, anyway.
A high-pitched whine in a Dodge Dakota only when the weather is cold might be a normal thing. When the weather gets cold, the belts, starter and alternator need time to warm up. Try a little drop of dish soap on the fan belt to see if this helps quiet the whining.
If the thermostat is exposed but it just won't come out, it might just be stuck with a little gasket sealer. If that's the case, you might need to 'persuade' the thermostat a little.
It might, but not guaranteed. If there is a cabin air filter to begin with, and the old filter is very dirty, a new one will likely allow better airflow.