T5 isn't that HD a transmission for off-road, and there are even better on-road transmissions out there.
You've got the AX-15, which is already a "decent" gearbox. Your 1993 would have the "internal" version, with the throwout bearing and slave cylinder combined into one assembly (and it's dumb as a bag of hammers. If it leaks, may as well do the whole clutch - you're there anyhow, and it only adds about 15 minutes' work to the job.)
1994-up AX-15 are 'external', using a more conventional slave cylinder that can be accessed with the transmission in place. You'd have to switch hydraulics, but it's a better option.
Also note that, if you convert to the external AX-15, you can keep your eyes open for pretty much any NV3550 that has the same input and output dimensions, and swap that out later. Simply move the bellhousing and associated parts from your external AX-15 to the NV3550 - since they're the same. And, you've just moved up the chain another rung. Just pay attention to how your transfer case is clocked - if you score an NV3550 out of a TJ, for instance, you're going to have to either replace the transfer case adapter housing or massage the transmission tunnel (the TJ is "clocked flatter," which requires more clearance above the transfer case.)
The AX-15 and NV3550 can also be found in later Dakotas with the V6 - you just have to swap bellhousings, since the Dakota bellhousing uses the Chrysler LA-block pattern, and the 242ci uses the AMC I6/V8 pattern. I do believe the input shafts are identical, however.
