Hydraulic clutch= no pedal slack. period. It's good you found the source of the slack. The bushings are a wear item, or should be considered so. Especially after 15 years.
It sounds to me like a clutch issue, or maybe just the hydraulics.
I'd get the whole shebang from Dodge. $350 is a big chunk of change, but it is pre bled- install the assembly and go on.
How far does your clutch fork move when the pedal is depressed? I have the Dakota this month, so I cant run out and measure mine.
Dainel