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niceolddart

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2015
Messages
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Location
S.E. Pa.
Man, these 1st & 2nd gen Dakota's look to be WAY under appreciated. Not much activity here.
 
I've had several 87-96 Dakota's, still have my 96 4wd, I wish I could find another one with a better body and less than 1/4 million miles on it. Which is where mine is at now... 318 cab and a 1/2 4wd...
This is 1st 4wd version I've had and 1st with other than 3.55 gearing. This one's 3.91s...
I had a 99, wasn't 1/2 the truck the earlier ones were, had to do a lot of work on that one, most things more than once.... Came to me with a pile of receipts over the previous 15 years from past owner, most of what I had to work on had been done while he had it, some more than once.
I got rid of it because the frame was starting to get ugly on the pass side where the 2 sections are riveted together at the front leaf spring hanger. My 96 is built differently and is still in better shape than that one was. The 96 also has 100k more on it than the 99 did when I got rid of it. I drive the 96, 70 miles a day every day especially in the winter. For better weather I either drive my 12 ram 1500 or my Harley
 
They look nice but are impractical as a work truck. Then there was that blasted computer that kept over heating.
I liked the efi on the 93. Just didn't like what controlled it.
The F250 gets the same gas mileage loaded and way more comfortable to ride in.
 
Regarding "same gas mileage" that has been my experience among 3.9 vs 318 magnum engines in these trucks. I actually like the Dakota's... More room than an S10 or a ranger inside. Me in an F anything? I would have to be desperate and the F series truck under consideration would absolutely have to have been built before 1997. I deal with newer ones daily and they are garbage.
 
Any interest in these convertible Dakota pickups? There’s 3 at the place I’m helping to clean out, one almost perfect one, another really nice one, one daily driver looking one, and a few others strewn around in parts truck condition.

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Not that I need another vehicle on the yard. Nor could I afford one but... Location and price?
Well, my friend, we are working through the process and we are not to those vehicles yet. As of now, we are working through the Little Red Express trucks and some of the parts, and scrapping the many, many, many piles of junk and junk vehicles. If you’re interested, they are in Michigan, near Ann Arbor.
 
My Son has a 99 with a 360 and 200,000+ on it. We just had to rebuild the 360 and painted and added the R.R. looking hood.

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I got rid of my 99 because the frame looked iffy by the passenger side front leaf spring hanger area where the 2 sections of frame are riveted together along with spring hanger bracket. Still have the 96, been looking at replacement winter beaters but everything I'm seeing below about $3g is in worse shape (and at least as many miles) in comparison. So I'm better to keep it until it falls apart which it shows no sign of doing. Love the 318 and 4wd.
I use it for a going mowing" truck during the warm months to keep the fluids flowing.
I definitely don't like the 04+ Dakota's or any truck newer, for that matter much at all.
I know where there's a really nice looking '92-96 Dakota sitting, reg cab/long bed, being a 2wd is what's keeping me from knocking on the door.
I did like my 1st Dakota a lot, which was also a reg cab long bed until my son came and I had no room for a car seat... That one was a '90.
 
Well, my friend, we are working through the process and we are not to those vehicles yet. As of now, we are working through the Little Red Express trucks and some of the parts, and scrapping the many, many, many piles of junk and junk vehicles. If you’re interested, they are in Michigan, near Ann Arbor.
What kind of " junk" parts id among the piles for dodge trucks?
 
What kind of " junk" parts id among the piles for dodge trucks?
There are all manner of truck parts lying about. I pulled out a pair of NOS fenders still in their boxes, grilles hanging everywhere, lots of Ramcharger removeable roof stuff, fenders with the inners attached, stuff everywhere. In the back of the first parts bay there is a set of Warlock fenders, doors and tailgate, with the stenciling bright and like new.
 
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Ok, here’s a few pics of what’s coming out of the barn this spring. All will be for sale, one by one, because it’s too overwhelming for the family to deal with what will be an onslaught of activity. They’re having a hard enough time as it is, I don’t want to add too much confusion.

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Trucks are just trucks. Work horses. Most don't consider them as desirable or collectible in most cases like the other muscle car forums. So, I would always expect the traffic to be lighter here.
 
Not sure about that. Even though they are trucks. To some of us they are life or should I say daily transportation. Things happen to them I guess that doesn't sound interesting so it doesn't get posted.
Like the F250 now has two good front feet and will be taken in for a front end alignment soon. Been over 80k since the last one.
What's exciting about that? So that my fault.
Need to fix the seventeen year old front seat cover as well. Not a popular seat combination as most trucks of this era had buckets instead of a bench.
Asked a month ago about throttle controllers and towing. No responses at all
Could it be know one tows with a gas Ford truck?
Not all of us can go expensive truck builds. Many that have tried never finished here.
Been here long enough to see the trends. At one time traffic was 90% Dodge.
All I can think of is the form takes dedication. Those coming here for excitement will not last long. Those of us that have stayed do our best.
 
I do enjoy my trucks. Drove 2 hours to pick up some parts yesterday in my Diesel Dually. Not bad, averaged 18.1 mpg at 80 mph the whole way there and back. In fact, I have had nine1 ton trucks, three Ramchargers and one Dakota truck in my days.
 
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