Hey,

Just picked up a new to me first gen Dakota. It's a 91, with the 318, 4x4 extended cab. Truck has 380,000km's (236121 miles). Picked it up for $600 so think I got a pretty good deal. Truck runs great, 4x4 works good, tranny's good, interiors in great shape, the box has some rust, but the cab is solid.

Attached is the only picture I have of it now, I'll try and get more in daylight.

Only two issues I've noticed with it so far is the headlight switch is flakey, my lights would turn out on me, and I'd have to play with the switch to get it to work again.

Also the cruise and horn both don't work. Since they are both gone, I'm leaning towards the clockspring, but can't seem to find one listed for this truck. Since I don't have an airbag, does this truck even use a clockspring? Or does it just have contacts?

The other thing I'm wondering. I saw on this site somewhere that I would need to lift the truck a bit to run 31's. But if I go onto Tirerack, it says that 31's were a factory option for this truck. Should I be good stock height running 31's, or do I need a bit of lift?

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forums! And thats a nice lookin truck you got for only 600.

31's I think will fit, but may rub on the steering or just be real close.

 

Welcome to the forum, You will find that it is a great place to ask questions.

Now as for the head light switch, it may be a short somewhere or maybe the switch is just bad an needing replaced.

 

Nice truck, and for only $600!
31's should fit stock, maybe rub the frame a little at full lock. My truck is stock height on 31's.

 

Yes this truck still uses a clock spring. I have a 1991 and dont have an air bag but there is still a clock spring as mine had went up in smoke while I was driving and boy was that a scary thing.

 

Congrats! Nice truck, nice price!

 

Thanks guys. Just got the build sheet for the truck back from Dodge:

Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
Light Group
Skid Plate Group
Heavy Duty Suspension Group
Convenience Group
Power Convenience Group
Peru Equipment Group
Lower Two Tone Paint
SLT Decor Group
90 Amp Alternator
500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
10x2.5 Rear Drum Brakes
60/40 Split Bench Seat
Under Seat Lighting
6-Way Power Passenger Seat
Delete Front Center Seat
Front Seat Area Carpet
Front Floor Mats
Passenger Assist Handles
All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Lock-Up Torque Converter
Shift-on-the-Fly,231HD Transfer Case
3.92 Rear Axle Ratio
Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
Tinted Glass Windows
Tinted Windshield Glass
Front Door Tinted Glass
Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
Rear Sliding Window
Rear View Day/Night Mirror
Driver Side Sun Visor
Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
Power 6 x 9 Bright Mirrors
All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
Air Conditioning
Hood Insulation
Deluxe Insulation Group
Instrument Cluster w/Tach
200 KPH Primary Speedometer
Tachometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Cigar Lighter
Locking Glove Box
Power Windows
Power Locks
Ignition Time Delay Lamp
Courtesy Lamps
Glove Box Lamp
Ash Tray Lamp
Underhood Lamp
Halogen Headlamps
Daytime Running Headlamps, High Beam
Bright Front Bumper
Bright Rear Bumper
Front License Plate Bracket
Bright Grille
Black Windshield Moldings
Federal Emissions
EVAP Control System
22 Gallon Fuel Tank
Engine Block Heater
Speed Control
Dark Silver Metallic
Silver Star Metallic Clear Coat
All Radio Equipped Vehicles
AM/FM Cassette Radio
4 Speakers
Power Rack and Pinion Steering
Wood/Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
Front Stabilizer Bar
Tilt Steering Column
Full Size Spare Tire
Tire Carrier Winch
P235/75R15 OWL All Terrain Tires
Goodyear Brand Tires
15" Aluminum Wheels
All Aluminum Wheels
Pickup Box
Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
Build To Canada Mkt. Specifications

They also told me that recall 871, Automatic Transmission Manual Valve, is outstanding on the vehicle and to take it in to get repaired. Not even sure if they'd have the parts around to do this recall anymore.

 

Also an update on some of the issues:

Horn/Cruise was the clockspring. Got a clockspring from a wrecker, and it fixed the horn, don't have cruise working yet as I need to solder on the Cruise plug from my truck (as the clockspring I got had a different plug).

Lights, haven't had a chance to do anything with, but picked up a few relay's and fuses to wire in the relays.

My girlfriend drove it the other day and when she got back she said that there was steam coming from under the hood. Took a look and sure enough there was coolant everywhere. Initially I thought it was the Rad, as it had some wet fins on it, and I figured the fan blew the coolant all over the engine. After some digging, it turns out it was the water pump. Tons of play in the water pump impeller, I guess the bearing went out a while ago, and finally took the seal with it, and when it did since the bearing was so bad already, it just tore the seal up, and caused coolant to pour out of the weep hole. Of course a '91 318 uses a unique water pump, so truck hasn't been driveable, it is apart waiting for the water pump to get in.

Water pump wasn't tough to remove, but it is obnoxious putting the bypass hose from the water pump to thermostat right underneath the althernator/AC Compressor bracket, had to remove everything to get to that hose to replace it, as it looked in pretty rough shape.