Used 1996 Dakota CC
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Used 1996 Dakota CC
Hey all. I got rid of my '05 Dakota for a sedan when I got back from Iraq and I have been kicking myself in the rear ever since! My wife has agreed to let me get another Dak and I decided to look for a 1st Gen this time - one I always wanted when I was younger. It's a 1996 CC, 3.9 auto, 4x4, with 146,000 and change. Can anyone give me a quick run down of problem areas to look for with truck. I understand the motor is historically pretty solid, but I was wondering if there are other specific issues with the 1st Gen. Thanks in advance.
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2007
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RE: Used 1996 Dakota CC
wel it all depends on how it was treated by the previous owner, there arent any real problems that every truck suffered..ive got a 1st gen myself, ive had it for about 2 months and i love it. just give it a good look over and test-drive before you buy it and you should be good.
goodluck with it and let us know how it turns out.
goodluck with it and let us know how it turns out.
Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
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RE: Used 1996 Dakota CC
I've seen alot of these come in with bad transmissions especially the '96 because it's more electronic than the previous years ('96's had an exclusive trans) and tends to overheat quickly and it doesn't seem to matter what motor you run, I seem 'em all. I would add a trans cooler if you do buy it (and if it doesn't already have one) to prolong the life of the trans.
Also '96 was the first year of the OBD-II system on these, so it runs a slightly different PCM than previous model years, more like an updated version.
Also '96 was the first year of the OBD-II system on these, so it runs a slightly different PCM than previous model years, more like an updated version.
Champion
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,119
Likes: 5
From: Sycamore, Illinois (displaced to Arkansas)
RE: Used 1996 Dakota CC
As always, is 12 years old, so you can't be too picky.
Check the basic things: maintenance history, how does the truckjust plain look(does it look likes its at least been washed in the last 5 years?). Ask what parts they have had replaced. Is there dirt on the transmision (and other smaller parts, like the starter; or does it look like these parts have been replaced, possbily their having problems with something, like the transmission that was just replaced and its acting up again, and are just trying to get out from under it, and pawn it off on the next guy)
Take off the oil fill cap and see if theres anything nasty under it. What does the transmission fluid look like? Front and rear diff fluid? Transfer case fluid (which is supposed to be ATF, by the way)? Does the brake fluid and power steering fluid look like its older than a T-model? Does the coolant look clean? Radiator clean (remove the pressure cap)? (find a parking lot to do a couple figure 8's and listen for chatter from the rear end. If there is chatter, it's probably because when ever the rear diff fluid was last changed, if its limited slip, they didn't put in the proper additive, which is like $10 from Chrysler. If it has that noise, I would become curious. If the additive is added, and still has the noise, I would walk away from the truck, unless you want to put in a new rear end)
Any fluid leaks?
How do the tires look. Worn unevenly?
It's a Dodge, so pay close attention to the following:
How the transmission shifts, feels, etc.
Ball joints and tie-rods (or, the whole front end period) *Note- the steering can be effected by these two, so take note of how the truck stays on course and steers*
Any weird noises coming from the engine? (Sometimes the timing chains give problems, they came out with a differant setup for this, there is a TSB about it, I'll have to post it sometime) But, the engines were pretty much bullet-proof. People abuse 'em and they keep on going.
As codydakota said, the 1996 model year is a unique Gen 1, since its the onlyone to have OBDII, as well as the onlyone to have the "RE" series of transmissions (but they continued to have them until they retired the Magnum line in 2003) The transmission cooler is a very good idea. I just ordered my new transmission today, and will be putting in a cooler when I get it installed.
Check the basic things: maintenance history, how does the truckjust plain look(does it look likes its at least been washed in the last 5 years?). Ask what parts they have had replaced. Is there dirt on the transmision (and other smaller parts, like the starter; or does it look like these parts have been replaced, possbily their having problems with something, like the transmission that was just replaced and its acting up again, and are just trying to get out from under it, and pawn it off on the next guy)
Take off the oil fill cap and see if theres anything nasty under it. What does the transmission fluid look like? Front and rear diff fluid? Transfer case fluid (which is supposed to be ATF, by the way)? Does the brake fluid and power steering fluid look like its older than a T-model? Does the coolant look clean? Radiator clean (remove the pressure cap)? (find a parking lot to do a couple figure 8's and listen for chatter from the rear end. If there is chatter, it's probably because when ever the rear diff fluid was last changed, if its limited slip, they didn't put in the proper additive, which is like $10 from Chrysler. If it has that noise, I would become curious. If the additive is added, and still has the noise, I would walk away from the truck, unless you want to put in a new rear end)
Any fluid leaks?
How do the tires look. Worn unevenly?
It's a Dodge, so pay close attention to the following:
How the transmission shifts, feels, etc.
Ball joints and tie-rods (or, the whole front end period) *Note- the steering can be effected by these two, so take note of how the truck stays on course and steers*
Any weird noises coming from the engine? (Sometimes the timing chains give problems, they came out with a differant setup for this, there is a TSB about it, I'll have to post it sometime) But, the engines were pretty much bullet-proof. People abuse 'em and they keep on going.
As codydakota said, the 1996 model year is a unique Gen 1, since its the onlyone to have OBDII, as well as the onlyone to have the "RE" series of transmissions (but they continued to have them until they retired the Magnum line in 2003) The transmission cooler is a very good idea. I just ordered my new transmission today, and will be putting in a cooler when I get it installed.
Professional
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 140
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From: Sterling Heights, MI
RE: Used 1996 Dakota CC
I have the 96 model....
As far as I can figure, if you keep up with regular maintenance, (Oil changes) this truck will be with you forever. Mine has about 139,000 miles.
I haven't changed much on my truck, just Ball joints (upper and lower) sway bar links since it was apart, motor mounts, trans mount while I was at it, front brakes and a tune-up.
I've had the truck about 3.5 years now and I still love it! She still puts up with me. I haven't had any of the rear-end problems or trans issues mentioned above.
Also, my truck OBD I as well as OBD II. Best of both worlds in my opinion. You can do a quick check yourself or you can plug it in to one for those high-tech whatchermajigs...
As far as I can figure, if you keep up with regular maintenance, (Oil changes) this truck will be with you forever. Mine has about 139,000 miles.
I haven't changed much on my truck, just Ball joints (upper and lower) sway bar links since it was apart, motor mounts, trans mount while I was at it, front brakes and a tune-up.
I've had the truck about 3.5 years now and I still love it! She still puts up with me. I haven't had any of the rear-end problems or trans issues mentioned above.
Also, my truck OBD I as well as OBD II. Best of both worlds in my opinion. You can do a quick check yourself or you can plug it in to one for those high-tech whatchermajigs...