Hi i''m new to the forum, I just bought a 94 Dakota 2wd Reg Cab. I''m looking to use it as somewhat daily driver all year round. I have a few questions that I am hoping one of you guys on here can help me out with.


-How hard would it be to convert it to 4x4? Is it worth the effort?

-Lift kits, I''m not looking for something really high just a few inches *or* so.

-How about any performance upgrades for the v6? (other than upgrading to a v8 lol)

-The rockers are starting to show their age and are bubbling, does any one know if replacements are available?

-I just picked up the truck it has 245xxx km''s on it (roughly 153xxx miles), other than changing the fluids, should I be doing anything else in preventative maintenance?

-are there any little upgrades that I can do to the truck?

-Also can I run new dakota rims on the truck? If so what years?

thanks
steve

 

First, welcome to the forum! For your first question, crazy4x4rt has did a 4x4 swap on his so he can answer any questions you have about that. As for performance and and body parts, FAQ2 has a lot of helpful links about that:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...en-1-faq2.html

As for the rims, any 1st or 2nd generation dakota or 1st generation durango rims will fit. The newest dakotas and durangos use a different lug pattern, but I put new 16x8 inch alloy rims on my truck a couple weeks ago. They stick out a little further but I think they give the truck a meaner looking stance.

 

make sure that you check/add/change the fluid in your rear diff. It is a forgotten maintenance item for many owners.

After 150,000 miles, you need to check the steering system components well. Ball joints and tie rod ends if needed. A bad alignment coupled by poor steering components will cost you about four mpg. Jack the tire in the air, (treat the tire like a clock face) and push/pull at 12 o'oclock and 6 o'clock. If there is any slop, it's ball joint time. Now at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. If there is slop, tie rod end time.

Check the plugs, wires, and dizzy cap. Those are a must for a tune-up. Read the FAQ for spark plug suggestions. Copper Autolites are the most popular, and the "multi-point" spark plugs are junk.

 

Get a turkey baster and suck the old dirty fluid out of the master cylinder and put new dot3 fluid in. Do the same with the power steering fluid suck out the old and replace. If auto trans change the fluid I would do a flush.

 

Welcome! All the answers to you questions are in the FAQ2. For complete details check it out.

For the the 4wd swap was worth it. But if you have the time and space and money they go for it. FAQ2 has more details.

For lift kits you can get 2-4in depends on what you want to spend and how you want to lift FAQ2 has more details.

For performance without a v8 swap you have several opions. If your rockers are going then repace them with 1.7 rockers. A full list of options in FAQ2.

For info on maintence intervals you can check out the servace manuals that are listed in the FAQ.

For a full list of wheels you can use for this truck check out FAQ.

There are lots of small upgreads you can do like high per. coil wires cap rotor. Check out FAQ2 for a full list.

 

Wait... after reading crazy4x4rt's response are you talking about the rocker panels (body parts) or rockers (engine part). I was looking on ebay earlier and they have rocker panels available if you can't find them on another parts site.

 

You know what 95 318slt, you are right I think he is talking about body pannels. Because I dont know how the engine rockers can bubble. Sorry I just rush read it. For body parts sites check out the FAQ2. That is why it is best to do a search on your own then ask questions. And always be spacific on your questions.