Long story short...
My sister is getting a '93 Dodge Dakota, 2wd, 5.2L, club cab with 135k on it, as a graduation gift from her parents. I decided I m going to hook her up with a tune up and new front shocks since the one they are getting are shot. I don' necessarily agree with this for a new college person, so I want to do as much as possible without breaking the bank on her FIRST vehicle to improve her gas mileage.
So in essence, what are the cheapest things I can do for this truck to get her better mpg. I used to own and pampered a '94 Dodge Dakota, loved that thing to do R.I.P...sniff sniff, so I am pretty familiar with it. Also any preventive maintenance you recommend would be welcome. I may have alot of experience with Dakotas, on my 3rd gen now, but I would rather pick brains and see what kind of picture gets painted from it. Price ranges beside recommendations would be awesome.

THANKS!

 

Do the basics first, tune up: plugs, wires, cap rotor, PCV valve AND O2 sensor/s. Oil change and lube. All new filters: oil, air, fuel. Clean up the throttle body, trans flush or fluid and filter change. New belts and hoses. Coolant flush and change.

I do this on every used vehicle I get.

To help improve fuel economy, a tune up, fuel and air filters, and a good TB cleaning will really help. Oh and try to teach her to keep her foot out of the throttle.

 

What is this magic you speak of??? lol. for the plugs i would go with 3923 autolites or NGK V groves. both about the same price and performance. the 318 gets decent gas mileage when you dont keep your foot in it so i am told, i get about 16 and i stay in it all the time. i think the dakota is a good first truck, after all it was mine and it is stil hanging in there, and i know she cant be any harder than i have been on mine.

 

Run some seafoam through it. About $5.

And then what everyone else said.

 

I used to have a 1993 with the 5.2L. great truck, almost to much engine for that vehicle. watch out for the tranny!