i have a 94 markIII edition dakota extended cab.

2wd, 5.2L, automatic.

i am getting ready to order some parts:
rear rollpan
front rotors/pads
headers
cut cat and run a straight pipe in its place
plug wires

and possibly a lowering kit. but from seeing my truck, and pictures of other 2WD dakotas, mine already looks lowered. but underneath everything appears stock except my traction bars.

here are some pictures:



and when i first bought it:




since i bought it i have tinted the side windows, 10" tint drop on front window, removed bug shield, installed hooks in bed for my pit-bike, new tires, painted the wood grain dash gloss black, removed all emblems and stickers, along with removing black molding on the sides.


i can't find ANY specific information on what exactly the MARKIII came with, other than the obvious differences. i'd hate to spend $400+ to do a 2/3 drop and it not even drop the truck at all. any help would be appreciated.


and does anyone have experience with Pacesetter headers?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pacesetter-Exhau...3A1%7C294%3A50

 

Just looking at it I think it is like a stock Dakota, except the plastic trim makes it look lower. I can't say I am familiar with a Mark III, but if it isn't listed as a seperate truck in the service manual I would be wiling to bet it is a stock 2WD dakota suspension under there.

As far as headers go I haven't heard anything about Pacesetters, but I would be hesitant to get anything without seeing an actual picture of it first. BUT I did find some Pacesetters on Summit Racing for less than that auction. Might want to check them out first.

Body is in great shape too by the way. Really nice looking truck.

 

thank you.

i suppose it is just a visual impression that it is lowered, because looking at the front bumper compared to another dakota they're damn near the same height.

i got lucky with my purchase, she had 89k miles and i got her for 2400$. leather interior and everything

thank you for the quick response. i know pacesetter is a rather cheap brand, but i've read good reviews on people using them on other vehicles. and i'm not making insane horsepower where i need to really worry about the extra heat/stress causing cracking.


from looking in the engine bay i'm under the impression that installing the headers would be rather easy. on my 300zx, it's roughly a 12 hour job to install headers, because there is so much **** in the way that has to be removed. is my assumption correct?

 

oh, and is there a difference in 4wd and 2wd front rotors?

 

Its the stock height. Like said above, that body kit makes it appear to be lower. Another common name for those kinds of body kits are "ground effects" kits, cause their job is to give a lowered appearance.

 

Ya stock hight. The body kit was installed by some dealer. I believe we have it listed in the FAQ section.

Yes there is a difference in between 4wd and 2wd rotors.

Installing headers can be easy. The hardest part is tightening down the header bolts. Due to the tubes closeness to the bolts. Just get a good set of header bolts from autozone, the ones with the Allen wrench on the inside will make it quicker. And get a quality gasket and wrench to tighten the header bolts. Recheck the bolts after 100miles and a few time more after that. They can come loose and leak.

 

there is minimal info in the faq on the MarkIII conversions, i've read the FAQ and FAQ2. thank you for verifying the rotor question, some sites had an option, some didnt. and thanks for the tip on header bolts.

again, thank you guys for the quick responses.

 

well, i cut my cat off and put a straight pipe in its place, and omg it sounds so amazing.

noticed a little less "drag" when i stomp the gas
exhaust fumes smell (but i dont mind at all)
louder, deeper exhaust tone


would definitely recommend to those who want to change their exhaust and dont have to worry about emissions.

and on the plus side, i should be able to get close to 100$ from the scrap yard for my catalytic converter.