I'm new to the Dodge world and I'm seriously considering picking up this truck from a friend of mine. I'm looking for a descent truck to haul surf boards and other misc stuff around. I would love to know how these trucks do when they have higher mileage.

Here are the specs:

1992 Dakota
114,000 mile
5.2 V-8
Automatic
4x4

4 new Firestone tires
new battery
fixed the wipers/horn
new ECU
new front brakes
new flowmaster cat back

The good: it it runs great, drives very solid, has a nice stereo. Has a bedliner and camper shell with racks. Seems like a strong work truck.

The Bad: The paint was rattle-can'd in the past, but no rust, body is straight. Interior is fair. Fuel gauge only reads to 1/4. No A/C, manual windows/locks. My buddy hasn't tried the 4x4 much, but the light does not come on when he engages it, he's have never had it off road to mess with it. He's not sure if the transfer case works.

KBB fair value is $2100



With paint/seat/carpet it could actually be a decent looking ride, or is great for work as-is.

 

These trucks run fine with higher miles. Just a few things to keep in mind... the ball joints, tie rods, and idler and pitman arms are often neglected and might need replacing. If the transmission is hooked to the factory cooler and the truck has ever been used for heavy hauling/towing, it could be a potential concern down the road.

By the description you gave, I would say if you can get it for between $1200-1500, go for it, but you could do better for $2100.

 

Great, thanks for the info! He said the kbb on it is $2100, but he'd sell it for $1700.

I figure the tires he just put on are prob worth $300-400, so maybe the $1700 isn't too bad.

It looks like the truck was white originally, so I might have Maaco do a $300 special on it to go back to the original color. I'm thinking about blacking out the wheels and adding a brush guard too.

Descent trucks are hard to find here in Hawaii, but I've found this one and a 89 Chevy 3500 with a 454 and 75k miles on it for $4200 that I'm debating between. The Chevy is more truck than I need though, and the 8-11mpg is a real drag. The 454 is good for 230hp and 389 ft lbs.

I just don't want to get in too deep in case I don't like it and decide to sell it in a year's time.

 

Yeah, these 5.2 magnums are good for 220-230 hp and 290-300 ft lbs and are much lighter. Also, if the engine is tuned up properly it can easily get 15-16 mpg.

 

114,000 miles is nothing. Really the least reliable thing is the transmission, and this goes for pretty much any automatic in an older vehicle.

 

KBB is a fantasy. Value is only what someone is willing to pay.

if you really surf around forums like specific dakota ones, you'll find miles and miles of post with just about every problem the have. The most common problem I come across on gen1 dakotas is broken transfer cases and inop OD. I've fixed all together blown transmissions (especial the manuals). quite a few destroyed rear axles (open diff with blown out pins like minivans caused by abuse).

as for 5.2, they are pretty much indestructable. In my region frame rot is a common problem.

 

Well, I found out this truck was a government vehicle purchased at a Navy auction. friend of mine in the Navy told me to steer clear of it. According to him, the government abuses vehicles (30k miles before an oil change, etc.). Guess I'll keep looking.




Thanks for all the help!!

 

If it made it to 114,000 miles, shouldn't be too bad.
As said before, the engines in these trucks are very reliable.

I can speak for abuse of government vehicles, but honesty, not always worse than what "normal" people might subject their vehicles to.