I have a black 1996 Dodge Dakota Sport. Regular size cab.

I'm looking for some input on what else I can do to modify the interior or exterior. I got a nice dual exhaust put on. The interior bench seat has a brand new seat cover, new floor mats, etc...

On the 2nd generation Dakotas, they have modifications to headlights, where you can get projector lights put in, different grill guards, different rear brake lights, and many other things can be changed for a better visual effect.

My question is, what all can I do with this 1st gen Dakota? And where can I find things like this...? All seems hopeless right now to improve the visual effect. please give me good news!!!


Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

Tons you can do. Most might have to be custom done Vs store bought. Check the FAQ2 in this section for TONS of ideas. (Look a few posts above this one.)

 

Ive also been wondering, Is there anything I can do with the stock headlights, turn signals, and things along those lines. A decent grill guard/brush guards.. and things like that. I'm working on getting a 2 in body lift to fit 31's as well as new wheels. You think black on black would look nice? Or should I keep stock chrome? I haven't really seen anyone with the same ORIGINAL wheels that I have that came stock..

 

You can install HID's in the headlights. You can buy clear turns and corner lights, like mine. www.ebay.com you can get grill guard www.ebay.com You can get new wheels. I like the black on black that is what I have. I powder coated my stock wheels. Like I said all that info is in the FAQ2.

 

You could always build a new grillle, or tint your lights a little darker, I am doing a black and red version of a chev s-10 low rider I saw in the past. I was going to create a little thread about how to change the front grille though my phone is really acting up so I am still tryin to figure out how to download them on my computer lol. Heres the basic stock version of mine


Now here is what i turned it into. I built this one in a matter of minutes.


The pictures are pretty bad though and you could change it to whatever you want the front grille to be. I did this just for the lights but I have 4 seperate grilles already for use just waiting to get a turn. You could add a roll pan, widen the fender flares in the back to add a bigger tire. tint the head lights or all the lights so they are darker and look more black like your truck rate now. and if I were you I would of just swapped the first gen seats with the second gen seats. Cause there is more optionals with thoughs trucks, and shot top it lol. There is some ideas have fun now.

 

Will the 2nd gen seats even fit in it? Right now it's a bench seat. Sometimes I don't like having it, and sometimes I do.. lol Where did you find the grill guards you have for it? That looks different.. And I kind of like it.. Maybe I would like a different pattern or something.

 

If your looking for store bought add ons you are limited in the and older Dakota's. I looked for years while I still had my 96 everywhere for some cool stuff but could never find anything. After my 96 was wrecked in an accident thanks to my mother in law driving (i was sick so she had to drive the rest of the way home), I went out and bought a 99 and there is a ton more store bought add ons.

 

I completely agree with you on that one. I've been looking around for quite some time. I can't seem to find hardly anything at all. My friend has an 01' Dakota and she is BEAUTIFUL. I'll post a link of that. It infuriates me when I see him constantly modifying his truck while it seems as if there are limited things I can do with my baby. I love my buddy Matt's truck though.

 

I agree that it is almost impossible to find any thing for the first generation that is why it is so special. I have a friend who drives the secong with upgrades and it looks nice while mine looks like a peice of sh/t. Oh well, and as you seen on my other post it is only for those lights. I have seen three types of different styles this one being the third. Though I have made more my self. I am going to retry with my phone to show you guys how to make or buy them it took me over 5 months to find a seller though I can tell you a way how to do it for free and it will be better cause it is your own blood sweat and tears in it. And I believe that you can I haven't yet though only cause I am not ready to handle the interior yet. I want to fix the last remaining rust on it "the whole body" and redo the paint all I have been doing is spray bombing the truck black and the paaint last like every 3 months before it looks bad agian as you can tell it has been far longer than three months lol.

 

Yeah. It actually looks pretty decent though. I posted some pics of mine in one of the sticky threads at the top to the 1st gen forum. Go have a look and tell me what ya think. It's basically stock, but it doesn't look too bad. I need to find out how much it's gonna cost to fix the paint on the hood and roof. I hate the clear coat screw-up. I can't wait to get my 2" body kit.

Anyone know how easy it is to tighten the torsion keys to get more lift?