Hey guys,

About a month ago, I bought my first vehicle, my 1993 Dodge Dakota LE 5.2L V8 Magnum 4wd. I absolutely LOVE the truck (The only thing I'd give it up for is a Cummins.) It is in great condition. The paint is surprisingly not bad, however the roof is faded a bit and there is a spot or 2 on the hood. I will address a paint job down the road.

The truck leaks oil. Big woop. We're replacing the rear oil seal, and the oil pump. Hopefully we don't need to replace the front. The thing that worries me, however is this: The front U-Joint on the drive shaft, I'd estimate has about 5,000 - 8,000 at most on it. I was looking around under the truck and I noticed that is leaking a bit. It is not a leak that will be dripping all over my driveway, but there is oil splattered all around the under body around where the U-Joint is.

Is this something to worry about? Should I be looking to replace the U-Joint or what? The back has a little bit of the oil splatter as well, but not nearly as much. I will upload pictures if it would help you guys at all.

The weather stripping is dry-rotted, and on the driver's side it leaks. This, I'm getting annoyed with. Every time it rains, unless I want my truck to smell, I have to shopvac it out. I know it's an easy fix, but I don't know of anywhere where I can get any. Do you guys know where I can order it, or have a website? I'm heading up tomorrow or Saturday to the junk yard to look around for some dodge truck parts, maybe I'll get lucky and find some weather stripping (NOT DRY ROTTED :O).

Finally, I know. Lifting my truck. I'm 16 and already lifting my truck. I was only thinking of doing about 3-4 inches. Would this be alright to do with body blocks and torsion bar adjustments? I've been thinking recently, wouldn't the chassis be diagonally aligned if I did that? I hope it wouldn't look too stupid. If there is an easier way you guys know, please, shoot. I'm on a bit of a budget so I can't spend too much, which brings up my other question. I read the sticky on lifting the Dakotas. Are suspension lifts really that expensive? $1,700 for 4 inches?


Thanks for reading and in advance for your helpful replys - I will upload pics of the truck as well as the leaks when I get around to it. If you guys need any more information, please ask. I want this truck to be my little Hulk

 

Sounds like the seal on the drive shaft needs replacing.
For wheatherstriping check out www.jcw.com or www.steelrubber.com
The full blown lift kit 4in yes it is $1,700 but discontinued. Heck tons of other full lift kits are the same price or popular trucks.

Do lift keys 2-3in in front do Add A Leaf out back 2-3in and 2in body lift. That will be a good 4-5 in lift for under $200.

 

Thanks! I'm not sure about fixing the driveshaft just yet, I'm going to clean off the oil and see how bad it's leaking. Weather stripping - Thanks! I'm looking to find an origin of the leak. I heard that there are some other places on the Dakota that are more prominent to leak so maybe I'm wrong about the weather stripping.

I'm a little confused about the lift - 2in in the front and 2in in the rear is only a 2in lift, correct? Thanks for you're help, this is my first lift.

 

Body lift lift the body front and rear. So body lift front and rear 2in + 2-3in suspension lift front and rear as described = 4-5in.

2in+ 2-3in = 4-5in

 

i bought torsion keys for the front of my 94 4wd dakota and i wanted to know how hard its going to be to swap the old for the new. i have 2in blocks and add a leafs on the back and im looking to level the truck out a bit

 

the driveshaft is great at slinging fluid that leaks from close by, all over the place. The U joint does not hold fluid maybe a little grease IF it is teh kind that can be greased in the 1sst place.
Front diff yoke seal engine tranny lines or somethin like these are probably dripping onto the shaft.