Why did you buy a Dakota, and
Professional
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: 99006
Actually my parents gave it to me. But since I paid for the tires, new rearend, radiator, and everything else for them I figure it is a push. I won't get rid of it because I have way to much into it. So unless someone Tbones it or the engine blows I will have it for awhile. I would much rather have a Ram but so far I have not had any issues towing or hauling anything, as I proved yesterday with 2K lbs of dirt I had in it.
And it drives nice. I figure they have the really nice ride because the torsion bar suspension gives it a car like ride.
And it drives nice. I figure they have the really nice ride because the torsion bar suspension gives it a car like ride.
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville, TN
I'm right there with you, I really have an attachment to mine. Been growing up in my truck since i was only 3 years old. Even if it gets wrecked i keep fixing it. I just cant let go of the old guy lol
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 12
From: Lancaster, PA
My foray into the old Daks was sorta by accident. My best friend's little brother bought the '92 2wd dak on a whim. 180k miles, paint all faded out, looked like a bad deal.
He paid $2200 for it, in the dark, without test driving it, with his brother's (my best friend's) money. Idiot got lucky though. Motor is rock solid, frame has no rust whatsoever and the body was decent until we got ahold of it.
He neglected to repay his brother, so it was repossessed. After my buddy drove it for two years, it needed too much stuff to be worth it to him. He bought a little toyota econobox and gave me the old Dakota as a wedding present. Free truck! (cost $1200 and a 55gal drum of elbow grease to pass inspection though...)
That little thing was an absolute tank. Took (and takes!) all kinds of abuse that I throw at it. Great work truck. When it was time for a 4x4, I was sold on another first gen Dakota.
I love these little trucks.
He paid $2200 for it, in the dark, without test driving it, with his brother's (my best friend's) money. Idiot got lucky though. Motor is rock solid, frame has no rust whatsoever and the body was decent until we got ahold of it.
He neglected to repay his brother, so it was repossessed. After my buddy drove it for two years, it needed too much stuff to be worth it to him. He bought a little toyota econobox and gave me the old Dakota as a wedding present. Free truck! (cost $1200 and a 55gal drum of elbow grease to pass inspection though...)
That little thing was an absolute tank. Took (and takes!) all kinds of abuse that I throw at it. Great work truck. When it was time for a 4x4, I was sold on another first gen Dakota.
I love these little trucks.
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 50
I have had 3 (still have 2 of those) all 2wd
dakota #1 was a 90 longbed; I liked the ideaof a non full sized truck that I could put a sheet of plywood in the bed and close the tailgate.... I had that truck about 5 years drove the snot out of it used it to tow with all over (usually a car on a dolly)
never let me down but as my son grew the truck cab "shrunk" Fine for 2 people definitely not for 3.... so back to a full size...
after 2 full size Dodges (I dont miss the 97 but do miss the 83 3/4 ton) I found myself driving 80 miles a day for school (never thought I'd see myself back in school in my 40s) the 83 was eating me alive at the pump with $4 gas
Dakota #2
I kept seein this 94 sitting sometimewith "for Sale" sign sometimes w/o but it never moved so I knocked on the door and wound up buying it; the 3rd day I blew the trans (it got me home though with no OD or reverse) so after a rebuild (OD unit was toast) I drove the snot out of it for 6 months and 14K miles; the OD unit ate itself again, the next to last day of school; so it is in the garage. 6 weeks prior I had stumbled across #3 a 318 clubcab '93 with a real nice body and a bad tranny, a torn apart column and supposedly bad engine; the engine wound up fine (header leak caused "knock") and since I had a NV 3500 and 94 M/T computer here, yup; I fixed that 46 RH permanently; I replaced it w/a manual! so far so good; heavier truck (CC vs RC) same gearing between the 93 and 94, 2 more cylinders to feed and the 93's V8 is no worse on gas than the 94's 6 cyl was; I now have another 46 RH to replace the now twice overhauled 42 RH (it had been into by a PO) along with the 46 RH from the 93; one way or nother the 94 with its V6 is gettin a 46 RH put in....I don't have to be in a hurry though since I transferred the plates from it to the 93.... I may transfer the plates back, once I swap trannys; since I just started a new job a week ago 30 mi away, and would rather pile the miles on the reg cab shortbed and "save" the CC truck, keep it nice. though I have a few friends lookin for a '1st vehicle' for their kids so once I swap trannys I may part with it... yet to be seen.
I do like gen I's much better than anything newer
dakota #1 was a 90 longbed; I liked the ideaof a non full sized truck that I could put a sheet of plywood in the bed and close the tailgate.... I had that truck about 5 years drove the snot out of it used it to tow with all over (usually a car on a dolly)
never let me down but as my son grew the truck cab "shrunk" Fine for 2 people definitely not for 3.... so back to a full size...
after 2 full size Dodges (I dont miss the 97 but do miss the 83 3/4 ton) I found myself driving 80 miles a day for school (never thought I'd see myself back in school in my 40s) the 83 was eating me alive at the pump with $4 gas
Dakota #2
I kept seein this 94 sitting sometimewith "for Sale" sign sometimes w/o but it never moved so I knocked on the door and wound up buying it; the 3rd day I blew the trans (it got me home though with no OD or reverse) so after a rebuild (OD unit was toast) I drove the snot out of it for 6 months and 14K miles; the OD unit ate itself again, the next to last day of school; so it is in the garage. 6 weeks prior I had stumbled across #3 a 318 clubcab '93 with a real nice body and a bad tranny, a torn apart column and supposedly bad engine; the engine wound up fine (header leak caused "knock") and since I had a NV 3500 and 94 M/T computer here, yup; I fixed that 46 RH permanently; I replaced it w/a manual! so far so good; heavier truck (CC vs RC) same gearing between the 93 and 94, 2 more cylinders to feed and the 93's V8 is no worse on gas than the 94's 6 cyl was; I now have another 46 RH to replace the now twice overhauled 42 RH (it had been into by a PO) along with the 46 RH from the 93; one way or nother the 94 with its V6 is gettin a 46 RH put in....I don't have to be in a hurry though since I transferred the plates from it to the 93.... I may transfer the plates back, once I swap trannys; since I just started a new job a week ago 30 mi away, and would rather pile the miles on the reg cab shortbed and "save" the CC truck, keep it nice. though I have a few friends lookin for a '1st vehicle' for their kids so once I swap trannys I may part with it... yet to be seen.
I do like gen I's much better than anything newer