Hi everyone, I have a 96 Dakota that admittedly has some frame issues. I had to do some welding last year before it was inspected. I just noticed this when I was redoing the brake line. Is it inspection worthy, or just unsafe? Is it fixable/worth it to fix it on a truck that seems to rust exponentially faster every year? Thanks everyone, Nick

 

Unless I'm missing something the rot is on the underside of your cab, not on your frame. Do you have other areas where the frame is rotting?

The "is it worth it" question is up to you. I currently have my Dakota down to its chassis to paint the frame and fix a bit of rust. To you that may not be worth it.

If your cab is in really bad shape it may be worth finding a good condition cab and swapping it over, depending on where you are.

 

Anything can be fixed, if you want to spend the time and money. I'm betting, tho, that if you put a wrench on that mounting bolt in your pic that it would come away flakier than a breakfast bisquit. There's no metal holding the truck body up at that mounting point.

Hard for us to tell based on one picture, basically you need to make the call. At this point, tho, our 96's aren't rare or particularly valuable. Not candidates for an Overhaulin' style full restoration. And it's your butt in the seat running down the road at highway speeds--when/if it collapses it'll be your butt sliding down the pavement.

My best guess is that, based on what you've posted, you already know the answer to the question.

 

thanks for your advice. I am looking for a new truck, but I kinda want this one to last until at least november when the sticker is up. the other three cab mounts are solid, so am I totally compromised or can I get away with it until then? Its too bad, the engine only has 102,000 miles on it. I'm deciding whether or not to give it a tune up or if its not even worth it.

 

I don't think I'd do any aerial acrobatics with it, and the info is rather sketchy. If you wonder if it's safe, go have it inspected. For most of the northern hemisphere, tho, the rust season doesn't start 'til late November, so it probably won't get any worse.

 

no aerial acrobatics, got it. ill take it to a mechanic and see if its worth it and what he thinks. i appreciate everyones advice, and anyone else who wants to comment feel free, im definitely open to opinions!