Hey guys. I stumbled upon a gem of a Dakota on craigslist the other day. 1994 SLT 5.2L 4x4 Club Cab with 167,000 miles. This thing looks great, however there is always some bad to go along with the good. The current agreement is to trade my 1992 LE 3.9L 4x4 club cab with 130,000 miles plus $2500 in cash. Photos of both trucks are below.

Let's start with the good:

Completely rust free!! It's in fantastic cosmetic shape. Paint looks great with minimal dents/scuffs. Wheel wells, frame, underbody and engine bay are all in mint condition with no rust.

Trail Master 4" suspension lift!!! There are also brand new rims wrapped in 90% rubber.

The 5.2L starts and runs great. I couldn't find any issues with the motor.

Tranny feels fine as well. It did seem to shift a little rough, but I think that's just me being used to a 5 speed. It was fine, but I could feel the shifts (slight jerk). I assume those old 46RS trannys were never very smooth. Also, the 4wd works as it should. No problems there.

The truck rides nice and the steering feels normal.

Now for the bad. The following is a list of things wrong with it (most are fairly minor):

The brakes are shot. Needs new rotors, pads, shoes, and possibly drums. The e-brake is also not functioning. Should be an easy fix though, the cable moves freely.

All the seat belts are missing!

The battery voltage gauge in the cluster is not working. Looks like some mechanical failure in the gauge itself.

Passenger mirror glass is broken.

Something's wrong with the driver's seat. It wont fold forward.

The windshield washer sprayer is not functioning. Also, the mechanical mechanism that drives the wipers sounds terrible! Wipers work fine though.

The exhaust is rotted and it sounds like there's an exhaust leak up near the headers or the y-pipe. Could definitely use a whole new exhaust system.

The padding above the rear seats that supports your back has been basically torn out and is ruined. Would need to pick up a replacement from a junker.

Finally, there are cracks on about 3 separate sections of the dash. While small, they are quite visible to the driver and passengers.


Okay. There are a handful of photos of the 94 attached to this post. Check them out.

 

Here are some photos of my 92 Dakota.

The write up for mine is easy. There is almost nothing wrong with the truck mechanically. Also, the interior is mint. It's always been kept up mechanically, and it needs nothing to be road worthy and enjoyed.

The only bad is the lack of paint and a some very light surface rust in a few areas.

**Having some issues uploading my photos. Here's one. You'll get the idea.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j4m98h327e...17.39.jpg?dl=0

 

So, I'd like to know your opinions on whether or not you think this is a good deal. I figure there is at least $1000 in repairs that need to be done on the 94, while my 92 needs nothing. However, that body is in such nice shape! I would have a much nicer truck overall if I fixed the list of things wrong with the 94. Plus, that lift is so rare! It's hard to pass up this opportunity.

But, I'm leaning towards "bad deal" because of the required repairs. I offered him the trade plus $1500 cash but he won't take it.

What do you guys think?

 

I don't have a lot of advise if its a good deal or not, but if you do decide to get it, and want seats for it, I seen these on craigslist. http://richmond.craigslist.org/pts/4739285534.html
I know nothing about the seats, other then the add, and Im not sure how well the newer seats fit. Also, no idea where you live, other then earth.

 

That is a VERY nice looking truck, aside from the stupid mudflaps. Any truck of that age is likely to need at least some work...if not now, then soon.

Brakes - no big deal
Seat belts missing - why anyone would remove the seatbelts, I don't know...might say something about who owned the truck. Still, no big deal...junkyard
Voltage gauge - probably a minor repair; junkyard
Mirror glass - junkyard
Driver's seat - interesting...mine has the same problem. It is annoying.
Windshield washer sprayer - minor repair; junkyard
Exhaust - A header-back exhaust system here in the states would likely run about $300 USD (edit: forgot y-pipe...maybe $350), and that's something aluminized steel that MIGHT last 5 years in the salt. Stainless would obviously be much more, and if it needs headers, then even more.
Cracked dash - if you're worried about this, you could do a whole dash swap. It's not a horrible job...not fun though.

I would say your estimate of $1000 is definitely reasonable...if you're doing the work yourself. you might come in a fair bit under that if you make full use of a junkyard.

Most of the repairs are minor, as you said, but I don't think I'd pay $3500 for that ($2500 + your truck at least worth $1000). 167,000 miles, too. The trucks just not worth it IMO. Then again, I don't know how much that Trailmaster kit would realistically add to the price of the truck. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than a few hundred for it, but I'm sure it's worth more for other people.

 

the trailmaster kit sold for 1300 us~ being conservative considering it can be found for less and in places more ..

2500 is about all i would pay period for that truck.... without trading yours.. so with yours id say about 1200 or so would be about right otherwise your getting ripped with he issues it has..

The truck does look like it was repainted as you can see the 2 tone upper side has a big thick stripping to hid the screw up in the colour change... same stripping i used on my dad's F-150 when i redid the 2tone lol also the decals and so on on rear tailgate are missing for the 4x4 etc.. another indication of repaint.. so me drops the value since its not original..

i sold my 1992 LE Club Cab 5.2 4x4 (mechanically fit with certificate as required in ontario for registration) for 5500cnd. now it had 33X14 boggers and 32X11.5 AT's with it, body lift, modded suspension built winch bumper etc.. but only had 137000KM's so 80k miles... and looked like amazing paint was original wasnt 100% but was around 97% after wetsanding and buffing ..