Newbie: 96 Dakota V8 Magnum 2WD
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Hollywood, CA
Newbie: 96 Dakota V8 Magnum 2WD
Howdy all,
I just bought a 1996 Dakota Extended Cab 5.2L V8 Magnum 2WD a couple days ago and figured it was best to join a forum since it will most likely become a project.
I posted on the new member forum but thought I'd post here too since I do own a Dak.
My original post is here:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/new-mem...agnum-2wd.html
I am in the market for a trustworthy mechanic here in Los Angeles, if anyone has a suggestion I would appreciate it.
For now I am going to going to see a guy about some suspension. He comes recommended by a 4x4 friend so I hope it turns out. Wish me luck.
Here are some pictures for now. I will take better ones with a real camera later.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachm...wd-dakota2.jpg
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachm...wd-dakota1.jpg
I just bought a 1996 Dakota Extended Cab 5.2L V8 Magnum 2WD a couple days ago and figured it was best to join a forum since it will most likely become a project.
I posted on the new member forum but thought I'd post here too since I do own a Dak.
My original post is here:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/new-mem...agnum-2wd.html
I am in the market for a trustworthy mechanic here in Los Angeles, if anyone has a suggestion I would appreciate it.
For now I am going to going to see a guy about some suspension. He comes recommended by a 4x4 friend so I hope it turns out. Wish me luck.
Here are some pictures for now. I will take better ones with a real camera later.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachm...wd-dakota2.jpg
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachm...wd-dakota1.jpg
All Star
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
Sweet, they're good trucks...Achilles heel is probably frame rust, but you're in LA so I presume you don't have to worry about that! Out here most of the ones on Craigslist are selling for parts only because of dangerous frame rot. 
This forum is an EXCELLENT resource, I can attest to that. I've learned a lot about my truck and am willing to share whatever I know...and there's a bunch of people here that know more than I.
Check the FAQs/Stickys for some suspension info...lots of good stuff in there...I'm assuming you want to lift it?
This forum is an EXCELLENT resource, I can attest to that. I've learned a lot about my truck and am willing to share whatever I know...and there's a bunch of people here that know more than I.
Check the FAQs/Stickys for some suspension info...lots of good stuff in there...I'm assuming you want to lift it?
Thread Starter
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Hollywood, CA
Thanks for the info. For now I want it lifted about 2 inches just to get a better ride and tow abilities.
The one thing I noticed about this truck is that it had NO rust! Maybe 1/8 inch in the wheel wells where the plastic attaches. And that was only in a small spot on the rear.
The truck was a salvage title, and I can notice a spot on the frame where it was probably worked out. But it was very minor and the truck drives as straight and smooth as an arrow.
Only thing is that suspension. Im headed out now to check it out.
The one thing I noticed about this truck is that it had NO rust! Maybe 1/8 inch in the wheel wells where the plastic attaches. And that was only in a small spot on the rear.
The truck was a salvage title, and I can notice a spot on the frame where it was probably worked out. But it was very minor and the truck drives as straight and smooth as an arrow.
Only thing is that suspension. Im headed out now to check it out.
All Star
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 22
From: Connecticut
For better tow abilities you may want to beef up the rear suspension... Maybe helper springs or Monroe coilover rear shocks. Dunno really how much it would need cause I haven't towed with mine yet. I think you have the best setup for towing with respect to weight capacity as far as first gen Dakotas go.