I picked up this 1 owner truck last year (sitting for 10 years) for $300 to use as a frame donor for my '49 Stude 1/2 ton...well plans have changed, the Stude has to go, So now I have this Dakota....thinking of going thru it to make it safe for my 16 yo grand daughter. Front end, brakes, etc.....it's not currently a driver, no idea about motor or transmission but is not in too bad a shape body wise, just a worn out interior......is this a good/bad plan given the age and parts availability ? Opinions ?
Thanks

 

Better question…your granddaughter isn’t the type that insists on having a new cute car?

 

I might be tempted to have her over, see what she thinks about the idea, and if she would be willing to HELP YOU get it on the road. A 'free' car is nothing to turn your nose up at.....

 

Well if it were me I'd look on RA to see what parts are available. That will give you some idea. AFAIK from reading threads on here the control arms for some of them are hard to find or may be a junk yard item. And some of the front end bushings are NLA but you can use bushings from another truck and just cut it to length. You can put any motor that any 1st gen Dakota had in it as long as you have the right computer and wiring to connect up. Almost everything 88-96 will cross over. The differences being the switch from the LA motor to the Magnum motor in 93 I think it was.