Girlfriend wanted a truck. I have owned 2 Dodge trucks in the past and bolth ran without fail with SERIOUS driving abuse so why not a 3rd?? I got a 1988 Dakota 4x4 for 600.00$ running. It has 215360 miles. There are some issues but most I can fix no problem(just need paycheck). The engine looses oil pressure at idle once warmed up(light comes on) sludge buildup mabe?? I did a tune up I.E. cap, rotor, plugs, oil filter, belts. Most things looked worn but ok. Darn thing leaks oil (valve cover gaskets) and auto trans fluid Badly!! 4x4 works ok, auto trans works ok. Rearend is a lsd\posy?? I can't turn(rearend) 1 wheel opposite direction direction than the other without a Major strugle. I do have an engine surge sometimes so mabe clogged fuel filter\injectors?? I gota do more tune up this weekend, seafoam and whatnot. I did notice that the steering (pitman?) control arm is badly worn/sloppy. I have never had to remove the control arm from a steering box before so I need a puller for this?? or do I take the whole thing to a shop?? I have a gear\harmonic balancer puller I think will work. Its a two jaw\arm type. I just want to know if there is anything I should look at closely?? Thanks for any input as this is the newest Dodge I have owned. And yes I can work on cars no problem as I have a mint restored 1976 Datsun 280Z I did by myself, ground up, front to back. The only thing I had to outsource was the paint job..

 

oops i forgot to post the engine is a 3.9 v6 and the basic 4x4 package...I do mean basic.

 

Rearend. Probably not a LSD if one wheel spins the opposite way. Mine is, when I spin one wheel the other turns teh same way.

Pitman arm: be resourceful, a standard puller will help along with a big hammer.

You probably will lose some oil pressure at 200K. Time to freshen it up a bit.

Tranny fluid is probably the pan gasket, they go to **** after a year anyway unless you buy a good one.