Hey everyone,

Me and my father bought a 1996 Dakota 3.9 Magnum 5-speed. We have had it for about 8 months now at 72k miles and it has had 0 problems so far. The truck has great low-end grunt which is great for what we need it for which is mostly working around the houses (hauling, pulling, etc). I am looking forward to coming here whenever I have questions.

My first couple of questions are:
1. Should we be doing the timing chain soon at 72K??
2. Shocks seem a little soft up front, maybe im just used to my GTI, but when do front shocks usually go on this trucks?
3. Interested in putting a snow plow on it. Is the V6 enough to have one? If so what snow plows do you guys recommend?

 

Timing chain is recommended to be changed at 60k intervals. It will probably start making noise from stretch at about 100K

Shocks will seem soft on the truck, if they are original, replace them.

You will find that its probably not enough truck for a snow plow on a V6 5 speed. Im not saying it cant of shouldnt be done, but I wouldnt do it when I had a V6.

 

Timing chains rarely need changing. That's the wonderful thing about them. I think you are thinking of a timing belt 360DakotaPwr. My '92 still has it's original chain at 230K+ miles. Unless it's making a lot of noise, I wouldn't consider that a regularly serviced item.

 

I agree with JDak92 on the timing chain. As for the shocks, the easiest way to check them is to go to each corner of the vehicle one at a time of course and press down on the bumper really good and then release it. If the vehicle only bounces once or less, then your shocks are still good. If it bounces more than once before settling, then the shocks are worn and should be replaced. They can feel soft and still be good. It probably justs feels worn because of your payload on the truck, since you say you use it alot for hauling things. If so, it might be a good idea to put a heavier duty shock on, instead of stock shocks. As for a snow plow. I don't see why you couldn't put one on your truck. I found a site that lists plows for 2 and 4 wheel drive dakota's. It doesn't specify motor sizes. They do make them for the Jeep Liberty's though too and the biggest motor they have is the V6, so why not a V6 Dakota. Here's the link Snow Plow for Dakota's. Good luck.

 

I would also recommend some overload springs for the back. This will help your rear suspension out immensely when carrying heavy loads all the time.

 

Im saying its been said it should be changed at 60K intervals. It may not be the problem, but they are known for making a lot of noise. People even diagnose it as lifter tick sometimes, but you can go in a put in a timing chain and it will sound like a new motor. But yes, I wouldnt change it unless its making noise.