Hi all I'm a Neon guy but need a small work truck and was wondering if there are any basic problem things to check before buying a 1992 dakota with 90,000 miles? thanks for any advice!

 

If you are mecahnically inclined, just take a good look over it, if not, take it to a trust-worty mechanic.
Ask for the maintenance records.
Check all the fluids, pay speical attention to the oil and transmission fluid. Ask the owner if it leaks any fluids or burns or uses any oil.
You might want to have the front end checked out (ball joints and tie rods).
I mean, over all, these trucks are pretty darn reliable. Heck, as far as I know, pretty much everything on my truck is original (I bought the truck with 86,000 on it), and I just replaced my shocks at 97,000 miles, and they could have went longer.
Make sure the engine compartment is relatively clean (not a lot of dirt or oil all over). When I bought mine, there was no oil on the throttle body "butterfly" plates, and the valve covers were pretty darn clean. Come to think of it, the whole engine compartment was pretty darn clean, and still is.
Just look thru the manintenance records, and ask about anything that looks or seems funny.