I'm a newbie here and to Dodge trucks. I'm looking at a 93 Dakota LE with a 318 V8. It has 162000 miles. Are these pretty dependable trucks. Is there anything I should look for? Did they have any major problems? Thanks for the help.

 

These are pretty dependable/reliable trucks.
A common problem for these trucks was a splice would go bad (corrode), this splice supplies battery power to the fuel pump and automatic shutdown relays. You would know if this was bad because, well, the truck wouldn't start.
Depending on who you talk to, some people say the automatic transmissions are crap, but, many people have well over 100,000 (or 200,000) on the original transmission. It all depends on 1.) how well you take care of it, 2.) if you tow, 3.) how well you take care of it, and 4.) how well you take care of it. I have 97,000 on my '96 V-6 (which is the 318 just missing 2 cylinders), as far as I know original transmission, and it still runs fine.
Just remember, your looking at a 13 (almost 14) year old truck, with 162,000 miles. Things aren't going to be perfect. Keep that in mind.
Ask to see maintenance records, or at least ask leading questions (i.e. word them in such ways to trick them into saying stuff if they didn't keep the truck maintained well) about the trucks maintenance.
If your mechanically inclined, take a good look over the truck. If your not mechanically inclined, or have other questions, don't be afraid to take it to a competant mechanic.
Hopefully, its a good truck and you can post us some pic's back of your new baby.