2nd Gen Dakota Tech 1997 - 2004 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 2nd Gen Dakota.

New guy! and i have some questions before i buy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-11-2009 | 10:24 PM
Outlaw Incorporated's Avatar
Outlaw Incorporated
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default New guy! and i have some questions before i buy

hey guys i am new here and wanted to ask some questions before i bought a dodge dakota

i have one for a decent deal locally on craigslist. it seems to be in good shape when i called the guy today he said he just got the oil changed and it was ready to go

here is the craigslist ad
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1212346328.html

it needs tires like the ad says and the a/c fixed. but that isnt that big of a deal.

he said it also has a crack in the exhaust before the cat. converter.

another non issue to me.

first question.

would this be a good buy?

how reliable would it be?

what kind of mpg?

what could the a/c problem be? he said it might be a vaccum line or something... idk???

what is a truck like that worth?

i own/work in a motorcycle shop and have acces to tools and have the ability to work on it...

last question is that i have a pair of 10" kicker l7's that have a mounting depth of 6 1/4 would they fit under the rear seat if i made a custom box?
 
  #2  
Old 06-11-2009 | 11:22 PM
Outlaw Incorporated's Avatar
Outlaw Incorporated
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

anyone? i am going to look at it tomorrow if my day goes the way it should
 
  #3  
Old 06-11-2009 | 11:31 PM
tamcnally's Avatar
tamcnally
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury, Vermont (home) - Lima, Ohio (school)
Default

buy it.

if not only because its a dakota but because that is a awesome deal.

as for the a/c problem, it could be anything from just needing to be recharged to needing a compressor. so there needs to be more info than just a/c not working.

not really sure on the mpg's of the 3.9, but my 3.7 is at like 18 highway. maybe the 3.9 guys could give you some more input on that.

and i have no idea if it would fit under the back seat, but i have a 10'' sub in my reg cab, under the middle jumper seat. and seeings how this is the USA, anything is possible.

so, good luck, the truck looks awesome, i say go for it, but hey its your money and your call.
 
  #4  
Old 06-11-2009 | 11:39 PM
Outlaw Incorporated's Avatar
Outlaw Incorporated
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

thx...

i think i will have to go look at it tomorrow...

i had about a 3200 budget on a truck that we could deliver motorcycles in and parts in and this looks like a good deal...

how much could i sell the camper top for? and the front brush gaurd? cause i do not need them...

i may have to measure tomorrow to see what will fit if i buy it...

one last question how hard would it be to covert it to having power windows/locks?
 
  #5  
Old 06-11-2009 | 11:42 PM
tamcnally's Avatar
tamcnally
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury, Vermont (home) - Lima, Ohio (school)
Default

im not positive, but i would imagine that the truck has the same wiring harness that a truck with power windows and locks would have, so i bet the plugs are right in the under the door panel, so you would just have to get the guts out of the door on the same year truck with power windows and locks. if not just find power and ground and make it work.
 
  #6  
Old 06-12-2009 | 12:06 AM
Outlaw Incorporated's Avatar
Outlaw Incorporated
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

gotcha...

is there anything i should test check or look for that would make me not what it?

like any hidden issues i look for?
 
  #7  
Old 06-12-2009 | 08:53 AM
deranged's Avatar
deranged
Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1
Default

I would want to know what he was towing behind it. The 3.9 shouldn't be hurt with 130,000 on it if it was taken care of and being a 4X4 will probably only get around 16 mpg. If however it was used for alot of heavy towing I would look elsewhere. It's already went through at least one tranny. Tires, air conditioner,and exhaust could run you between $1500-$2000 if the compressor is shot and believe me with that black truck you'll want working air. There should be factory harnesses in the doors so yes that part is feasable with junkyard parts. You would have to make your own box for subs. I don't think there is 6.5 inches under the factory seats, the floor pan kicks up under them. I would have no idea how much you could get for the parts off of it although there are probably some guys in this section drooling over them right now!
 
  #8  
Old 06-13-2009 | 01:05 AM
Outlaw Incorporated's Avatar
Outlaw Incorporated
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Default

thx for the info... i will check...

i dropped my phone in the pool today and had no way to call the guy!! !argggghhhhh...

hopefully he got my email explaining it...

i mean how would i check the transmission? he said it has about 25K miles on the new transmission...

i got a buddy who sells tires and i can get a set for like 450 dollars...

i may buy the truck and sell the bruish gaurd and camper for like 100 bux a piece to pay for half the tires....
 
  #9  
Old 06-13-2009 | 12:24 PM
bpark8824's Avatar
bpark8824
Champion
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,300
Likes: 2
From: Plattsburgh, NY
Default

If it comes w/ issues there will be more to come. I would never buy a vehicle that already has problems with it. It shows it was not completely taken care of and a 3.9 HAS to be taken care of to last. My 3.9 $hit the bed at 116k, because the owner before didn't take perfect care of it. It wasn't bad but it was enough. The 3.9 is not the most reliable motor. I'd look for a 3.7, 4.7, or 5.2. The OHC motors seem to be more reliable and get better gas milage.

I mean its your money, but I personally would not touch it. I wouldn't buy a 3.9 again especially one that already has some problems and has been towed with. I know towing puts more the strain on the tranny but that also means the motor is working harder too and will be at higher rpm's more offen.
 

Last edited by bpark8824; 06-13-2009 at 12:28 PM.
  #10  
Old 06-13-2009 | 12:47 PM
dualdakota01's Avatar
dualdakota01
Professional
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From:
Default

hey,
i might be able to shed some light on this... i owned a 2001 v6 3.9. had 180,000km on it and was in excellent shape. however it was not very peppy and now that i own a v8 4.7 4x4 i find the gas mileage is almost the same. must have to do with the weight of the vehicle. the 3.9 i found to be under powered compared to the milage and power i get from the v8. so for comparable mpg and way more towing power i would have to advise stay'n away from the v6's. just not worth the few bucks you save on gas. might as well go for the bigger engine and have all the options if u want to haul or tow something later.
and i agree with the others.. shop around this dude looks like he did some cosmetic stuff but didnt' really take care of it much and is selling it before it becomes too much a headache for him. u could find a decent one in better shape without that wierd grill /lights for a bit more but better taken care of. just my 2cnts
 



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:01 PM.