Im looking to replaced my late hemi RC Ram with a 99 dakota slt 4x4.
The trucks got a 318 and 33in Bfg ist pushing 132000 miles the bad things are the tires rub because its stock ride height so I need a solution for that. The trucks transmission also need some work because you have to let off the gas for 3rd gear to engage. and my final problem is the engine oil light is on but the truck has oil. I Really appreciate any help with any of the three problems I know the big tires can fit with a lift I just am wondering what lift you guys are using pricing etc.
Thanks

 

There are no lifts for dakotas. But it's 4x4, so you can crank on the torsion bars a little and gain some from that. Most of us brave people in dako's call 31 (4x2) or 32 (4x4 w/ TB crank) as the upper limit. I'm on 31's and banging the top of the fender (4x2).

 

Sounds like the truck needs a lot of work. Depending on the price you may have a deal or you may not.

The 318 is a common engine & can easily be replaced with a 360 (bolt in & basically the same block - even the 318 computer will run the 360)

The oil light being on when there is oil in the case means there is no oil pressure & the engine is close to doomed if not already. Usually that means excessive wear on engien internals, but it could also be the oil pump. In any case - not good.

As far as the tires - I'll have to leave that to the lift guys. I run stockers myself.

 

could also be a bad oil pressure sensor, unless the guage is manual??

 

Keep your Ram.

You got tires to replace, a transmission to rebuild and main bearings and/or oil pump bar (reads replace engine).

Unless you like to pour money into a bottomless pit or the truck is free and includes everything you need to make it driveable.

 

if I could keep my ram I would It got killed by a 600lb bear driving home one night.
the motor seemed healthy I was kind of concerned by the transmission and the whole letting off the gas to to get it to engage. but thanks for the advice

 

yea the truck is toast pretty much, it will be a major headache and drain your wallet pretty fast if you were to buy it. LIke the one guy said if it is free then take it.

Its really easy to find Dakotas too, this one is not worth your time!

Good luck!!!

 

First of all there are lifts for Dakotas. They are just extremely expensive due to the IFS/torsion bar setup. If you used 2in blocks in the back and cranked the TB's the 33s will probably fit, might need a little trimming.

Secondly, it needs a new tranny. That is all there is to it. So there is $1500 anyway.

And yeah, if the oil light is on. That doesn't mean there is no oil, that means there is no oil pressure. NOT good. Like midget-farms said, that motor is most likely toast. If there is no oil pressure something internal is broken, or the oil pump is shot. Either way you have big troubles because the damage has already been done and just a matter of time before the motor ****s the bed.

You're going to be putting in 3-4k dollars. So even if it is cheap you can tack on 3-4k extra pretty easy. Keep looking. It is not worth it in anyway. Be patient and keep looking. There are a lot of Dakotas out there and some really nice ones. Look, look, and keep looking. Eventually you will find one in your price range and will be in 10x better condition.

If there is one thing I have learned with vehicles is that if it comes with problems, there is going to be a lot more down the road.

All I can say is stay away. Stay really really far away. It's just a matter of time before this becomes a HUGE project with a lot of problems. It's inevitable.