I just got a 1998 Dark Green Dakota, it's got a v6, 2x4, 119k miles.(picture below !!!) I got it for a good price but it's running a little rough. I am going to do a tune up with plugs, wires, cap, rotor, already put a new muffler on and did a coolant flush/heater core flush, new thermostat.

Is there anything that usually goes out in terms of sensors or anything that I can look at while I'm trying to breath some new life into my Dakota ? This is going to be the family camping (pop up camper towing) truck so I want to get it fix up and running great by the time summer gets here. I am going to get my father in law to let me come and hook up to the computer and see if it is putting out any codes, the guy I got it from said he thinks it needs a new o2 sensor, and that is what is causing the check engine light to stay on. But until then I want to iron out as much problem areas that I can.

I have a few problems with the breaks like I know a lot of other people have, when I first start it an ABS light comes on for a few seconds but the ABS does not work and the front breaks lock up in the snow. I also have some squeaking rear breaks that I am going to fix and I'm going to pick up some shocks, I was looking at the Gabriel ultras at auto zone but I hear there not that great in the long run.

So tune up ideas ? Good shocks for a fair price ( I don't off road but I will be pulling a camper). Tips, tricks, just say hi to a new Doge Dakota owner

 

For checkin codes turn the key to the on position 3 times but dont start(on-off-on-off-on) When you odo shows up turn the truck back off and repeat then on the third time leave it on and the codes will display in the odo and pdone will show when its done checkin for codes. You can find all the codes in the faq section.

Shocks monro reflex's are good. pro comp es9000's are good as well

Brakes they are a problem on dakota my front also lock up when in snow and its because we only have rear abs

 

well explained above!

 

*cough*rims*cough*

 

Thanks Dodgeramguy, I am going to look up the codes tonight after work. I will check out the Monroe shocks I think they sell them at Oreily's (murray's) auto parts down the street from me.

The bolt pattern on the Dakota rims are not real common right? I think I was reading someone talking about it being harder swap rims with other trucks.

 

Yes, the pattern is 4.5 x 6, instead of the more common 5.5 x 6. they are out there though...

 

welcome to the site. you can fit some cragar soft 8's on there. nice simple wheel thats strong and comes in chrome or black.

 

Yeah the wheels are odd but if you spend enough time looking online you can find a decent amount out there.

 

So I ran the codes and two came up, P0420 and I think that was due to the catalytic converter going bad and being replaced only a few days ago. Second code was p0720 - output speed sensor. I have noticed a little bit of a hard shift from first to second when I first start off in when it's cold.

We reset the codes and as soon as I shifted from first to second it poped up again so I will be replacing the output speed sensor, as for the other code it didn't pop up again but I am going to check again when I change out the speed sensor and do a tune up to see if it helps with the rough idle.

What do you guys think about painting the rims black like 00daksport did with his ?? They look nice, but I know they are then newer style rim and it looks good with the red, might look crappy with green, maybe not though ? I did my Jeep Cherokee's stock rims in flat black and it looks pretty good, it's white and has some mud tires with a 3 inch lift so the black/white looks cool. I am going to keep the Dakota more stock, maybe some 31x10.5 tires but no lifts.

Maybe I could add some black fender flairs also and that would kind of tie in the black rims... hmmm

 

Do you have a better day time pic? I can even try to photo shop it.
Here is my truck photo shoped like I said im not a pro but you get a idea

newblackwheels.jpg