I have a 1st gen dakota, 3.9 2wd. I've been on the hunt for a clean 4wd version for about 6 months, but everything I find is really worn out. I don't like the interior as much in the 2nd gen, but it's much easier to find lower mileage examples, but the bodies are always horrible rusted piles of ****.

What did Dodge do? Why do 2nd gen dakotas rust out so badly? I really want a MIDSIZE truck, which means Dakota or Tacoma, and consider Tacomas are worth their weight in solid gold bars lately, it looks like a Dakota is all I can afford. I'm interested in 2nd gens, but every single one has severe rust on the fenders, box, cab, bumpers, etc. Even if I do find a clean one, I'm super hesitant to pull the trigger since it will probably just rot out in a year. What the hell is wrong with these trucks?

 

LOL....google "Tacoma frame rust" too see how bad they rust out.....

 

Yup. Which had a recall and replacement at Toyota's expense. If dodge were to do this they'd have to replace the fenders, cab, box, bumpers.... and they never did that.

 

I think the 'rust thru' warranty was only good for six years...... and only if you had the dealer installed 'rustproofing'...... For what it's worth...

 

Fly down South and drive one back. They are rust free down here. Mine doesn't have a speck. Atlanta is full of Dakotas.

 

I got a 20 year old 2nd gen full of rust