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A Noob Dakota and Member

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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 12:09 PM
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Default A Noob Dakota and Member

Hello guys/gals. I'm new here.

Just bought my first Dakota - a 98 SLT extended cab 4x4, V6 3.9, auto with 120k miles on it. It's a very clean truck with alot of work done by the dealer to close the deal. They put a new waterpump, thermostat, radiator, new AC compressor and new tires on it which i've already upgraded to some nice offroad/mud tires. This thing was a steal at 4500 bucks.





I do have a couple of questions about Dakotas. One thing that's driving me nuts is the fact that there is no center console with cup holders. There is only 4 inches between the seat and the tray that wraps the 4 wheel drive shifter. Does anyone know where I can get some sort of aftermarket console built for the Dakotas?

The other problem I have with this truck is the prior owner cleaned the plexi dash glass (over the gauges) with paint thinner or something that fogged it up. I can barely see the temperature gauges. I called the dealer and they want 150 bucks for the plexi and local parts stores don't sell it. Short of going to a junk yard, does anyone make aftermarket plexi.

Other than these two things, I cannot complain about this truck at all. Coming from a ford F150, I'm much happier with this truck.

 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 03:03 PM
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Default RE: A Noob Dakota and Member

My '03 SXT has a center console that includes the storage area and a big third cup holder in the middle along with the two cupholders down below the radio. Perhaps you can find one of those in a junkyard.

What tires are those?
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 04:54 PM
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Default RE: A Noob Dakota and Member

my 99 slt sport has a 3 cup holder console check at a wrecking yard you may find one there
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 07:45 PM
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gutted: I wonder what is different from the 03 to the 98 as far as seat arrangement and 4x4 shifter location. The tires are Interco TrXus M/T. The dealer had a set of goodyear wranglers, but I've had them on my Jeep Wrangler and quickly bought some nice Muddy Coopers for it. I went into the dealer where I got the truck and asked them to upgrade the Goodyears for something more aggresive and they offered me these for 100 bucks plus the other tires returned, so I took it. Here's the Interco site: http://www.intercotire.com/site.php

marks99dak: a 99 with 3 cup holders huh??? I'll definitely be hitting the salvage yard next weekend.

It's hard to believe something so trivial becomes second nature. Damn cup holders!!
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 10:26 PM
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ORIGINAL: BusyAsHell

gutted: I wonder what is different from the 03 to the 98 as far as seat arrangement and 4x4 shifter location.
Well, my truck is RWD, so I don't have the 4x4 shifter. I'm thinking it has to do with the trim level more than anything.

The tires are Interco TrXus M/T.
Cool, they look mean. I'm in the market for new tires as my OEM ones are at 50k miles.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 10:41 PM
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gutted

Well, my truck is RWD, so I don't have the 4x4 shifter. I'm thinking it has to do with the trim level more than anything.
That would make a huge difference with the 4x4's. Mine only has 4 inches of clearance between the seat and the tray that wraps the shifter.

Cool, they look mean. I'm in the market for new tires as my OEM ones are at 50k miles.
I'll tell ya, if they didn't give me a huge deal on these tires, I would have gone with the cooper Discoverer's I put on my jeep. I'm on the second set of coopers on the jeep and they are probably the best tires for a 4x4 I've ever purchased. The first set wore prematurely, but cooper gave me a 50% discount on the second set because of the flaw.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 10:55 PM
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Default RE: A Noob Dakota and Member

I hope you can find the OEM console and install it, I love it.......it is extra deep inside you can store tons of stuff, makes a great arm rest and the center main cup holder even holds the giant sizes soda cup from the drive-thru, the only limt I could find was the 2 forward cup holders have a height limit because of the dash but just enough room to clear the top of the super size soda lids.
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 10:58 PM
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the third is for those big double gulps at 7-11 but hold on to it as you brake
 
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Old Jul 9, 2006 | 11:21 PM
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ORIGINAL: lil

I hope you can find the OEM console and install it, I love it.......it is extra deep inside you can store tons of stuff, makes a great arm rest and the center main cup holder even holds the giant sizes soda cup from the drive-thru, the only limt I could find was the 2 forward cup holders have a height limit because of the dash but just enough room to clear the top of the super size soda lids.
Does the OEM console fit between the front seats or come from the dash up the the bench style seat?
 
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Old Jul 10, 2006 | 12:35 AM
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Default RE: A Noob Dakota and Member

It fits between the front seats, the console starts with 2 cup holders just under the dash but does NOT connect to the dash and runs all the way back even with the back of the front seats.





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