Hi, new guy here. I'm looking to buy something with some more towing capacity then my Ranger, which is why I'm here.

I'm looking to pick up a used '97+ manual Dakota. I'm not to worried about having 4x4, would be nice though. Pretty much just using it as a daily driver and a hauler for my car.

Now, for the questions.

Are there any particular models I should stay away from (problematic)?

How's the manual trannies in these things, what kind of milage could I expect for each engine option?

Any years I should avoid?

Any particular "problem" areas I should look for when buying a used one?

Sorry about all the questions.

Thanks

 

overall, the dakota (2nd gen and up) are very well built machines. any motor package will let you see 250k+ miles with regular preventive maintanence. the only thing i would suggest is getting a v8 motor. the v6 is very underpowered for the weight of the truck and actually gets worse gas milage then the v8 sibling. either motor runs great and is very reliable. i personally think the dakota is one of the most comfortable trucks (interior) around.

thats just my $.02. i would suggest doing a search throughout this forum in the dakota section. it would be the easiest way to answer your questions.

 

If you're planning on lifting it, get a 98 or older as they've got the saginaw steering box instead of rack/pinion (4wd anyway) and there are more options.

If you're anywhere near WA, a buddy of mine is selling his 98 v8 5-speed extended cab 4x4. It's a nice truck, and if I had the coin I'd buy it.

 

Tell me about it! I have to replace my rack & pinion after it blew apart last weekend. I guess it's a good excuse to crack open a couple of cold ones.

 

I'm in Ohio, so it wouldn't be that bad of a drive...if I could afford the time that is

Besides, I have to sell off my danger Ranger first. Thanks for the headsup on the steering box though.

 

NP Stick a pos sytem in it and sell it on auto trader. I sold my pos ranger for 5.5 grand and only bought it for 4.8 onlt thing i did to it was add a system and put 30k miles on it. LOL

 

Lol...it's really not that bad of a truck. It just can't tow for **** lol. I need something to tow my racecar, and it looks like Mopar is the way to go. Here's a quick pick for the curious. I really should get some new pics...this probably isn't the best one to use when trying to sell a truck lol.

 

You might swap over to the old system if you're going to do a lot of wheeling, then you can get one of the other ~5" kits, and imho it'd be easier to swap a solid front under.



I made it from River Falls, WI to Seattle in 30 hours once, but that was the middle of summer not the middle of winter. He's been "trying" to sell it for a couple of months, it may not move all that fast because he's not too motivated. He's kind of attached to it, but just doesn't need two trucks - and his work bought him a brand new F150 crew cab 4x4, absolutely loaded. He doesn't pay a dime for it, not even insurance. Sweet deal for him, even if it is a ford.

 

I agree but NEVER buy a 4cyl
check! My parents bought this one before I had a chance to check on the motor
It can't tow itself (150 Horsepower of useless)

If you wanna tow go with the V8 definantly
I would listen to Horatio, he knows his shtick
________
LadyM

 

Thanks

Ohio, iirc, isn't as hilly as around here so the 6 would probably work fine, but honestly I'd get the 8 anyway. I've always been a fan of the looks of the Ranger, but the engine choices imho leave a lot to be desired. The 3.0 is just about as worthless as the 4-cyl, and the 4.0 isn't a whole lot better if you want to put the truck to work. My 5.0 was built as a donor car and I'm still not 100% decided what it's going to get swapped into, probably a miata but a 306 powered Ranger sounds like fun to me too.