I am buying my third dodge. It is a Dakota with 230k. I know that is alot of miles but i will be keeping it at work just to use there to do maintenance at a apartment complex. So what stuff do you guys thank needs to be looked at? I know the front end needs work as the owner hast changed anything in the front end.

 

I wouldn't spend any money on it unless something breaks and you can't use it for what you need or a safety issue repair.

 

That is a lot of miles, but glad to hear its not resting in a junk yard.

Whew, with those miles I would check everything. Belts and hoses, change all fluids and check color and smell often, watch for leaks and for burning oil, watch for smoke from tailpipe, flush radiator, change diff fluid.

I am inclined to agree with adam about everything but the front end parts, since when those break, they can cause big problems. A guy on here had a tierod just pop off and send his truck off the road. I would check them all and watch them closely, if you've read the forums you'll see these trucks have weak front ends that usually require some type of service every 50-70k Especially swaybar end links. They are like sticks of chaulk lol. When you replace, get Moog problem solver parts.

 

What year Dakota? Specs? 2 or 4wd? V6 or V8? Previous work done?