I have a 1995 dakota 4x4 5.2L, 200,000miles. I love the truck, but I wanted to know if it is worth still doing work to it, or if I should part with it, and get a diff. truck. I am saving up to get the truck repainted, and I wanted to get a new muffler (something broke loose and it rattles when the truck is running). It has Flow's right now;1 in, 2 out. I was also thinking about maybe getting new camshafts, and new headers. Just wanted to know if its worth still doing these upgrades on the truck? its still running pretty good, we got the tranny checked out a couple of months ago, and the only thing that was wrong with it was a seal went bad, so they replaced it. Apparently there was no need for a rebuild!
So what do you think??

 

wow.. 200,000 miles.. amazing to have that many miles.. thats awesome. My dad has a 1999 GMC Suburban with 161,000 miles and still running great (with a few fixes here and there, normal wear). I don't know. Depends how much longer you are gonna have it. If it were ME, I'd save the money, but something new, and use that money for the payments, or for the upgrades on the new truck. Keep the old truck and if you want to, slowly work on it when you have the money available to do so. If you decide to keep the truck, and NOT buy something new here's what I'd do if you haven't already. Take it to a repituble auto repair shop. Whether its a dodge dealer, or just a small auto repair shop. Even better, if you know a guy who owns one or works in one, let him take a look at the truck. Have them look over it EXTREMELY WELL. Check EVERYTHING. Even the tire pressure lol. Check the tranny, seals, engine, gaskets, battery, shocks etc., brakes, rack & pinion, tie rods, water pump, alternator, radiator, damn.. you name it. Then decide from there. Cuz if you come to find out that you have tons and tons of little problems, those things will add up. OR come to find out you have a really huge problem. OR if you find out that something isn't broken or worn out YET, but will be soon, and to repair that certain thing would cost an arm and a leg. Get what I'm saying? Another thing.. realize how much you are gonna depend upon the vehicle. One with 200,000 miles may not be very dependable on long trips. Or the hauling capabilities may be pretty low with an engine thats got a lot of use out of it.

Overall, I'd say buy a new one, but thats your finall decision. Just think.. 0 miles! start fresh!

thats my $1.25 worth (instead of .02)

Hooby