First truck, first Mopar. Found a 2003 Dakota Sport Ext. Cab with the 4.7, 5-speed manual and 4x4. Has 59,000 miles and was factory oil sprayed/rust-proofed. I had a Dodge dealership inspect it, and I checked it out myself. Even under the fender flares is rust free. Very surprised.

Anything I should look out for? I'm going to get it on the road next week and probably change all fluids.

I noticed the blower doesn't work on high, and the right tailgate hinge doesn't close, but other than that it looks mint. There's a few dings around the rear taillights, and the center caps are missing (not sure if these are even stock wheels).

Crappy pics from the ad:

 

looks good!

 

Thanks. Found some perforated metal under the bedliner and under the fender flares in the back, but the frame and suspension are all good thanks to the yearly oil undercoat treatment.

I'll probably switch to fluid film (I think the old owner just used hot motor oil) which claims to stop rust on contact. That plus POR15 should stop it. I really don't want to get too involved in rust repair.

 

Great trucks... Lousy rear ends.. If you have a POSI diff.. You need to research "POSI clutch C-clip failure".. When they break, it can cause a lot of damage.. And it's not a matter "if they break", it's a matter of when they break..

PS.. make sure you don't have one of the one's with the bad pinion nuts... When they come off. your axles will lock up... And hope to god, your not going down the high way at 70 plus, when it happens... .

 

This one has the open diff. Not thrilled about it, but a set of BFG winter slaloms made a huge difference in traction.

How can I tell if the pinion nut is bad? Were certain build dates affected?

 

You may not think so now, but you've been truly blessed that you don't have the POSI diff.. Re-built/ re-paired mine three times in five years.. This fourth time, is going to be scraped.. I have a 2rwd open axle assembly on it's way to me now... .Now for the "pinion nut"... (you need to double check this info because my 4.7l 4x4 is a 02 and 03-09 models where the ones effected.. I think???) For sure, 06-09 where RE-CALLED... Here's the problem... the nuts were defective???.. They work themselves loose. The pinion slides back into the carrier and jams the ring gear.. resulting in instant axle lock-up.. HOW TO CHECK/REPAIR... Pull the drive shaft off the yoke..(you can't tell unless you do).. check for any back and forth play in the pinion.. The recommended repair.. replace nut with the "new nut" that's if you can get one.. otherwise pull nut.. use lots of Lock-tite.. re-torque to specks.. I'm thinking.. I'm going to install a castle nut, drill a hole for a cotter pin on my replacement rear end once it gets here.. I know I'll be sleeping a whole lot better, knowing it won't come off unless I want it to..

 

Good info, thanks.

 

Looks like the 3rd gen models were affected rather than the 2nd, hence the recall. This thing is 15 years old, I feel like it would have failed by now. Actually it's probably rusted in place at this point in time.