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01:19:38 - 12/20/2024
General Dakota Board
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Hank
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2009
19:26:51
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 Subject: New to this board.....
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I happen to stumble across this message board. I'm hoping it could be just as informing and helpful as my GTO forum is.
I have a 1994 Dodge Dakota Sport reg. cab/short bed with the 3.9 and a 5spd. I have owned this truck for going on 15 yrs soon. I bought it in the summer of 1995 while I was in the military. I have driven the hell out of this thing for 12 yrs straight. MANY trips all around the east coast. About 3 years ago, I purchased a 2004 Pontiac GTO (I love my goat). This (of course) became my new long trip car. The truck got demoted to bad weather, local driving only. I loaned the truck to my brother-in-law a few summers ago and he ran it off the road and hit a phone pole (pancaked the drivers side in). So of course it leaks rather well now. However, mechanically, this truck WILL NOT die. I have replaced a radiator about 7 years ago, a fuel pump (which I later found did not need replaced), and did a clutch kit all around 7 years ago. The truck is pretty much stock and striped. (manual windows) I did put a system in it, but took it out a few years back. I also had a small sunroof installed soon after I bought it (which NEVER leaked over its entire 12+ years. The truck now sits with about 170K miles. However, the rust is finally catching up to it. I put my foot through the damaged front fender a few weeks ago. Over the rear wheel wells has started to flake off. The hood, roof, tailgate, bed floor and other certain areas are fine however. As I said though, the truck still runs great. About 4 years ago, I made a trip with it from WV to Chicago and back in 1 day with NO problems.
Here is my question and looking for comments or suggestion: Knowing that the truck is quite sound mechanically, would it be worth it to try to fix up? Chances are a new bed, and fender is in the near future as well as the cab is a bit 'twisted' from the wreck. The title is not a 'salvage' title and the truck runs straight and true. The insurance company was going to total it, but I said "nah". I just don't feel I have the heart to get rid of my truck. It has seen much better days, and has NEVER left me stranded (except for when I ran it out of gas due to a broke fuel gauge). The reg has expired, and the inspection has gone out on it, and I am quite sure it will not pass a PA inspection with the body damage. The frame overall does look rather decent from what I can see.
Is it worth it to put the money into fixing it up? Is there a lot of places I can get decently priced replacement parts (body)?
Sorry this ended up being a long post, but I have a VERY weird attachment to this truck. EVERY girl I have ever dated has been in this truck (and yes, had "fun" in it too).....
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lonnie
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2009
19:59:07
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Load all the girls in it and drop it off at my house
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well
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2009
21:36:19
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Hi Hank
welcome to dodgedakotas.com
I have the exact same truck!
bought mine in 1999 1 owner with 36,000.
I now have 160,000+ and through all those miles and years 1 failure (the fuel pump)
and I still make several round trips a year to cape code (nearly 900 miles)
the Truck never misses a beat
Picked up quite a few tips on the V6 board here
gained a bit more power and also improved my MPG's
Is the truck worth it?
In my opinion yes!
Same with the rot/rust on mine
front bumper is really bad
Look around on ebay find one in better shape
with a blown motor or tranny
(thats close enough to you)
92-96 all the body parts will fit
(maybe other years too, but I'm unsure)
Waiting to hear from my brother in law
But I might have a step side bed for mine
I'm going to pull the front bumper this summer and sand blast it, re-paint (instead of powder coat)ow and over look the dim witted kid we have on here he has no life so hangs here to try and make himself feel better
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Hank
Dodge Dakota
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4/16/2009
23:47:42
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I appreciate the advice. I have considered many different options. I considered donating it to a local FD to practice vehicle rescue was one of the options. But I honestly have to say, I don't think I could stand to sit and watch it get torn apart like that when it does run like a champ. I've never been concerned how good/bad the mpg is (look at what I drive most of the time now lol). My biggest concern has been taking care of the rot that is going on and the damage from the accident. I think what really needs to happen is the truck needs broken down a built back up. The only problem with that is the GTO has taken most of the space in the garage. Oh well, guess I just need a bigger garage.
I did find when I did have to change the fuel pump, it was A LOT easier to take the bed off rather than drop the tank. I've always done all of my own maintence on it, but like I said, it hasn't really needed much more than normal time-change items.
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