Buying a 93 dakota

[CDNTurboZ]

I am picking up a 1993ish dakota as a dd, and I was wondering if there were any maintenance items that should be addressed? (other than plugs, air filter, etc)

Its got the magnum v6.(has 245xxx on it)

thanks
steve

also can you get cab corners/rockers for these things?

[black86glhs]

Timing chain? Auto or manual?

[CDNTurboZ]

its an auto

[Captain Chaos]

Timing chain? Auto or manual?

Yes. Mine has 206,000 on it and the chain is beating the hell out of the cover. I'm undecided about driving it till it breaks or I get the 5.9 in it or fix it and not worry about destroying an otherwise strong engine.

[CDNTurboZ]

Yeah this one was owned by an old man, he hauled wood with it, etc. Still runs smooth and quiet. And its 245000 km's, so it has maybe 147xxx miles on it.

[black86glhs]

Yeah this one was owned by an old man, he hauled wood with it, etc. Still runs smooth and quiet. And its 245000 km's, so it has maybe 147xxx miles on it.As long as the trans fluid is clean, doesn't sound bad. That is less miles than I was thinking...lol.
I would change the steering fluid, rear axle fluid, brake fluid and flush the cooling system, uless they have been done recently.

[black86glhs]

Yes. Mine has 206,000 on it and the chain is beating the hell out of the cover. I'm undecided about driving it till it breaks or I get the 5.9 in it or fix it and not worry about destroying an otherwise strong engine.The chain is so easy to do. I think it would be a shame to damage a good running one. Just my thoughts.:thumb:

[Captain Chaos]

The chain is so easy to do. I think it would be a shame to damage a good running one. Just my thoughts.:thumb:

Yeah I agree. If nothing else I could find a good truck with a bad motor and do a swap and resell. That would fund the finishing touches on my V-8 727 swap.:thumb:

[CDNTurboZ]

Thanks!, does anyone know of any good dakota forums? (i'm looking for a source for rockers, maybe a lift kit, etc)

[CDNTurboZ]

I've been driving it for a week or so, the check engine light came on today, I didnt get a chance to look at it last night, can I check the codes using the on off on off on method?

thanks
steve

[shelbyconcepts]

Yep, Click the key and go...... Timing chain,distributor bushing, wiring issues are common problems.... There really good trucks though..... motors run forever..... Check out

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/index.php?

Tim

[BadAssPerformance]

Wow, can find ya one with way lower miles around here.

[CDNTurboZ]

Thanks!

I work at a GM dealer and this thing got traded in, I got it for next to nothing and got one of our older mechanics to give it an "inspection" and I plan to use this one as a winter daily driver.

[mcsvt]

Yep, Click the key and go...... Timing chain,distributor bushing, wiring issues are common problems.... There really good trucks though..... motors run forever..... Check out

http://www.dakota-durango.com/forum/index.php?

Tim

Yup I go there for my Durango.

[Vigo]

my dads got a 96 3.9/auto with currently close to 230k on it. still kicking.

Dont worry about the timing chain noise. Ours has been doing it for years and years and years. You can buy a tensioner to stop it for about $50, but unless you plan on doing that, dont bother replacing the timing set thinking that will fix it.. it will just come back.

I had to rebuild our tranny at 204k due to bad seals i did it myself so only spent ~$550. I know i've put 2 water pumps on it, 2 radiators, and i had to replace the heater core. other than that, it has been dead nuts reliable. no alternators, no major gasket leaks, no sensors that i can remember. nearly nothing has gone wrong with it in 12 years and 190k miles that we've had it.

They are great trucks. as far as im concerned, 93-96 dakotas are one of the best truck designs in the history of the world.

[ScottD]

My 90 Dakota Sport has 201k on it. I bought it with 191k on it. I had to put new shocks on when I got it. It also needed a water pump, so I did the timing chain at the same time. I see you live in Canada, check the metal brake lines for rust. I had one rust through and ended up putting all new brakes and lines on. I personally feel that the 87-96 Dakotas are just awesome trucks, I also owned an 89 Shelby Dakota for 8 years that was very reliable.

[CDNTurboZ]

Yeah that's why I picked it up it ran so well for the high km's, even started last week when it was -35 C. I'm thinking of fixing the rockers and giving it a new paint job this summer along with maybe a lift kit.