Finding an under $500 Dak around here means no useable drivetrain as is. Rust is pretty much a non-issue here so if it runs it's 1k or more to start.

http://sanangelo.craigslist.org/search/cto?query=dakota

They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.