My 1992 New (to me) Dakota

Hey all, just wanted to post up my new "best find ever".It is a 1992 Dakota LE Club Cab 4x4 with the 5.2 Magnum V8.It originally came from Washington state and has no northeastern rust belt salt damage.186K and it runs perfectly.Brand new tranny 55K ago and it needs nothing except for the peeling paint and non working fuel gauge...it is near perfect!I have had a couple of gen3 Daks but never a gen2.I love this little tank, very comfortable and plenty of power.PO was anal about servicing the truck and it shows.My Ramcharger will be my summer convertible when it gets back on the road and this gem will be my daily driver.Not bad for $1500 IMHO

Looks like you got a (much) better deal than me! I like it!

These things are surprisingly comfortable, aren't they?

Yeah, that's a nice find, especially in your neck of the woods. I suspect you'll get a lot of good miles out of that truck.

Yes...It is amazingly comfortable to drive.I hope I get 10 years out of it or more!

Has the plenum gasket and timing chain (tensioner) been done yet?

They're stout little trucks. If you can keep the rot away, 10 yrs shouldn't be that difficult.

Last year of the square body Dakota I believe. I really like them. Drooled over a few myself.

1996 was the last of that body style.

1988 to 1990 was Gen 1 Dakota.
1991 to 1996 was Gen 2 Dakota
1997 to ???? was gen 3 Dakota. After about 1999 they kept getting bigger, uglier, heavier, and farther away from the original concept. Once the crew cab Dakotas arrived, I totally lost interest in them. Gene

I am going to fix the paint this spring after the weather warms up.Found all the right stuff at https://www.automotivetouchup.com/ May sandblast and coat the frame also.Must preserve this gem.Can you tell I love this truck!?

My first new vehicle was a 92 Dakota V6 5-speed Sport in Electric Blue. I loved that truck, but I started needing a tow vehicle so I ordered a new 96 Ram 2500 V10. I still miss the Dakota...

Nice.
Scored (stole it, actually) a '95 a little while back myself from the original owners son. Had to replace the timing chain and a window motor but no big deal. While doing that, I noticed all kinds of new parts on the truck. Very well-cared for truck.
And it is very comfortable.


Tim

I didn't think they got uglier, but totally agree the original concept was lost. Started getting bulkier and lost the appeal.

87-96 are basically all the same body except for the core support, hood, grille front bumper. The fenders are even the same.
The 97-02's are the second generation Dakota's

I bought a lemon buyback 92 club cab, LE, 5.2, auto 2WD in 93 with 9000 miles on it. That truck was rode hard and put up wet all it's life. I sold it with 450,000 miles on it. It was still running good but it was tired. Great truck.

The plenum is in process.Check this guy out...the Kegger wizard. http://utawesomeperformance.com/index.html Will be doing VRP mod if I can find a cheap '99 up intake. Engine sounds tight and runs perfect so timing chain will wait for when I pull the engine this summer

I'm quite jealous.
Never heard of vrp before
I have a 99 and 01 intake if you want one cheap

You know I do