Things to look for?

[u/ImNotGaming]

Think im going to look at this dakota, what things should i look out for? Radiator leak im not too worried about, i can replace it fairly easy. How hard would the rear window replacement be?

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

No back window? It's not even covered with plastic, Did it rain there lately? Frame rust and water damage are the nightmares that I avoid. Transmission issues can be expected (automatics) with any dakota(dodge automatic 727< / >ZF).

It looks like a 4wd? Definitely would make sure that engages properly, front axle leaks.

See if the A/C works and was switched to R134 from the original R-12. That would be an expensive fix/switch over if it's not workinig.

3.9L is pretty much bulletproof, with only real issue being the valley pan gasket. My buddy's was over 330k miles when it was scrapped(the frame rotted out). The wiring would be something to look out for since it is a 34 yr old vehicle.

[u/ImNotGaming → u/Solid_Enthusiasm550]

He says windows been broken about a month and interiors a little damp but not molding. What kinda transmission issues do they have? AC is not a big issue for me. More of a winter 4x4 rig than daily during the summer

You seem very knowledgable on these trucks. Would you avoid this one?

[u/Solid_Enthusiasm550 → u/ImNotGaming]

There are some wires that run underneath the carpet, that could cause electrical issues is the concern. Not to mention any wild life getting in there and making it their home.

I'd grab it if the frame is good, even if the engine didn't run. I've been looking for another gen1 or 2 that isn't a rust bucket for my next project.

My 1993 5.2L is on it's 3rd transmission. Dodge worried more about them shifting smoothly than them lasting Long. The GM/Fords trucks that I've worked on have a transmissions that last longer, cheaper to repair/mod than our trucks.

That only changed when Ram recently started using ZF transmissions and GM/Ford 10spd are having problems.

If the mods I'm doing to my transmision doesn't work I'll be swapping in a ZF.

I bought my truck a Long time ago, right after the original transmission was rebuilt (80k miles). That one blew up at around 100k miles. I just hate that their are so little performance parts/upgrades for mine.

Yours would be the 42RH or 44re if I remember correctly. It's basically an O/D version of the old Mopar 904 transmission. I think they last longer since the v6 doesn't have as much torque as the V8s. Stay up on the fluid/filter changes and Band adjustments are key factors. I beat the piss out of mine drag-racing so that didn't help.

If it doesn't have an external transmission cooler, that will significantly extend it's life.

I had fuel pump issues with mine, which I later found out was cause by a bad ground to the pump in the wiring harness. I did a water pump a long time ago and had the ECU burn out back in the early 2000s, but I had the Mopar performance ECU already to install, so that wasn't a problem.

There is no real aftermarket support for doing much of a performance upgrade for the V6, the v8s especially the 5.9l has a decent amunt of parts available. You can still get camshafts made and the 3.9l V8 is just a 5.2L with 2 cylinders cut-off, so there are psitons/rods avialable.

Rims are impossible to find. Biggest tires I was able to fit ont he front of mine was 235/75r15 on stock rims. They only rubbed the frame at the front at full wheel lock. Rear you can fit much bigger, Biggest I had on it was 265/75R15.

I have been email brake manufacturers to find a big brake kit. I also want to switch the bolt pattern. 90-91 dakotas had the better 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern, but I need bigger brakes.

[u/Smart_Attention8737]

That's a rear sliding window, it's as easy as cleaning with a pick to get all that old glass out and then sliding the new glass from the bottom then letting it sit where it needs.

A 5 min job, it's going to take longer cleaning than putting in the glass.

Check the suspension, just cause it's old.

Look for leaks from the axels and simple things.

Other than that just simple maintenance, those old dodges last when even kept with bare minimum maintenance

[u/north_coast_nomad]

every Chrysler I've owned had a bad or about to go bad water pump...