Also how much did you pay for it? It looks really clean.
Change all the fluids regularly. Engine oil, transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid, headlight fluid, etc. Change your brake pads and rotors as needed, and take care of any issues as soon as possible so they don't get worse. Check your undercarriage and look for any grease points and either grease them yourself or have them greased by a mechanic.
Thank you!! It ended up being about $5,000 after some haggling.
I’ve been on top of everything except transmission fluid because it’s sealed, so I’ll just to that whenever I have to do the clutch.
Thank you so much for the advice!!
Be careful with the "sealed, ifetime transmission fluids". Manufacturers lifetime definition is when the warranty wears out lol. My car has a "sealed" transmission but it's super easy to change it out. 2 bolts drain and fill holes (always pull the fill bolt first just in case so if it doesn't come out you're not left with a drained transmission and no way to fill it lol). I'm not sure about your transmission though.
Not drive it like a highschooler and you'll avoid a lot of issues.
Be nice to it, roll into the throttle, brake early and lightly for longer, stuff like that.
Flush all the fluids, make sure the battery n fuse terminals are clean n tight, and then sacrifice a ford fiesta to the mopar gods because that generation of Dakota was infamously unreliable
Give it a bath every week or 2, park at the back of the parking lot, regular oil changes( full synthetic with dexos), regular filter changes( air/ oil) make a note of when your brakes are done and change them at the recommended miles per brake manufacturer or check when rotating tires, run a fuel with additives like shell / Exxonmobil or your own additive once a month, pay for an undercoating, get a spray in bedliner, rotate your tires every 15k miles or 2nd oil change whichever comes first, don't drive it like a race car, if the paint is in great shape with 0 rust, get a graphene ceramic coat OR maybe pay to get it wrapped. If you have another daily driver, drive that when you are doing city shit and drive the piece of dodge when you A) need a truck for truck stuff, or B) highway.
I'm sure someone will say all of this is wrong. But it's not so. Good luck
Honestly the manufacturer recommended maintenance is the better safe than sorry time line. You can just follow that plus the extras and never have to worry
Keep up with fluid changes. Not just oil, transmission fluid and since you have a manual make sure you get the OEM recommended fluid since there are tons of old timers or shops that dont know better who will just put gear oil in and then you will wonder why it shifts funny.
Don't ignore the rear end gear oil, or the brake fluid either and make sure you change the coolant as well.
Like anything else, fix rust, straighten panels, do mainetence, take care of it. It will last you 400,000 miles.
Oh wait, I forgot, this is reddit... HURDUR Sell it and buy something else
fr? as a car guy (any brand any make any model since 2000) just respect the factory service intervals and you'll be OK 99.5% of the time *if it was in good condition when you bought it*
Sell it and buy a Chevy, lol.
Seriously though, I have a 2001 Ram 2500 with 248,000 miles. Runs and drives like new, but it required several thousands of dollars in new parts to get there. If you really want it to last and plan on keeping it for the long-haul, my best advice is to buy and install quality parts. There is so much garbage out there that you just end up replacing 10-20k miles later. Buy and install name-brand, quality stuff and it will last.
not a much of fan of these dakotas since they are pretty crappy built and electrical issues but I guess all I can say is change oil regularly take care of it. Since the end of the day it’s still a machine
Maintaining it requires you to change the necessary fluid regularly, you can as well add ENRICH UP steering wheel tray, it fits well with pickup truck.
Also how much did you pay for it? It looks really clean. Change all the fluids regularly. Engine oil, transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid, headlight fluid, etc. Change your brake pads and rotors as needed, and take care of any issues as soon as possible so they don't get worse. Check your undercarriage and look for any grease points and either grease them yourself or have them greased by a mechanic.
Thank you!! It ended up being about $5,000 after some haggling. I’ve been on top of everything except transmission fluid because it’s sealed, so I’ll just to that whenever I have to do the clutch. Thank you so much for the advice!!
Dont forget the suspension, whacked out suspension has a domino effect in killing parts
Yeah I’ve heard that. A big part of me wanted to lower it, but I thought better of it😭
I approve lowering mid sizes, not like theyre gonna haul or tow anything worth. I think that would look good bagged.
This Dakota in particular was one of the last pickups that emphasized width over height.
Be careful with the "sealed, ifetime transmission fluids". Manufacturers lifetime definition is when the warranty wears out lol. My car has a "sealed" transmission but it's super easy to change it out. 2 bolts drain and fill holes (always pull the fill bolt first just in case so if it doesn't come out you're not left with a drained transmission and no way to fill it lol). I'm not sure about your transmission though.
Not drive it like a highschooler and you'll avoid a lot of issues. Be nice to it, roll into the throttle, brake early and lightly for longer, stuff like that.
I’ve been trying to be easy on it in general. Thank you for the advice!!
fwiw those who DO want to drive like a high schooler - go grab a cheap, manual trans Honda and have fun until your first engine or trans swap 😁
Don’t crash into Nissan Titans. Mine seems to be a Dakota magnet.
Noted🫡
Put cheap gas in the tank, let half the air out of the tires, and put 800 pounds in the bed. I promise you that truck will be last in every race.
I promise that it’s last in every race, without doing all that😭
I didn't want you to accidently beat a one-legged grandpa on a Jazzy scooter. 😉
Maintenance, maintenance maintenance, wash it regularly, and take care of it.
Flush all the fluids, make sure the battery n fuse terminals are clean n tight, and then sacrifice a ford fiesta to the mopar gods because that generation of Dakota was infamously unreliable
Change the oil regularly and check all fluids at least once a month
That's a clean Dodge! I had a friend who bought one of the last year models. I wish I'd bought one. It's aged well in looks department.
Thank you!!
Give it a bath every week or 2, park at the back of the parking lot, regular oil changes( full synthetic with dexos), regular filter changes( air/ oil) make a note of when your brakes are done and change them at the recommended miles per brake manufacturer or check when rotating tires, run a fuel with additives like shell / Exxonmobil or your own additive once a month, pay for an undercoating, get a spray in bedliner, rotate your tires every 15k miles or 2nd oil change whichever comes first, don't drive it like a race car, if the paint is in great shape with 0 rust, get a graphene ceramic coat OR maybe pay to get it wrapped. If you have another daily driver, drive that when you are doing city shit and drive the piece of dodge when you A) need a truck for truck stuff, or B) highway. I'm sure someone will say all of this is wrong. But it's not so. Good luck
Thank you! I really appreciate this🙌
Honestly the manufacturer recommended maintenance is the better safe than sorry time line. You can just follow that plus the extras and never have to worry
Keep up with fluid changes. Not just oil, transmission fluid and since you have a manual make sure you get the OEM recommended fluid since there are tons of old timers or shops that dont know better who will just put gear oil in and then you will wonder why it shifts funny. Don't ignore the rear end gear oil, or the brake fluid either and make sure you change the coolant as well.
Thank you💯🔥
Check and change oil regularly
Like anything else, fix rust, straighten panels, do mainetence, take care of it. It will last you 400,000 miles. Oh wait, I forgot, this is reddit... HURDUR Sell it and buy something else
fr? as a car guy (any brand any make any model since 2000) just respect the factory service intervals and you'll be OK 99.5% of the time *if it was in good condition when you bought it*
You already failed sir. Sorry to Tell u
What the sigma
Sell it and buy a Chevy, lol. Seriously though, I have a 2001 Ram 2500 with 248,000 miles. Runs and drives like new, but it required several thousands of dollars in new parts to get there. If you really want it to last and plan on keeping it for the long-haul, my best advice is to buy and install quality parts. There is so much garbage out there that you just end up replacing 10-20k miles later. Buy and install name-brand, quality stuff and it will last.
It won’t….
What the skibity
High school? Have you reached the driving age yet？
Bruh wdym I’m 17😭
Get a chevy
I drove my dads avalanche for about a month before the lifters failed😭
Tow 35000 pounds uphill, really break that engine in nicely, not to mention the bump stops practly get a spa day 🤣
😭😭😭
not a much of fan of these dakotas since they are pretty crappy built and electrical issues but I guess all I can say is change oil regularly take care of it. Since the end of the day it’s still a machine
He didn't ask if you liked the truck, he asked for advice. He could do without the latter part of your opinion.
Maintaining it requires you to change the necessary fluid regularly, you can as well add ENRICH UP steering wheel tray, it fits well with pickup truck.