WheresYourColorado
Skidplate Scratcher
Long time ExPo stalker, long time offroad addict, first time build thread....on any forum. Be forewarned I am terrible at remembering to take pictures and am currently to lazy for photobucket. And for 2 o's in the word too apparently.
Anyway, shopping around for a 4x4 since I sold my built M1028 to pay for a moving truck a few years ago. Also need a new DD because commutes can get treacherous in the Rockies and we only have FWD's currently. Me and the lady had narrowed must haves/havenots down to : Not V8, have manual trans, not dial or button operated transfercase and have around 20mpg with decent reliability (sorry wrangler). In the US that narrowed our options considerable. Due to budget we were essentially looking at Liberty's, Troopers, Montero's and a few rare pickups. A shame that ZR2's are so rare with manual trans and transfercase.....
Anyway I saw an ad for this guy!
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab V6 5spd 4x4 (stick not dial
) 1 owner, only 102,000 mile (5.5k per year ) and not a single wear spot on the seats (just a few on the radio buttons), manual locks and windows too (hurray less to fail!) 3.92 rear w/ open diff and....
the black and red paint is perfect! GO AZTECS!
Mentioned it to the wife and said "I've never sat in one, we should sit in it and see if Dakota's are on our radar."
She said "You just want to look at trucks!"
"************* Duh!" I replied.
Went there, sat in it, we both test drove it, a little thought and research overnight and....
Bought it today!!!!
Now I know these don't have the best in aftermarket but
1) the wife likes it
2) way too clean/low mile to pass up for the price, and it met all the criteria that I (I mean We) wanted
3) we need a 4x4/awd for our commute
4) will still make a great expo/long camp rig
5) wife likes it
Now for the plans.....
I've done little baja bug to my M1028 on michelin 11/16s so Ive got some experience in building what my wife calls "Fun Trucks". This build wont end up changing the look as much as the baja nor be as jacked up and beefy as the CUCV. (I'll try and find pics to post of my former companions later)
Since this will mainly be a DD I'm planning on keeping things simple.
Tires: probably just around a 31" or 32" and prefering something narrow. For that I don't necessarily need a lift (a weak spot in Dakota aftermarket), I could go with fender flares or a 1" body lift. I'll be debating that. Until then I can grab the 31 10.50 15's on my uncles Bronco. This Dakota currently has brand new smaller tires, he's been wanting to put smaller ones on his Bronco. Win/Win in my book.
Suspension: As noted above. I dont plan to SAS and have no desire to kill my MPG or break my axles with big tires so I'm avoiding a lift...
Drivetrain: Planning to keep stock, motor purrs like a kitten as it is so I'm not going to mes with it. Trans may get a short-throw because their nice to have on tricky parts of trails. NP231 is good enough as is, the 4:1 kit would be way down the road if there's any change. Front diff will stay open but rear diff may get an LSD, airlocker or detoit. An airlocker would be real nice but they are real pricey too. A detroit would need some getting used to on snow and ice.... I do plan on extending all of the breathers.
Storage-Exterior: Leaning camper over tonneau or roof rack. Will have an open bed for awhile unless a deal comes up on CL. I'd like to get the full-size spare out from under the truck. There's rear bumpers out there and the good old Tiregate thing but for now the tire shall sit in the shadows. I'd like to get a roof rack up top. Not to carry a whole lot, just a shovel, axe, rope etc. I'll mount a few lights up there and it'll make a connection point for some limb risers (broken windshields are a huge pet peeve and trees seem to love me no matter what I'm driving).
Storage-Interior: The extended cab is nice, actually has storage compartments underneath the rear seats....they might be taken out and have some shelving and bins in their place. Front seats are 40/20/40 buckets. Thinking about taking the middle out and installing a floor console. The console can house my communication gear because the front dash has little room to accommodate in its stock state. I'd like to install a overhead shelf as well. I'm 5'8" and shes much shorter so it shouldn't interfere much when driving.
Armor: Another weakness of the Dakota aftermarket, rock sliders and metal skids are nonexistent. Will have to fab those. Rear bumpers are out there, front bumpers are the most common. My front just needs to have tow hooks (no factory ones in '97), light mounting options, and the other connection point to save my windshield...I had a winch on my CUCV and NEVER used it, was a waste of money. I hopefully wont be in a predicament with this truck to need a winch mount. A rear bumper isn't as high on list but I may get one later down the road.
Electronics: Currently I have a Midland 75-822 CB. Pretty cool radio as it can be plugged into your car or can run on rechargeable or non rechargeable battery attachments depending on your need. That will go with a 4' Firestick. I also have Garmin FRS radio (model eludes me) with GPS and route planning. That things pretty fun. That will pair with a Tom Tom and a LG tablet I just bought the misses for xmas to get us in,though and out. Two more 'lesser' FRS radios will be kept as well. I've researched HAM's but don't find one necessary at this time. Second battery and larger alternator on list.
Even though the Dakota (name currently pending) is mainly going to be a DD I'm planning on making it capable enough to do most popular Colorado trails and be reliable enough for longer excursions like the Utah Traverse and Mojave Road. My wife's never been on a trail with me despite all the opportunities but I recently had her flip through an issue of OJ and she's intrigued. She just likes to travel and I've gone far to long without a "Fun Truck"!
I think that covered most of it
Hopefully more posts soon
Happy wheeling and forum browsing!
Anyway, shopping around for a 4x4 since I sold my built M1028 to pay for a moving truck a few years ago. Also need a new DD because commutes can get treacherous in the Rockies and we only have FWD's currently. Me and the lady had narrowed must haves/havenots down to : Not V8, have manual trans, not dial or button operated transfercase and have around 20mpg with decent reliability (sorry wrangler). In the US that narrowed our options considerable. Due to budget we were essentially looking at Liberty's, Troopers, Montero's and a few rare pickups. A shame that ZR2's are so rare with manual trans and transfercase.....
Anyway I saw an ad for this guy!
1997 Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab V6 5spd 4x4 (stick not dial
) 1 owner, only 102,000 mile (5.5k per year ) and not a single wear spot on the seats (just a few on the radio buttons), manual locks and windows too (hurray less to fail!) 3.92 rear w/ open diff and.... the black and red paint is perfect! GO AZTECS!
Mentioned it to the wife and said "I've never sat in one, we should sit in it and see if Dakota's are on our radar."
She said "You just want to look at trucks!"
"************* Duh!" I replied.
Went there, sat in it, we both test drove it, a little thought and research overnight and....
Bought it today!!!!
Now I know these don't have the best in aftermarket but
1) the wife likes it
2) way too clean/low mile to pass up for the price, and it met all the criteria that I (I mean We) wanted
3) we need a 4x4/awd for our commute
4) will still make a great expo/long camp rig
5) wife likes it
Now for the plans.....
I've done little baja bug to my M1028 on michelin 11/16s so Ive got some experience in building what my wife calls "Fun Trucks". This build wont end up changing the look as much as the baja nor be as jacked up and beefy as the CUCV. (I'll try and find pics to post of my former companions later)
Since this will mainly be a DD I'm planning on keeping things simple.
Tires: probably just around a 31" or 32" and prefering something narrow. For that I don't necessarily need a lift (a weak spot in Dakota aftermarket), I could go with fender flares or a 1" body lift. I'll be debating that. Until then I can grab the 31 10.50 15's on my uncles Bronco. This Dakota currently has brand new smaller tires, he's been wanting to put smaller ones on his Bronco. Win/Win in my book.
Suspension: As noted above. I dont plan to SAS and have no desire to kill my MPG or break my axles with big tires so I'm avoiding a lift...
Drivetrain: Planning to keep stock, motor purrs like a kitten as it is so I'm not going to mes with it. Trans may get a short-throw because their nice to have on tricky parts of trails. NP231 is good enough as is, the 4:1 kit would be way down the road if there's any change. Front diff will stay open but rear diff may get an LSD, airlocker or detoit. An airlocker would be real nice but they are real pricey too. A detroit would need some getting used to on snow and ice.... I do plan on extending all of the breathers.
Storage-Exterior: Leaning camper over tonneau or roof rack. Will have an open bed for awhile unless a deal comes up on CL. I'd like to get the full-size spare out from under the truck. There's rear bumpers out there and the good old Tiregate thing but for now the tire shall sit in the shadows. I'd like to get a roof rack up top. Not to carry a whole lot, just a shovel, axe, rope etc. I'll mount a few lights up there and it'll make a connection point for some limb risers (broken windshields are a huge pet peeve and trees seem to love me no matter what I'm driving).
Storage-Interior: The extended cab is nice, actually has storage compartments underneath the rear seats....they might be taken out and have some shelving and bins in their place. Front seats are 40/20/40 buckets. Thinking about taking the middle out and installing a floor console. The console can house my communication gear because the front dash has little room to accommodate in its stock state. I'd like to install a overhead shelf as well. I'm 5'8" and shes much shorter so it shouldn't interfere much when driving.
Armor: Another weakness of the Dakota aftermarket, rock sliders and metal skids are nonexistent. Will have to fab those. Rear bumpers are out there, front bumpers are the most common. My front just needs to have tow hooks (no factory ones in '97), light mounting options, and the other connection point to save my windshield...I had a winch on my CUCV and NEVER used it, was a waste of money. I hopefully wont be in a predicament with this truck to need a winch mount. A rear bumper isn't as high on list but I may get one later down the road.
Electronics: Currently I have a Midland 75-822 CB. Pretty cool radio as it can be plugged into your car or can run on rechargeable or non rechargeable battery attachments depending on your need. That will go with a 4' Firestick. I also have Garmin FRS radio (model eludes me) with GPS and route planning. That things pretty fun. That will pair with a Tom Tom and a LG tablet I just bought the misses for xmas to get us in,though and out. Two more 'lesser' FRS radios will be kept as well. I've researched HAM's but don't find one necessary at this time. Second battery and larger alternator on list.
Even though the Dakota (name currently pending) is mainly going to be a DD I'm planning on making it capable enough to do most popular Colorado trails and be reliable enough for longer excursions like the Utah Traverse and Mojave Road. My wife's never been on a trail with me despite all the opportunities but I recently had her flip through an issue of OJ and she's intrigued. She just likes to travel and I've gone far to long without a "Fun Truck"!
I think that covered most of it
Hopefully more posts soon
Happy wheeling and forum browsing!
