storey618
Observer
Hey guys, names Tommy!
ive been a long time member on this forum but, generally i just use as a tool for inspiration. decided today that id finally post a build thread. this wont be some crazy build like most that are on here but, hopefully someone enjoys it.
this is my 2002 dodge dakota that i picked up for $3400 in august of 2018. its mostly base model, auto, 3.9l, 4wd. the truck came from howard city, maryland who originally owned it many years ago before it went to auction. when i bought the truck it had 127xxx miles on it, dry rotted tires, and a severely cracked windshield. however it had very little rust for a truck that had spent a few years in michigan.
first thing i did was drive down to indiana to pick up a set of 16" wheels with nearly brand new mastercraft courser axt's (265/70/16) which was a big upgrade from the tires and wheels the truck came with!
next i had to get ready to head to ludington state park in northern michigan for a week of camping with the girlfriends family. it was about a 3 hour drive from where i live. the girlfriend insisted we take our kayaks so i had to find a rack. i managed to find one no more that 16 hours before we had to leave. this is the truck loaded up in BFE
around that time i also got the windshield replaced by a friend, and then i started doing small things; maglight mount, and wired up some extra 12v plugs, paracord wrapped the grab handles, installed some lights on the bumper.
and then i went in deep mud for the last time in a long time. i was sunk up to bumpers, was not a good time. i still find chunks of mud on the truck.
added some old ammo cans i had, my shovel (held in with quick fists), and a toolbox my grandparents had from when i was a kid. thats in the process of getting replaced.
after this i just drove the truck around for a few months. i decided id replace the pads which ended up turning into a very expensive ordeal. 2002 brake calipers are single piston and the slides go right into the knuckle, well upon removal i found 3 helicoils for the slides, and the fourth slide was a self tapper. i made a decision to just replace the pads, run them flat, and save money for a 2003 brake upgrade (dual piston bracketed calipers, bigger rotors). well the next two days were smelly to say the least. the drivers side caliper wouldnt stop locking up so i broke down and did the upgrade then and there.
\
i dont have a picture of the completed install but it was a very worth while upgrade!
that brings us up to the past couple weeks
ipad mount that ive recently installed. its a padholdr bracket, and arm with an otterbox clip
here it is in the truck. i have a dual gps receiver in the mail so this thing will soon be more than just a music player.
ive been trying to focus on organization lately since the cab is so small.
found out velcro sticks very well to the carpet behind the seats. small tool kit, small first aid, and a lantern currently hung up
and then some command strips put on the dash for wire management. these ones will be for the charge cable going to the gps receiver
.
again, hopefully someone finds this interesting. i do have plans for bigger things in the future but, while its still cold here i'm enjoying doing smaller projects to the truck.
ive been a long time member on this forum but, generally i just use as a tool for inspiration. decided today that id finally post a build thread. this wont be some crazy build like most that are on here but, hopefully someone enjoys it.
this is my 2002 dodge dakota that i picked up for $3400 in august of 2018. its mostly base model, auto, 3.9l, 4wd. the truck came from howard city, maryland who originally owned it many years ago before it went to auction. when i bought the truck it had 127xxx miles on it, dry rotted tires, and a severely cracked windshield. however it had very little rust for a truck that had spent a few years in michigan.
first thing i did was drive down to indiana to pick up a set of 16" wheels with nearly brand new mastercraft courser axt's (265/70/16) which was a big upgrade from the tires and wheels the truck came with!
next i had to get ready to head to ludington state park in northern michigan for a week of camping with the girlfriends family. it was about a 3 hour drive from where i live. the girlfriend insisted we take our kayaks so i had to find a rack. i managed to find one no more that 16 hours before we had to leave. this is the truck loaded up in BFE
around that time i also got the windshield replaced by a friend, and then i started doing small things; maglight mount, and wired up some extra 12v plugs, paracord wrapped the grab handles, installed some lights on the bumper.
and then i went in deep mud for the last time in a long time. i was sunk up to bumpers, was not a good time. i still find chunks of mud on the truck.
added some old ammo cans i had, my shovel (held in with quick fists), and a toolbox my grandparents had from when i was a kid. thats in the process of getting replaced.
after this i just drove the truck around for a few months. i decided id replace the pads which ended up turning into a very expensive ordeal. 2002 brake calipers are single piston and the slides go right into the knuckle, well upon removal i found 3 helicoils for the slides, and the fourth slide was a self tapper. i made a decision to just replace the pads, run them flat, and save money for a 2003 brake upgrade (dual piston bracketed calipers, bigger rotors). well the next two days were smelly to say the least. the drivers side caliper wouldnt stop locking up so i broke down and did the upgrade then and there.
i dont have a picture of the completed install but it was a very worth while upgrade!
that brings us up to the past couple weeks
ipad mount that ive recently installed. its a padholdr bracket, and arm with an otterbox clip
here it is in the truck. i have a dual gps receiver in the mail so this thing will soon be more than just a music player.
ive been trying to focus on organization lately since the cab is so small.
found out velcro sticks very well to the carpet behind the seats. small tool kit, small first aid, and a lantern currently hung up
and then some command strips put on the dash for wire management. these ones will be for the charge cable going to the gps receiver
.
again, hopefully someone finds this interesting. i do have plans for bigger things in the future but, while its still cold here i'm enjoying doing smaller projects to the truck.
