My Dodge Dakota, the "Comvee"

[ZJARCHER]

Everyone thanks for the complements! I never fit into any niche, most people hate my vehicle.
Fenders are glass-works and have 4.5" flare 3" rise bedsides are similar.

Currently have the axle mostly disassembled, and repainted, going to be yrs before it goes in lol!

Currently want to get the truck painted, have around ~$800-1300 to spend would like to do a two tone flat desert tan/flat black like this.

I think I know a guy who will do that paint job on the lower-middle end of that price range... Shoot me a PM if you don't have a painter lined up.

 

[Jean-Seb]

Looks awesome Nick ! Great work all around.

 

[psdfrank]

thats a very nice profile, i'm currently building up a 95 F250 PSD, this is a nice thread to keep up w/ for info, how did you find all the info about which front end compenents fit what? I'm currently installing a winch bumper and dropping to 2.5" lift from 8" lift (thats how it was when i bought the truck) going to trim or roll the fenders then go w/ bushwackers, did the place u buy your fenders from have ford ones?

btw, i'm looking at using a ladder rack to build a custom camper, have you considered doing anything like that?

 

[Nick02]

Still dragging my butt on the paint job.
SAS currently on hold and I am accumulating parts. I redid my firewall with some 11 gauge from IMS, it's super solid, and no more tire rubbing:wings: As far as I know, I am the first 2wd Dodge Dakota to run 35's on the stock spindles.

Working on an on board water setup; I don't know to go with an shurflo Classic (2.8 GPM 45psi) or a flojet (2.9 GPM 50 psi)....any pump recommendations?

As far as hot water goes, I would like to use an 13 or 10 plate heat exchanger(~60 bucks), and plumb it into the heater line.
Or would it be better to use an already "built" propane heater..(130 bucks)

The progress so far...
I bought an 16 gallon RV water tank and put it where my spare tire was; a bit concerned on ground clearance; we'll see how this holds up.

 

[Nick02]

It's finally getting painted!
Desert taco

 

[corbin8or]

nice build man! we should get together! I'm in North Phoenix and have an '03 dak... on 35"s with some trick custom stuff...

 

[Nick02]

I'll be at the azvjc clean up this weekend

she's getting there

almost done!:woot:

 

[Nick02]

paint is done!
let me know if you're going on some 2wd friendly trails Corbin and i'll be there (-:

already got bodydamage, the fiberglass popped right back, just some scratches

 

[06QuadRam]

Very cool man! Nice paint job, with the door jambs and everything. What did that cost you if you don't mind me asking (can PM me if you'd like to keep it private). Only reason I ask is I do paint work and just courious on what something like runs..

 

[brained]

As far as hot water goes, I would like to use an 13 or 10 plate heat exchanger(~60 bucks)

Where are you getting that good of a price at? I'm seeing $160

 

[The Adam Blaster]

Really nice build Nick!
I'm curious if you're on the DML?
I'm also curious if you have thought of cutting that "triangle" of body panel from the rear quarters? That's definitely a low point that is going to snag on rocks, as it seems you have already found out!
Along the same lines, I'd also be a bit concerned about that RV water tank dangling around down there...
Could you get one that was a bit lower profile and fit it up between the frame rails? Or a circular one that would fit better in the spare tire location?
And if you're looking at using the vehicle for overlanding/expeditions etc. you may want to consider running a 2nd fuel tank as well.
I looked into it a little when I bought my '02 Durango a couple of years ago, but I couldn't find anything "off the shelf" that would bolt up. Your fab skills seem to be of a significantly higher level than mine so that shouldn't stop you.

 

[Nick02]

ebay for the heat exchangers, here's one for $45 shipped!
http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Plate-Brazed...ultDomain_0&hash=item3c9e8cc17d#ht_4048wt_939
I'll be going a different route using 4"PVC and in-radiator transmission coolers we have for scrap around work.

Yeah, I dont like the tank location, i'am moving it into the bed, and i'am probably going to cut the triangle too, like corbins truck.

 

[BlueBomber]

The paint job looks awesome! Where did you end up putting the water tank?

 

[nfpgasmask]

Hey! That's my Trooper!! :victory:

Bart

 

[nfpgasmask]

Nice, you even got the scorpion going too!

Here's a recent pic. Your truck looks awesome. What kind of paint did you use? Did you do it yourself?

Bart