Hello!
This is my first time posting, but I've been lurking for almost a year now, looking at all the pretty pictures, and pining for the day when I would actually have a vehicle that qualified as an expo rig.
Low and behold, my old 96 Pontiac blew out it's tranny, and I was in the market for a vehicle. After a bit of searching, I found what I think was a pretty good deal.
2004 Dodge Dakota 4WD
Club Cab V8
74,500 miles
Power windows/locks
All for...$8500.
It wasn't perfect. I can tell whoever had it before me only had it for the novelty of having a truck more than anything: The tires are too big, and rub slightly if you crank the wheel too much. It doesn't have a hitch (why!!!), tow hooks, and only had two cargo tiedowns. It had also been given a custom paintjob of so-so quality (Though the color is growing on me...Infantry Blue, after all).
I'll admit something right now: I don't know a lot about working on vehicles. In fact, I probably know how to do more work on my Stryker than I do a civilian truck. I can change the oil, check the fluids, jump a battery, and change a tire....but that's about it. A lot of the stuff I read on this site goes way over my head.
So building this vehicle up will be a learning process for me. I've got a lot of friends and guys in my unit who know how to do this kind of stuff (It seems like *everyone* on base has a lifted truck...), so I won't be going solo, at least at first.
Anyway, here's a list of mods I'm planning:
Short Term:
-A tow hitch
-Cargo tiedowns, as many as I can fit
-Tuff Box with emergency supplies (First Aid Kit, Jumper Cables, Blankets, Food, Tools, etc)
Mid Term:
-Canopy
-1" or 2" lift
-New Radio
-New Headlights
Long Term (After I get back from Afghanistan):
-New Paint Job (Maybe. We'll see)
-Brush Guards
This is my first time posting, but I've been lurking for almost a year now, looking at all the pretty pictures, and pining for the day when I would actually have a vehicle that qualified as an expo rig.
Low and behold, my old 96 Pontiac blew out it's tranny, and I was in the market for a vehicle. After a bit of searching, I found what I think was a pretty good deal.
2004 Dodge Dakota 4WD
Club Cab V8
74,500 miles
Power windows/locks
All for...$8500.
It wasn't perfect. I can tell whoever had it before me only had it for the novelty of having a truck more than anything: The tires are too big, and rub slightly if you crank the wheel too much. It doesn't have a hitch (why!!!), tow hooks, and only had two cargo tiedowns. It had also been given a custom paintjob of so-so quality (Though the color is growing on me...Infantry Blue, after all).
I'll admit something right now: I don't know a lot about working on vehicles. In fact, I probably know how to do more work on my Stryker than I do a civilian truck. I can change the oil, check the fluids, jump a battery, and change a tire....but that's about it. A lot of the stuff I read on this site goes way over my head.
So building this vehicle up will be a learning process for me. I've got a lot of friends and guys in my unit who know how to do this kind of stuff (It seems like *everyone* on base has a lifted truck...), so I won't be going solo, at least at first.
Anyway, here's a list of mods I'm planning:
Short Term:
-A tow hitch
-Cargo tiedowns, as many as I can fit
-Tuff Box with emergency supplies (First Aid Kit, Jumper Cables, Blankets, Food, Tools, etc)
Mid Term:
-Canopy
-1" or 2" lift
-New Radio
-New Headlights
Long Term (After I get back from Afghanistan):
-New Paint Job (Maybe. We'll see)
-Brush Guards
