Project - 96' Dakota Sport

[Jeff]

Well, sorta.

I decided it would be a good idea to buy another 4x4 but I went in a slightly different direction this time. We recently traded a 1 owner 1996 Dakota Sport. It was originally purchased in Juneau, Alaska. So part of its 150,000 miles was its trip from AK back to NOVA where it spend the majority of the years prior to my acquisition.

What don't they need in Alaska? Think about it......


TIMES UP! A/C. No A/C. But my friend Mr. Previous Owner had an aftermarket A/C installed on it in 2000. I'll give it one thing....it will freeze the balls off a baby Gorilla. The interior is like SHOWROOM it is fantastic. The only downside is that 90's Chrysler paintjob. Not exactly the best. About 70% has been repainted the original Moss Green but the other 30% has been hit with touch up spray bombs....so it's less then perfect. Other then that, cool options include the 3.92 gears, LSD, and the sport package with the decal, smaller mirrors, fog lamps, and deleted body side moldings. For some reason this one also has the "bright bumper package" which covers its otherwise sorta sporty look with chrome...go figure.

So anyway, time for pics right? I only have two at this point. But let me explain one bit. I forgot to take a picture when I first got it. It had a large high-rise Jeraco camper shell on the back. One of those big ones that comes up higher then the cab. I traded it quickly to my grandfather for his toolbox....must be an old man thing to love camper tops.

The most stock picture I have.


Stock wheels with 31in tires. Not my BFGs. These were to see how bad the 31's would sap the power. Luckily I have 3.92 gears so it wasn't that bad. The OEM wheels are only 6in wide. Not the best with a 10.5in tire. So I had to get some new wheels, I will post those pics soon.

[Ryan T]

Nice lookin truck man, should be a lot of fun! Holla at me when you finish makin it badass, I'll prolly buy it too

[Jake]

Projects are fun! Looks like this should be a good one. Always liked the looks of the Dakota (this one and the successor) - how are the automatic trannies for durability? I'd think with the mileage that would be a concern?

[Jeff]

It is the light duty trans that came with the V6. The same as the v8 version minus a few clutches. Auto transmissions don't bother me, if it blows up, another goes in. This is the Mopar way. It is a fairl robust transmission really, based off of the 3-speed that I have in my Challenger. So if I do a V8 conversion it will still be ok...for a while. It shifts strong, has clean fluid, does not leak. No worries.

[Jeff]

I finally got a few things done so I figured I would post.



I picked up the 2000 Dakota wheels for only $25. They are in great shape. The BFG tires are not as nice as the set I got for the Jeep but they are decent and only cost me $300. This is before I installed the rear lift. The front here is raised about 1.5in over stock.

I installed a set of 2in lift blocks on the rear of the truck.


Raise the truck and support the axle.




Remove old U bolts




Lower axle 2.5in and install blocks and new u-bolts


Tighten to 85ft/lbs (or in my case, bang the hell out of it with an impact)


Then I cut off the extra U-bolt with a cut-off wheel leaving about 1in below the plate. This is the result of the rear lift. In this pic the back is still 1.5in so it has a little rake. I have since raised the front end further to about 2-2.5in





The next little project I did was an improved intake system. The stock intake system was old-school to say the least.




I acquired an 'intake hat' form a 2000 Durango with a 5.2L v8 for this project. Simply bolt it to the throttle body and clamp on a pipe and a K&N. Simple! It sounds great.




I have one more project I have done that I didn't take any pictures. I will get that up here soon. Any ideas or comments would be great.

[HAULN-SS]

I kinda like the rake!

[V1GiLaNtE]

Looks good Jeff.. Look forward to more! :thumbup: