The Jackson's Project Dak!

After doing a ton of research online, and reviewing, in my head, what we would need to do, plus knowing that my mechanic would find the parts local instead of shopping online for the best deal, I put together my order for replacement parts for the full exhaust, from exhaust manifold, back to the bumper. Walker Direct-Fit Y-Pipes 40235  $75 Walker Ultra Direct-Fit Catalytic Converters 55191  $267 Based on feedback online, I avoided the Bosch O2 sensors, and went with the Delphi ones instead. Not really a performance option out there, which is always my preference. Delphi Oxygen Sensors ES20044-11B1  $37 Upstream O2 sensor Delphi Oxygen Sensors ES20321-11B1  $46 Downstream O2 sensor And because we were doing all of this, I figured we'd get rid of what looks like a 25 year old exhaust system. I went with a kit I found on eBay: 87 - 99 Dodge Dakota 3.9 5.2 Mandrel Bent Dual Exhaust w/ FullBoar Muffler  $212 This kit is a mandrel bent 2.5 fill exhaust running Jones...

Okay, so I pulled down pics from the interior and the bedliner that the previous owner sent as we were working the deal. Nasty tub style, over the bedside, bed liner Interior isn't bad. Carpets are pretty faded, but the pile isn't worn out or heavily stained. The dash is crack free, and you can kind of see the floating head unit and damaged glove box handle. All in all, decent interior that just needs a bit of sprucing and refinish to be a nice little truck.

So here's the good, the bad and the ugly breakout. I will get pics tomorrow when we head to the mechanic's and talk with them about the truck. The Good Only 4 previous owners average of 3300 miles per year. Last 3 owners it was less than 1k miles per year New Tires Kumkho Solus TA11 Less than 100 miles Recently refreshed paint a few chips to repair a run or two serviceable and clean Interior isn't trashed Clean, unblemished glass, all around Suspension seems solid The Bad Broken catch on glove box Glovebox plastic where handle bolts in is broken Seats need a refresh Cloth is clean and serviceable Cushion or springs need to be replaced Carpet needs to be replaced Headlights are super cloudy Tail light bezels are cracked Rear bumper is rusty and bent Step bumper hitch hole stretched, cracked, and rusted A few missing odds and ends, mostly cosmetic Needs a full exhaust (AZ rust on stock steel pipes) The wheels appear to be pretty dinged up Looks like someone lost control of an...

 So, my daughter is now driving. She's fallen in love with driving pickup trucks. She's been driving a 2007 Chevy Silverado for the past few months, but mentioned that she would love to get a small truck. This set me on the hunt! This past weekend, we found the truck. A rust free, low miles 1998 Dakota. This gem was being sold by a young man down in Springfield, who wanted a mere $3500 for it. I dropped a deposit, loaded the wife up in the truck, and trailered it back home. So the details: 1998 Dodge Dakota 3.9L V6 Automatic 2WD Short Bed Base Model 82,794 miles 4 owners, most of whom were in Sun City AZ. The seller let me know, before picking it up, that we needed to trailer it home. There's a fuel/air control issue, so the truck doesn't run well. He had too many projects to complete and it's sat for 5 years. So now it's home.