[JohnPaul]

Hello everyone! Three weeks ago I picked up a 1996 Dodge Dakota SLT from a kid in my neighborhood for $600 bucks. He wanted to move out of his dads house and was desperate for cash LOL.

It was the kids first vehicle and his dad had the engine and tranny rebuilt for him four years ago and had receipts. Just had new brakes put in before I got it.

Needed a Rack and Pinion which I replaced right away, very easy!

Now in the last three weeks, I have replaced the rack, tie rods, water pump, all the hoses, like new rear bumper out of the junk yard for $25 bucks. Like new seat out of the junk yard for $25 bucks.

The truck runs extremely well. It's got 214k on the odometer but it stopped spinning LOL.

My wife thinks I am nuts, but I love this truck. Figured it was good to have a truck around the house.

Up next is to get the ac fixed when it starts to get really hot here in FL, and I am getting a paint job from a local shop for $400 bucks, just to make it look better as it has the clear coat peeling off all over.

Otherwise just plan on driving the heck out of it!

Been lurking here since I purchased this truck, and have found tons of helpful info. Thanks!

 

[Little Blue Guy]

welcome from another Gen II owner.

Bryan

 

[emjohn4]

Nice!! Looks good!

I see you got the somewhat rare, anti-gravity option as well. :haha:

 

[Bob Sweet]

welcome!

 

[JohnPaul]

Doh! Dunno why the pic is upside down. Its right side up when I view it on my desktop.

 

[durango2001]

ǝɯoɔlǝʍ

 

[JohnPaul]

or not, last try. here

 

[1995dak]

Nice find man! :mullet:

 

[Blue93Dakota]

Welcome.

 

[98R/T]

welcome!

how the hell do you guys find paint jobs for $400 down there in the states, up here you're lucky if you can get one for under $2500

 

[Showtime]

welcome!

how the hell do you guys find paint jobs for $400 down there in the states, up here you're lucky if you can get one for under $2500

My uncle did my paint for my truck when it was still my moms for 400 but he just charged for the paint not labor or anything else

 

[98R/T]

My uncle did my paint for my truck when it was still my moms for 400 but he just charged for the paint not labor or anything else

oh sure rub it in lol by the end of this semester i'll be able to paint mine in the garage, so hopefully it'll get done for around $500:woot:

 

[Shimrra]

welcome!

 

[JohnPaul]

Just take a vacation to FL and get yoru truck painted LOL

So just take a vacation to FL and get your truck painted at the same time. This guy at this website here painted my friends husbands truck.

http://www.nationwidepaintandbody.net/Services.html

Heck I was even thinking $400 might be too expensive LOL.... Might just drive her the way she is till she dies and not bother. But if I do get it done, as long as it comes out respectable I am happy.

There is a big difference between a show quality paint job, and a paint job for a 16 year old truck that I have no intention of restoring, but want the truck to look respectable.

All depends on what you need.

My father has had 3 paint jobs each for under $400 bucks around here locally and they have always come out very nice looking.

Perhaps its the terrible Florida economy ....

Speaking of which, if I do not paint the truck, whats the best way to get the the flakey clear coat thats chipping away off all over the truck? I would just like to get rid of the melting icing look. Should I use a real fine grit sand paper, or just buff the heck out of it?

 

[ol' grouch]

welcome!

how the hell do you guys find paint jobs for $400 down there in the states, up here you're lucky if you can get one for under $2500

The last time I painted one of my trucks, it didn't run anywhere that much. I wet sanded the whole truck with some Dawn dishwashing detergent than rinsed it off. I removed everything I could and taped off what I couldn't. Then I got a gallon of Rust-O-Leum flat black enamel and a roller and some brushes. Total cost, $40. I painted the truck every three or so years. It looked a lot better than when I got it. I drove that puppy until it had nearly 400,000 miles on it. I'm thinking of some red enamel for my '92 Dakota. It can't look any worse.

 

[bogieboy]

Welcome from another 96slt owner!!!

 

[emjohn4]

The last time I painted one of my trucks, it didn't run anywhere that much. I wet sanded the whole truck with some Dawn dishwashing detergent than rinsed it off. I removed everything I could and taped off what I couldn't. Then I got a gallon of Rust-O-Leum flat black enamel and a roller and some brushes. Total cost, $40. I painted the truck every three or so years. It looked a lot better than when I got it. I drove that puppy until it had nearly 400,000 miles on it. I'm thinking of some red enamel for my '92 Dakota. It can't look any worse.

I am entirely considering doing just this on my Dakota. Can't look any worse than the peeling clear coat, right?

How orange "peely" was your finish?

 

[Dads last truck]

Nice find.