2000 Dakota

[HowAboutThis]

Always kind of wanted a cheap pickup to beat up. This morning during my exercising, I ran past an early 2000's 2WD Dodge Dakota. 100K miles, exterior looked great with no scratches, door dings, etc. Interior looked good. Has the V6. Extended cab. $2500.

Thoughts? What issues were these known for?

 

[FZ1]

Always kind of wanted a cheap pickup to beat up. This morning during my exercising, I ran past an early 2000's 2WD Dodge Dakota. 100K miles, exterior looked great with no scratches, door dings, etc. Interior looked good. Has the V6. Extended cab. $2500.

Thoughts? What issues were these known for?

It ain't the price you pay for the truck........It's the price you pay for the insurance.........every year............

 

[skyactiv]

Act quick on it. Around my neck of the woods that truck wouldn't last a day at that price.

 

[Timmastertech]

Frames rot apart at the section joints in a northern truck. Parts availability sucks on those trucks as well these days

 

[nwjones18]

If it has no rust you better get it before someone else does..

 

[joekingcorvette]

Sounds like a very reasonable price to me. I seen an old 1990 Ford pickup 2WD sell for $7,800 the other day and it was pretty beat up.

 

[The_Jeff]

The Magnum 3.9 V6 is a great motor, an issue to look for is the "ping of death" where oil gets consumed in the intake and it pings while it runs. The automatic trannies are as good as any other Dodge, roll the dice there. The sticks are very good New Venture units and are a pleasure to drive.

 

[wander2039]

How much highway driving do you do? I have the same exact truck. If it smells a hill it has to downshift, screams!, and cruise is all over the place. Around town its perfect though. Check the frame connectors right before rear arch, they rust out there. Its ok truck but compared to todays it’s ancient.

 

[dogememe]

Around here anything that runs and drives and is currently registered/passes smog is worth that price at minimum. Interior and exterior looking good at that price point is rare. If you could use a cheap simple truck for occasional usage I think it's a great deal. Obviously have to take it for a test drive and check it out but I don't think you'll find anything better for cheaper.

 

[HowAboutThis]

Frames rot apart at the section joints in a northern truck. Parts availability sucks on those trucks as well these days

No salt here if it was always local. We rarely get snow.

 

[meep]

Solid little trucks. If it’s rust free it could be useful to own and a fun little wrench. I’ve owned a 2wd truck and used it heavily, while occasionally wishing I’d held out for a 4x4. Rarely have I *needed* a 4x4 however. 2wd often feel a little sportier in steering feel, depending on how it’s set up. Note, once you’ve owned a truck, it’s hard to not own a truck; I tried and failed.

 

[zzyzzx]

Parts availability sucks on those trucks as well these days

I maintain one and haven't had any issues with parts. Same year, same engine, same cab and everything. 62K miles though.

 

[zzyzzx]

What issues were these known for?

 

[zzyzzx]

You can only self program a key FOB if you have at least one working key FOB.

I *THINK* you have to remove the dash to replace the blower motor.

Crankshaft Position sensors like to go on these. They are easy enough to replace (I removed the wheel well liner and upon reinstall I used normal plastic push pins so I could remove them again easily). But the diagnosis was difficult. My scanner didn't pick up any codes, it was only when I used the ignition key method I got a code. Truck was stalling out a lot until the sensor eventually failed completely. This is memorable because it's the only time I have had a crankshaft position sensor go bad, and literally the next day I was driving a different vehicle when the head gasket blew. So I needed two tows in one weekend!

The heater cores like to get clogged. Figure on periodical reverse flushes to keep the heat working. This is actually very easy to do on this vehicle.

Wiring for on the ABS sensor that is on the rear differential is often a issue.

There is plenty of room in the engine bay!!! Most things are easy enough to do on this vehicle (relatively speaking) and the parts are relatively inexpensive.

 

[skyactiv]

Solid little trucks. If it’s rust free it could be useful to own and a fun little wrench. I’ve owned a 2wd truck and used it heavily, while occasionally wishing I’d held out for a 4x4. Rarely have I *needed* a 4x4 however. 2wd often feel a little sportier in steering feel, depending on how it’s set up. Note, once you’ve owned a truck, it’s hard to not own a truck; I tried and failed.

I live in a township on 3 acres. I’m the only property around me without out a truck. Anytime I need a truck I rent one from Menards. A truck would come in handy for me but I’ve never cared to drive one. But if that Dakota was for sale near me I would probably buy it.

 

[wander2039]

I maintain one and haven't had any issues with parts. Same year, same engine, same cab and everything. 62K miles though.

No issues with parts either but I would say more part quality... try to find Mopar OEM parts is $$$ and difficult. Cheap junk parts all day though.

We've had ours for 8 years and rarely drive it in the winter till this one.. good thing since hardly any air coming out the vents not sure on the floor but defrost is ok. If it's not the actuator I might find a cliff.