Description
Here I have my 1993 Dodge Dakota 1st Gen, probably the only one of this spec in the country. It's a 5. 2L Magnum V8, 4 speed auto, selectable 4x4, High and Low range, LSD back axle, 6 seat club cab, 2 doors, 6ft2" bed.
I've owned it about a year and a half months, only doing about 4k miles in it in that time. It's honestly the perfect sized truck for the UK, bigger and more practical than UK trucks with some serious V8 grunt, but not so big to make it unusable on our roads.
The truck runs and drives perfectly. It starts first touch of the key hot or cold, no funny noises, clunks or bangs, no overheating and has good oil pressure. The 4 speed auto changes up and down as it should and the oil is a nice bright red, the box was fully rebuilt a few years back and only about 400 miles ago I changed the transmission pan filter, fluid and gasket.
The body is also in great shape, no rust or dents, the truck was fully re-sprayed a few years back but only because of lacquer peel rather than rust or damage, it's a factory black truck. The purple decals really set it off but if not to your liking they could be removed. The pickup bed is like new, it's got a spray type lining on it, it also has a bed cover that I currently have taken off. This truck has never been worked, it's always been a toy.
The cab has had a new head lining. The seats, door cards and dash are all in good shape with all gauges working properly, there's electric windows, mirrors, central locking, cruise control, the AC is all there but doesn't blow cold, I just put the windows down and the heater blows nice and toasty in the winter. Currently the cruise control isn't working, I've had a look in the On/ Off switch and it's just missing a small spring triggering it. There's also a new DAB radio with Bluetooth, CD player and aux port.
All the tyres have plenty of tread but are slightly sun worn due to their age, the only advisory on the MOT back in May, nice set of 15" chrome wheels and a full custom made twin stainless exhaust that sounds saucy as hell, it's also got a proper American towbar with twin electrics which I've never used. I also have the original rims with tyres for the truck, which I could throw in. It had a bug guard on the bonnet when I bought it, I took it off because I think they look better without, but I still have it.
There's a folder stuffed with history with the truck showing it's never wanted for anything dating back to before it was imported to the UK in 2003... it's ready to go for play or work.
I've done a few bits to it myself since buying it. In the last year I've given it a full underseal with 2 pack epoxy aluminium flake paint, I'm an industrial painter by trade and this is what we use to coat bridges and last 25 years. I repaired a small crack in the chassis, it's now solid as a rock and you'd never notice it. The rest of the underneath is nice and solid, before I recoated it it had some waxoil type stuff on it. As said before I've changed the tranny fluid, filter and gasket as it was leaking a bit, but it's all good now. Also I've changed the brake calipers, pads and fluid, air filter, oil and filter, wiper blades. All the electrics work spot on. As of just the other day the wiper motor has decided to pack up so they're not working right now, however I have a new one on the way.
The truck comes with 3 keys and a box full of spare bits and bobs, spark plugs, oil/ fuel filters, gaskets, ignition barrel etc etc, it's surprisingly cheap and easy to order any other parts for this from the US via rockauto. com.
I keep the truck either in Tonbridge Kent or Danehill East Sussex, it can be viewed in whatever location is easiest for you. I'm asking £10, 000 for it but I could be interested in p/ xing for something classic, fun and interesting such as a Volvo Amazon, Triumphs etc.
If you have any questions just let me know. This truck is most likely the only one of this (top) spec in the UK, and it really stands out with the purple decals over the black paintwork. There are a fair few second generation Dakotas around but these first generation ones are rare as hens teeth. It drives beautifully and I've never had any trouble starting it, and with that full custom stainless exhaust it has that proper American grumble. It's the perfect size for driving in the UK as although it's bigger than any pickups we have over here, it's not too big so as to make it difficult to manoeuvre and park. The amber grill lights really help it stand out at night, and I think it's impossible to deny it's a beautiful truck! It really smashes that retro look with the blocky body shape and big chrome bumper. The 4wd system makes it very functional too, it's surprising how many trucks of this age are only 2wd.
