Topic: New To Me Work Truck

[initial_D]

Since I need to travel client's locations, some in the middle of nowhere, with dirt and gravel road, so I need something that can take 'rock splashes' and able to haul some work gears, like long ladders, etc. I did use wife's 1st CX-7, but she complained about the rock chips, and I stunk up the interior. My 325ix can get me to places, but can haul any gears. So after the wife got her new CX-7 ... went and get a small truck for work purpose.
 
1991 Dodge Dakota, 3.9L V6, 5 speed, 8 foot box, 2WD. As basic as it gets. Pay $1350 for it, 1 previous owner. Had to fix a couple small things, replaced tires. Since it is an occasional use vehicle, insurance + registration is about $340 a year.

[Winklovic]

Great find! 

[TopGun]

Wow...a stick!

That may have reduced the price even more than usual...nice buy given the purpose.

[1TSX]

Nice beater truck.

[Flinter]

Looks like a great find for your intended purpose. It always nice to have an old truck around for the dirty jobs.

Over the years my parents owned examples of both the first gen and second Dakota. We found both of them to be pretty durable. The only non-typical maintenance I remember was with the front suspension (ball joints etc.) The first, a 1987 2wd 3.9L managed to survive my abuse as a teen driver quite well, and I wasn't always the most gentile.

I always thought the Dakota was one of the better driving small trucks compared to others of that time (Ranger or S10/Sonoma). Plus the sizing of the truck made it useful without being a huge beast of a vehicle for around town.

[initial_D]

Bought it from a retired RV Mechanic, he did most of the maintenance work himself. Never thought here in Red Neck Country, finding a truck with a standard shift would take more than 3 months. Probaly won't drive it more than 3,000Km a year.

Looks like a great find for your intended purpose. It always nice to have an old truck around for the dirty jobs.

Over the years my parents owned examples of both the first gen and second Dakota. We found both of them to be pretty durable. The only non-typical maintenance I remember was with the front suspension (ball joints etc.) The first, a 1987 2wd 3.9L managed to survive my abuse as a teen driver quite well, and I wasn't always the most gentile.

I always thought the Dakota was one of the better driving small trucks compared to others of that time (Ranger or S10/Sonoma). Plus the sizing of the truck made it useful without being a huge beast of a vehicle for around town.

The Dakota drives well, ... for a truck.  Much prefer the E30 and RX-8, small RWD cars.

[Flinter]

Bought it from a retired RV Mechanic, he did most of the maintenance work himself. Never thought here in Red Neck Country, finding a truck with a standard shift would take more than 3 months. Probaly won't drive it more than 3,000Km a year.

The Dakota drives well, ... for a truck.  Much prefer the E30 and RX-8, small RWD cars.

Amen to that! There aren't many trucks out there that will get your heart racing... unless monster trucks are your thing.   However, it is really handy to have an old beater truck that you could care less about getting hit with a shower of gravel etc.

I think I'm going to keep my eyes open for one this summer. Something to use for work around the house as well as a winter beater.

[Ontariodriver]

Should be fun to drive than the normal slush box. Manuals can take any normal boring thing and make it bit more fun.   

[initial_D]

Should be fun to drive than the normal slush box. Manuals can take any normal boring thing and make it bit more fun.   

Well, yes.  But still a personal preference. 

Amen to that! There aren't many trucks out there that will get your heart racing... unless monster trucks are your thing.   However, it is really handy to have an old beater truck that you could care less about getting hit with a shower of gravel etc.

I think I'm going to keep my eyes open for one this summer. Something to use for work around the house as well as a winter beater.

I hauled lumber, concrete blocks, bricks, ... for building the back yard. Also, hauled a 60" rear projection TV for a friend, pick up over 600Lbs of free firewood on the roadside, ... cannot do that in a BMW.  Good to have something that no need to worry about any type of dents and scratches.

[dr_spock]

Nice find.

[safristi]

 ..Ya coulda had a RANGER.... ...Nice FIRE ENGINE Id....now Q ...? again wot's hard and red and throbs..............aww fughetaboittit.............does it HAUL ASS??

[Seafoam]

Should be fun to drive than the normal slush box. Manuals can take any normal boring thing and make it bit more fun.   

Well, yes.  But still a personal preference. 

Amen to that! There aren't many trucks out there that will get your heart racing... unless monster trucks are your thing.   However, it is really handy to have an old beater truck that you could care less about getting hit with a shower of gravel etc.

I think I'm going to keep my eyes open for one this summer. Something to use for work around the house as well as a winter beater.

I hauled lumber, concrete blocks, bricks, ... for building the back yard. Also, hauled a 60" rear projection TV for a friend, pick up over 600Lbs of free firewood on the roadside, ... cannot do that in a BMW.  Good to have something that no need to worry about any type of dents and scratches.

You are going to have all kinds of new friends now that you have a truck.

[initial_D]

Coulda Had a V8 ... I am not exactly light, ... on my feet ... Either buy something and use it for 2 years, then 'throw it' away, or buy something that can keep it value (somewhat) after 'abuse it' ... No Toyota/Nissan in sight ... No leap of Faith in Ford after dad's Taurii;  

[initial_D]

Should be fun to drive than the normal slush box. Manuals can take any normal boring thing and make it bit more fun.   

Well, yes.  But still a personal preference. 

Amen to that! There aren't many trucks out there that will get your heart racing... unless monster trucks are your thing.   However, it is really handy to have an old beater truck that you could care less about getting hit with a shower of gravel etc.

I think I'm going to keep my eyes open for one this summer. Something to use for work around the house as well as a winter beater.

I hauled lumber, concrete blocks, bricks, ... for building the back yard. Also, hauled a 60" rear projection TV for a friend, pick up over 600Lbs of free firewood on the roadside, ... cannot do that in a BMW.  Good to have something that no need to worry about any type of dents and scratches.

You are going to have all kinds of new friends now that you have a truck.

Actually, I was the only one in my Crescent without a truck park in front. All my friends here have at least a 1/2 Ton Pickup. Borrowing a truck is never an issue in Alberta.

[Julie]

Missed this thread earlier.

Neat find!  As a woman, I have to say, "I like the color."   

[initial_D]

^^ Precisely the reason I bought that truck.

[safristi]

  YER a WOMAN..............can i see"  some" id........................nekked...............OR not...did the "OP" come with the transfer! DOCS.

[initial_D]

... I ain't pretty, I just look that way! 

[HeliDriver]

I give you full bonus points for the manual transmission. 

I wonder - does anyone sell a new pickup with a manual? When I checked a few years ago, I was surprised to see that even the most basic Chevy Work Truck no longer was available with a stick.

[airbalancer]

For a work truck I need a sun roof &  heated seats