Dodge Dakota Build Thread

[vao]

Hey all-

Tucking this into the 'off topic' corner, as it isn't totally about eco (even though that's why I bought this truck, so I can update as I make progress.

I picked up this 1988 Dodge Dakota yesterday for $900.
It's rear wheel drive, 5 sp manual, and Chrysler 2.2l (E86) engine.

Here are some pics, first things first, before this gets on the road (and eventually modded/driven), she needs to get cleaned up, naked (Dodge paint =failsauce), and some new dark blue skin...




...don't worry fellas- the tailgate lettering will always be there.

Feel free to drop some opinions, ideas, whatever. I have an aerocap in mind, but have not commited to anything yet.

[Gealii]

i actually made a thread on building an ecomodder truck for this size of a vehicle, although the plan fell through when i fell in love with my grand am it was just in to good of condition to pass up for the price. I still plan on making this truck but not for a couple years were money is not an item anymore.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ild-21949.html

theres a link to the thread

[vao]

Hey thanks for the response Gealii- I skimmed through the list of mods, and I have to say, that is QUITE an exhaustive list.

This is going to be a work truck- mileage is important, no doubt, but things like an engine swap, extensive and expensive body modifications, are just not on my to do list. I'm looking more at aftermarket hi-power reverse lights, a spray in bed liner, and maybe some new shock/springs for adjusted weight in the rear! (And maybe somewhere to mount this cb radio I have sitting in the garage...)

Here are some more pictures of the vehicle that I took once I had another minute

This is the 2.2L engine in its home, although I noticed it has a little bit of a knock on start up, and some oil on the block (no immediate worries, but will have to check on it in the future). The wiring is all there, but it's almost 25 years old- could probably use an overhaul (Any free electricians out there?!)


This is close up of the block, you may or may not be able to see the oil accumulation


The first thing though, as I stated in previous posts, is the body- growing up (before I started working in healthcare) I spent alot of time working in my grandfather's body shop. Never really picked up the 'mastery', but I do know how to wet-sand and run a DA. So that's where we begin-
Rust is worst on roof and hood




And clear coat is just a nightmare to get off, even running 80grit.


I actually had a chance to work the hood yesterday, maybe tonight I will tackle the roof, and will post more pictures accordingly.

[Gealii]

yes vao the are some extreme mods on there as well as some easy to do cheap mods.
The reason I compiled that list was because after college I am planning on spending roughly $30k on building the truck for gas mileage and to keep for a very long time.

I figured by the time i spend 30k on rebuilding a truck for gas mileage, it would be just as reliable as a brand new vehicle for 30k but it'll get better mileage. On top of all that you can make the boat-tailed bed just the same as a normal truck bed but look slightly different with an angled bed cap to still be able to haul things such as an atv. Then continue building the rest of the boat-tail using the hitch as a base

[JRMichler]

I used to have a 1995 Dodge Dakota 4 cyl 5 spd 2 WD and one of those cheap square corner aluminum toppers. I averaged 25 MPG in summer driving "normal" with no ecomods.

With a few mods, you should be able to do much better than that.

[vao]

Update:

About 12 hours with a DA on 80grit has resulted me a dented and abused (poor girl) pickup. Here she is with her old clothes off, and some new dark gray primer.
She should be getting sprayed next wed.



She also got an oil change and can of honey. (there's a knock knock knoooock)

I'm also gonna need to adjust the parking brake, and the electrical system (there is some crazy beesnest/birdsnest/clusterf**k thing goin on in here)

[Gealii]

Looking better

[vao]

Anyone have any ideas for some bolt on performance? I know it will sacrifice a few mpg's, but this engine (E86 2.2L) is a bit of a dog.

..although...

the civic/integra fartcankids would never expect a 360 hemi in an old little dakota...

>=)

[Gealii]

Originally Posted by vao

Anyone have any ideas for some bolt on performance? I know it will sacrifice a few mpg's, but this engine (E86 2.2L) is a bit of a dog.

..although...

the civic/integra fartcankids would never expect a 360 hemi in an old little dakota...

>=)

Here are some more simpler mods for the engine, now it was said you wouldn't mind losing a little Fe for power some mods can increase power in the upper bands ecomodders do not usually drive in while improving the parts they do drive in at the same time by removing parasitic drag
mods for power
1) Underdrive pulley (parasitic)
2) Ac delete (parasitic)
3) cai (power some cases have been known for Fe increase)

[vao]

UPDATE

after about 15 hours of sanding, and waiting for a day off, I was able to get my pick up into my spray booth.

After about 6 hours of re-priming and sanding and re-sanding, the booth was ready


And I'm fairly satisfied with the results, for a $200 (materials only) paint job and considering I only do this stuff as a hobby.




And introducing Zero, my hound-


Now I just need the time to get to DMV and get Dorothy on the road