FINALLY found you guys!

Well, not to add insult to injury, but look at the brand you picked. I would NEVER buy a Dodge truck....period. And a Dakota at that! Many, many problems.

I'm not a Ford guy, but I'd buy that before a Chrysler product.....Just sayin'.

Glad you & the kid are OK.

 

Glad you found us! Its always good to see an old friend show up !!!

 

I wanted to get a Tacoma, but it was twice as much money for the same year. couldn't afford it. The s10/rangers didn't have enough payload. And i don't want a full size truck. The dakota fit the bill pretty good for size.

 

Welcome. Glad you made it over.

 

I got skunked really bad by Chevrolet on a brand new truck that was a lemon, and took a huge loss. I am now driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota with 46k miles on it. I have come to conclusion that there are lemons in all manufactures no matter what you buy. As far as Dodge goes I do not think there that terrible, but brother in laws truck is at almost 200k. It will always be a debate about which manufacture is the best, and it really comes down to personal preference and experience.

 

They ALL make bad ones(but dakotas are known for many brake problems).

 

I have a '99 Dakota with 179K on it. My issue is rust. The frame is good, the motor leaks oil and power steering fluid, I've rebuilt the tranny, replaced both front fenders and rear bumper, repaired the right side rear wheel well and rocker panel. Now I need the left side rear wheel well repaired, a new front bumper and right side rocker panel repaired. It costs me about $1200 a year to keep it on the road, but it's a lot less than a car payment.

 

Mr subsailor the 2000 and back dakotas were bad about the brake lines(steel parts) rusting out,however if you had one of the bad ones it would have happened by now.Being a tech most my life,some simple advise for your next unit,--drive through car wash.Just using the drive through that washes the underneath can increase the life of the unit by 3-4 times.ALso do not believe the claims the "new" chemical road mixes(for ice/snow)do not promote rust.The new blends have an antirust ingreident(sic) but what we have found out-the scum left on the outside will not rinse off,has to be brushed,so what is it doing underneath?What it amounts to is partially sealing an area,where if there is a spec of rust,just gave the rust/oxidation a prime enviroment to thrive.Just like,in the old days,spraying undercoating over rust,just makes the problem 3 times worse.The days of hoseing off your undercarrige are gone,thanks to big brother.We have the same problems,just costs more!Bob

 

Thanks for that info Bob. I did have my brake lines replaced. Forgot to mention that! I'm hoping to ne able to nurse this thing for 2 more years then but a new truck before I retire.. Time will tell if that happens.

 

I thought GM held the title for rusting brake lines!

Gary

 

Brand don't matter around here, they all dissolve from the road salt.

 

Well, GM certainly has a horse in that race. We've got an '02 Suburban and about two years ago all the steel brake lines were rotting out. Luckily the one that failed went while sitting at a stop light. Replaced every one of them front to rear with actual stainless lines... what should have been on there from the beginning IMO

 

Not even close.

 

I had a GM that blew the brake line. I drove 30 miles home using just the e brake. That is when I was young and perhaps not so bright...

 

I'm sure that all brands have brake line issues depending on where they're driven. Also take into consideration the amount of salt on the roads in winter, how often the owner gets the underside of the vehicle washed, etc, etc. I have a '02 Trailblazer w/ steel lines......it's almost 14 yrs old (bought in July of '01), have the original lines, and have had very little problems with any rust anywhere. BUT, I get the underside rinsed every few weeks.

 

lol