My son kept a Mopar from getting scrapped
- Thread starter pittsburghracer
- Start date
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If they were taking it to the scrap yard, why did they charge their hired hand 800? Lucky to get 250 at the yard...…..
ahh. got it.
Where's the damage?
Those are good trucks, although the 3.9 is hit and miss on power.
I've had some almost as powerful as the 5.2, others only marginally better than the 2.5.
Be aware that the window winders on quad cabs are different than the others.
Instead of a scissor regulator they have cables.
The nylon guides on the end of the tracks like to shatter, making for a spectacular abrupt window lowering, complete with dramatic sound effects.
You'll likely think someone shot it out.
I've replaced the winders so many times on my mom's 03 that I have wood braces already made up for next time and have drilled holes in the door shell for better access to the screws.
You'll likely lose some skin on the insides of your forearms the first few times.
Also be aware they like to eat tensioner pulleys and sometimes water pumps.
I also cut the tang off the top hose water neck so I can get it out without taking off the whole AC bracket.....and the heater cores rust out because they are oddly positioned height wise to the rest of the system. Dash removal required to replace.
Other than those points, which I consider somewhat minor in the grand scheme, very dependable.
Mine has a home until one of us dies.
...and if it dies first chances are likely for a resurrection.
Those are good trucks, although the 3.9 is hit and miss on power.
I've had some almost as powerful as the 5.2, others only marginally better than the 2.5.
Be aware that the window winders on quad cabs are different than the others.
Instead of a scissor regulator they have cables.
The nylon guides on the end of the tracks like to shatter, making for a spectacular abrupt window lowering, complete with dramatic sound effects.
You'll likely think someone shot it out.
I've replaced the winders so many times on my mom's 03 that I have wood braces already made up for next time and have drilled holes in the door shell for better access to the screws.
You'll likely lose some skin on the insides of your forearms the first few times.
Also be aware they like to eat tensioner pulleys and sometimes water pumps.
I also cut the tang off the top hose water neck so I can get it out without taking off the whole AC bracket.....and the heater cores rust out because they are oddly positioned height wise to the rest of the system. Dash removal required to replace.
Other than those points, which I consider somewhat minor in the grand scheme, very dependable.
Mine has a home until one of us dies.
...and if it dies first chances are likely for a resurrection.
Last edited:
...and one more thing.
Do yourself a favor and buy the METAL upper hose filler neck from Jegs or Summit.
The plastic ones can crack (sometimes while you're removing the cap!).
The metal one also allows you to buy the upper hose in two pieces (without the center plastic), which is cheaper by far, than the assembly.
Do yourself a favor and buy the METAL upper hose filler neck from Jegs or Summit.
The plastic ones can crack (sometimes while you're removing the cap!).
The metal one also allows you to buy the upper hose in two pieces (without the center plastic), which is cheaper by far, than the assembly.
Where's the damage?
I didn't get to talk to him but he said the hood and A couple of other things. I will talk to him again after he has had it a few days. He has two cars so he wasn't sure if he would keep it and sell one of the other ones or turn it over for some cash.
I didn't get to talk to him but he said the hood and A couple of other things. I will talk to him again after he has had it a few days. He has two cars so he wasn't sure if he would keep it and sell one of the other ones or turn it over for some cash.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
I just rebuilt one of those, in 2wd version for my wife. Little sucker fought me tooth and nail from the first bolt I turned! It had been a very neglected truck, and it showed. It will be a good, and dependable little truck for her....and she'll have a truck to use besides my 2500 diesel! 
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Wow they where gonna scrap it because of that dent in the hood?? That thing is nicer as is than any truck iv ever owned Haha! I also just saved one from the scrapyard mine is a 01 ram 1500 the transmission is supposed to be bad I picked it up for 450 bucks with a title it is heavily rusted but has alot of good usable parts. If I can save the transmission I'm gonna drive it if not I'm gonna part it to fix my current 01 ram. The bed fenders hood bumper grille and 5.9 is all in good shape the cab and doors are rusted pretty bad and the frame is rusted up pretty bad too.
The nice thing is when he moved out there 3-4 years ago he knew nothing about this business. I told him to have an open mind and absorb all the info guys were willing to teach. He’s on his third move for the same company and is now second in charge. He has done everything except apply paint.
Hey man! I have an ‘03 quadcab Dakota 4X4/V6.
The heat of summer makes the engine lethargic but otherwise in cooler weather, it isn’t to bad at all. Yes, it is slow, but it is reliable!
I have Cooper AT3’s on all 4 corners. Love that tire in the snow. While Long Island doesn’t really see what you do, I did drive around in 2 feet plus very well. The V6 is listed as 1 mpg less than the 5.2.
I’ve only replaced the water pump & timing chain w/tensioner @ 175K. The only other problem is the emissions canister under the truck. The runner hose cracks and throws emissions codes. The remote starter also does this or some reason. But clears when I don’t use it after a while.
LOL!
Look for rust at the forward body to frame mounts at the drivers foot area.
Other than that, I’ve replaced the exhaust. Also the fan wiring sucks.
I now have 245K on it and my son will soon get the truck. He is at that age now.
The heat of summer makes the engine lethargic but otherwise in cooler weather, it isn’t to bad at all. Yes, it is slow, but it is reliable!
I have Cooper AT3’s on all 4 corners. Love that tire in the snow. While Long Island doesn’t really see what you do, I did drive around in 2 feet plus very well. The V6 is listed as 1 mpg less than the 5.2.
I’ve only replaced the water pump & timing chain w/tensioner @ 175K. The only other problem is the emissions canister under the truck. The runner hose cracks and throws emissions codes. The remote starter also does this or some reason. But clears when I don’t use it after a while.
LOL!Look for rust at the forward body to frame mounts at the drivers foot area.
Other than that, I’ve replaced the exhaust. Also the fan wiring sucks.
I now have 245K on it and my son will soon get the truck. He is at that age now.
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
I have cooper at3s on my truck I love them! They have been great tires! 3 years and still good tread left!Hey man! I have an ‘03 quadcab Dakota 4X4/V6.
The heat of summer makes the engine lethargic but otherwise in cooler weather, it isn’t to bad at all. Yes, it is slow, but it is reliable!
I have Cooper AT3’s on all 4 corners. Love that tire in the snow. While Long Island doesn’t really see what you do, I did drive around in 2 feet plus very well. The V6 is listed as 1 mpg less than the 5.2.
I’ve only replaced the water pump & timing chain w/tensioner @ 175K. The only other problem is the emissions canister under the truck. The runner hose cracks and throws emissions codes. The remote starter also does this or some reason. But clears when I don’t use it after a while.
Look for rust at the forward body to frame mounts at the drivers foot area.
Other than that, I’ve replaced the exhaust. Also the fan wiring sucks.
I now have 245K on it and my son will soon get the truck. He is at that age now.
Dfr360cuda
Diagnosis... Plum Crazy.
I drive a 2004 Dakota 4 door 4x4 , great truck so far the 4.7 works good but torque is just a dream is does alright if you drive the bag off of it . heater core needs replacement , yeah .
I've never replaced mine.
I did my mom's once about 2 years ago, and I did my '93 once.
I also have never had my trans rebuilt (or even serviced or the fluid changed).
Other than 5 water pumps, 3 tensioner pulleys, a radiator, an AC clutch (cheaper to get the compressor assy), 1 ball joint, 1 IAS solenoid, both front hub bearings and the bad heater core.....
at 170,000 miles and driven like a TRUCK to pull cars across the state (and a stump or two)
That's it for repairs.
Something I found out about waterpumps over the years. Never put a rebuilt one on.
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