1987 Dodge Dakota 4wd from North America - Comments

I own a 1987 dodge dakota long box 4x4 with a 3.9L v6 I bought the truck when it had 118,000 on it the 2nd gear band was broke in the trans, but still ran and moved at 122,000 I had trans over hauled it now has 170,000 on it had the carb rebuilt had to replace all the bearings in the possie rear end due to it sat for 5 years or so rusting the bearings to the point that they heated the lube and locked the plates replaced valve cover gaskets did a tune up on it runs like a champ I live in michigan and we get some snow and let me tell you this truck will pull a short box 4x4 chevy backwards in snowy conditions love it I think everyone should drive a 87 dakota.

I inherited a 87' Dakota (Prospector pkg) 4x4 about a year ago from my FIL. Since it was free I took it. I'm not a big Chrysler fan, plus he is one of those types who can make a piece of machinery fail by looking it, and it had 152K on the clock. Finally, it had been sitting for just over a year, and the smog was due along with new registration. Topped up the radiator, checked the oil, squirted some gas in the carb and with the booster cables hooked up, cranked her over.

She fired and then ran after just a few cranks. Getting ready for the smog inspection and doubting it's previous maintenance, I put on a new EGR valve, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, flushed and drained the oil, ditto the radiator. It passed the CA smog insp with flying colors.

What was an amazement to me was that everything except the AC worked, and I haven't looked into that. Radio, cassette player, fan, turn signals, W/S wipers, cruise control, plus all interior and exterior lights.

The only problem with it is the tilt wheel is loose. I also have yet to crawl under it except to change the oil, and it is leaking a bit of trans fluid. It starts instantaneously, and runs like a champ.