Racer's New Ride (56k warning)

[Racer 1966]

My son and I spent all afternoon yesterday detailing my new(to me) truck and my wife's car. The truck is an '02 Dodge Dakota Quad Cad SLT. It's the AWD/4WD version with a 4.7L V-8. Oprions include - PS,PB,PW,PL,PM,CD,Bed-Liner,Alloy Wheels,Oversize Tires,Towing Package and more. Everything works,it's never been smoked in,steering/ride/drive is excellent. It was already clean and well maintained.
Here's some pics of the truck. I was pooped by the time I got to it,so the engine was not detailed yet. I think I got a heck of a deal on it for what I paid. Let me know what you think.

 

[hamz9561]

The only problem I can see that it is a Dodge. j/k Looks like a great daily driver.

 

[bergoff]

nice looking truck. you will really like the truck. i would ditch the plastic bedliner.

 

[Rolex]

Looks like new. Congrats and best of luck with it.

 

[h8z2luze]

Nice truck! I would also ditch the bedliner and get it magnacoated or rhino lined.

 

[Racer 1966]

Thanks guys - I already have future plans to ditch the liner and do a spay-on type. I also plan to add a tonneau cover,step bars and a cat-back flowmaster exhaust. Debating a K&N cold air filter kit too. Step bars will be first since my butt's built too low to the ground I just have to decide if I want to r/c or fix up the truck :whhooo:

 

[SMaxxin]

Nice truck, looks like it was well taken care of!

I'm jealous, I want a 4x4.

 

[Lessen]

Looks very nice Randy. Congrats!

 

[beason]

nice looking wheels there man! keep us updated on the transformation.

I would suggest craigslist first for parts. i scored a set of 3" ares step bars for $100 delivered on there!

do you want a hard or soft tonneau?

 

[Racer 1966]

nice looking wheels there man! keep us updated on the transformation.

I would suggest craigslist first for parts. i scored a set of 3" ares step bars for $100 delivered on there!

do you want a hard or soft tonneau?

Thanks buddy! I watch Craigslist all the time,seen several on there but none very close. I haven't asked if any of them would ship them to me.

For the tonneau,I like the the hard but they take up too much space when I need it to be off and out of the way. I've been looking at a tri-fold one on eBay. It's by Tonno-Pro and also just like it by Exstang. Anyone use one of these? I'd like to see one up close before I buy it.

 

[coreygnar]

tips on performance parts:
dont buy a k/n intake, u can make your own very easily with nearly any tubing and a cone filter from an auto store. you will save lots
300+ vs 60 tops(not even thats how much I've spent, but I've bought 2 filters and lots of different tubing of experimenting)
heres my old one, i no longer have this setup due to the standard pvc tubing melting

as for exhaust, a full exhaust might be over kill, headers and mufflers would sound good and that would cost lest than half of a full catback

just tryin to help you save some green

 

[beason]

i have a tri fold cover. it is made by advantage, and is called the torzatop. They have others, but i got this one slightly used for $100. I love it!!!! they go for about $250 or so new i think.

It goes on and comes off in less than 5 minutes, keeps the bed dry (its not waterproof, but it takes something like the pressure wand at the car wash to get under seals, its light, (i think the shipping weight was 22lbs, with the box) and looks good!!

plus no more leaves and crap blowing in the back window!!

I also set up my tailgate to lock when i lock the doors, so its semi secure. i know someone could get in if they wanted to, but it will be a lot harder. Really helps when you got a bed load, and need to stop at walmart, or to eat. It is very close to the extang, or backflip, but quite a bit cheeper.
http://advantagetruckaccessories.com/

 

[winsta]

hi, the noise from a k+n is awesome ,,, but the best upgrade is the performance panel filters that go straight in the existing box as they dont mess with the mass air flow sensor readings and confuse the ecu. In my experience they are better unless you plan on chipping ecu , they are also washable/reuseable and dont make them drink quite as much !!

sorry didn't say NICE RIDE !!

 

[coreygnar]

hi, the noise from a k+n is awesome ,,, but the best upgrade is the performance panel filters that go straight in the existing box as they dont mess with the mass air flow sensor readings and confuse the ecu. In my experience they are better unless you plan on chipping ecu , they are also washable/reuseable and dont make them drink quite as much !!

sorry didn't say NICE RIDE !!

you just drill a hole in your intake and your maf in it stock airboxes are lots more restrictive

 

[Lessen]

I don't care how you do it, but I'm sure that engine will sound great once your free 'er up a little. :thumbup::thumbup:

 

[Racer 1966]

as for exhaust, a full exhaust might be over kill, headers and mufflers would sound good and that would cost lest than half of a full catback

I know there's cheaper than K&N,I've seen one on eBay for $25. Just headers and mufflers - that's for you kids. I'll stick to the catback,this isn't a race truck.

i have a tri fold cover. it is made by advantage, and is called the torzatop. They have others, but i got this one slightly used for $100. I love it!!!! they go for about $250 or so new i think.

Nice,so it doesn't sag or anything? Sweet truck too,wish my tailgate locked.

 

[bergoff]

i have a 98 ram with a 5.9 360 it sounds awesome with my catback with no mufflers just cats. its loud but not to bad. and it was super cheap. mufflers you dont need no stinkin mufflers. lol

 

[beason]

Nice,so it doesn't sag or anything? Sweet truck too,wish my tailgate locked.

it has like 5 or 6 aluminum square bars that cross the bed to hold the fabric. It has a frame around the outside that clamps to the bed. no drilling, and nothing left on the truck when you take the cover off. also when you fold it up, the rails go with it so nothing in the way to use the bed. Not like those roll up type where you have to take the bars off as well. once folded it takes up about 1.5ft against the cab. 2 clamps to fold it up, 2 more to take it all the way off. I carried a huge side by side fridge back there, without taking it off. just folded it up and went. It even has some clips so you can clip it down and drive with it folded up.

 

[digger]

I like the convertible ones. Ya can raise them up like a hatch, unsnap part of it, or take all of it off. http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/lund_hingedcover.htm Haven't got one yet. Just got the regular tonnea cover with all those snaps!

Sometimes I like it. Man they are a bitch if they haven't been on for a while.

Nice ride bro. 'Ol lady's is the same color.
How many miles on it?

Part's and forum if ya need anything. http://www.dakota-durango.com/

 

[Racer 1966]

Thanks digger. I'm not sure you wanna know the mileage but I knew someone would have to ask. It's a well maintained 173K. But that helped make the price really good.

Sorry though,I don't care for that cover. I'm still leaning toward the tri-fold style. But you never know what'll show up on craigslist