what to do?

[deadeye]

Ok, I need some advice from the seasoned vets on here.

I have wanted a pickup for quite a while. The Blazer just doesn't cut it a lot of the time for the stuff I want to do (plus its the absolute worst color ever for a guy to drive especially when you like hunting and fishin) Plus, I am sick of fixing it as I have replaced everything on it and some things twice or more.

I was going to finance a used truck this past spring, pay most of it off with my tax return and then pay the rest off before the end of the year. I decided against that and ended up paying off some other bills. (good thing I waited cause I had to quit my job in late spring and just got a new one)

My Dad has a old 91 Dakota sitting in the driveway that has been parked for a little over a year with a weak transmission. It also needs the motor to be refreshed as it has 300,000 miles (all original stuff too-not bad for a 318). He said I could have the truck if I wanted it. It was my Grandpas truck so its got sentimental value for both of us and will probably never leave either his or my possession.

What I am debating is whether or not I should just plop a junkyard motor and trans into it and let it buck or should I wait and rebuild everything properly. I figure by the time I am done with junkyard parts I should have about 700$ into it. If I were to rebuild stuff the way I want I am looking at closer to 3k maybe a little more (plus I wouldn't be doing that till spring because I just don't got the extra ching). But it would be done right and I would not have to worry about it failing in a few months.

With putting in junkyard parts I also have my own cores I can rebuild as I like at my leisure. I would like to get a better cam, deck&port the heads, new intake, pistons, better oiling, headers, ect. The transmission would be rebuilt by a friend who is a dodge transmission tech.

I am just worried about putting a junkyard transmission and engine in it in the meantime. I have never put anything that important from a yard in one of my cars. I'm wondering if anyone has successes or failures with that.

[Eric Wettschreck]

My .02.

Financially, you're getting a free truck. Do you plan on driving it every day or just using it once and a while when you need a truck??? If the latter is the case, I'd drive it until it dies. then put in a junk yard motor/trans. If it's going to be an every day vehicle you may want to rebuild properly.

I've gone the junkyard motor route more than once. I've never had many problems with them but I understand, going into it, that it is what it is. A junk yard motor. Not something I'd want as an all day every day vehicle but could last quite a long time with only periodic use.

[pulleye16]

I take it and putz on it...sounds like you already prefer that option. I think by doing it right, considering sentimental value for both you and your dad, you'll appreciate the final outcome. That being said, I'd take this rebuild as a hobby on my spare time. If I needed a truck right away and money is an issue, you could probably get a better spending 3k on something used in the classified's.

[deadeye]

It would be similar to my blazer which is maybe 1-3 times a week and on fishing/hunting trips. Anytime I am planning on going fishing after work I will be driving it too.

I have a AWD car so winter really doesn't affect my commuting, just makes it more fun. I guess if anything I always try to have a second vehicle in the driveway so when one breaks down I got another to drive. My blazer isn't going anywhere either for the moment. If anything when I get the dakota running I will give the blazer to my mom.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Knowing that.....the amount of driving and wanting a reliable second vehicle, I'd make a bit of a project out of it. This is just me and I'm not in your shoes, but it sounds like a good opportunity to do a decent rebuild and have a good reliable rig. Also, I totally spaced out the sentimental thing. It would be cool to have it running well for many years to come.

[zamboni]

91 Dakota- is the paint peelin' on it? Isn't that around the year that all the Dakotas had the bad primer?

Still can't believe the Gov't didn't make GM, Ford and Chrysler fix all those bad paint jobs.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Before I did anything I would drive it for a couple of months. Letting vehicles sit is really hard on them especially if left out in the elements. Brake lines, fuel lines, break components, cooling systems, oil seals, etc, could all be in your future. You may have more time wrapped up into fixing the little things than the things you are really concerned about.

As far as the used parts, I have no problem installing them. We install quite a few used transmissions and motor. Our suppliers generally give us some pretty good warranties on them and to date there have only been a few over many years that have had issues. I wouldn't have any issues with putting a used engine from a reputable recycler and relying on it on a daily basis.

[Macgyver55]

As far as the used parts, I have no problem installing them. We install quite a few used transmissions and motor. Our suppliers generally give us some pretty good warranties on them and to date there have only been a few over many years that have had issues. I wouldn't have any issues with putting a used engine from a reputable recycler and relying on it on a daily basis.

I'll second that! I haven't gotten a bad one myself. If it sounds/ runs good right away, there is no reason to believe it will be any more unreliable than buying a used vehicle that you know nothing about either. Besides, it sounds like you (deadeye) are a knowledgeable enough guy to see a problem before it gets too bad.

[deadeye]

Its actually in pretty decent shape as far as the body is concerned. It does have a bit of rust here and there but its not doing the paint peel thing. I remember my grandpa raising a stink and getting paint done for free at one time so that might be why its still nice.

I would love to drive it more than its getting driven but it really doesn't go more than around the block once a month since its the transmission acts up at higher speeds. Before it was parked I had done all the brakes and replaced some lines, did the water pump, hoses and radiator.

I was actually leaning towards going the recycled route since I could probably have it running in a weekend.

[motley man]

Get the dodge and drive it, if it needs the trans replaced, do it.

[deadeye]

After plenty of consideration and deliberating I decided to go the used part route. Sunday I am picking up a 318 and a transmission from a yard with 100 day warranty. I figure if there is going to be a problem with the motor its gonna happen within that time frame.

With the deal I am getting for picking up both the motor and trans I am able to throw a fel-pro conversion gasket set at the new motor and get a front seal for the transmission. I don't really want to deal with leaks after doing all that work.

So far I have been able to recycle a few parts from other projects too. I got a Yellow Top from a friends dead car so the battery is taken care of. Exhaust is going to be sort of hacked together from other projects but all the 3" pipe I got leftover from my Talon should help give it a little bit of a bark . I might have to buy a muffler but I think I would be happy with a glasspack and they are cheap. I am going to sandblast and paint up valve covers from the current motor. Already have a nice edlebrock intake on it. Tires are at a toss up right now, I get a really good price on new from the dealer I work at, but on C L almost new are still half that price. I am also going to rebuild the headliner as its pretty well shot.

My pops had taken the dash apart 8 years ago to find a resistor thats under the hood and I was able to get it back together last weekend with only one pocket screw. So my project is actually getting off to a decent start. With the motor and trans showing up this Sunday I am sure next week will be full of long nights after work. I will try to take some pics and post up with progress.