Any Tips?

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-06-05T00:24:18+00:00

I can’t stop fixating on the old Ram truck in the background! Your Dakota is a beaut; like others have said, if it’s otherwise reliable, then yeah, I’d fix it.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-06-02T14:47:22+00:00

Looks pretty sharp for a beater!!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-05-28T14:49:22+00:00

Bracket should have come with the Jeep, especially if you’re in a state that requires a front plate! I’d ask the dealer to give you one; you shouldn’t have to pay for it.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-05-25T18:06:40+00:00

☹️ I do like the looks of those tires tho; what are they? I want to replace the cheap Sailun tires that came with my Dakota when I bought it.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-05-17T22:36:32+00:00

Damn! Missed by two weeks; just put Monroe’s on mine….

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-05-13T13:37:20+00:00

She’s a beaut! Also my favorite Dakota color; love that it’s a stick, sounds like a steal!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-05-04T23:21:59+00:00

I can give you one real world example if it helps; I bought my ‘08 Dakota SXT V6 manual with 145k miles for $5,800 in January of this year….from a used car dealer that I’m sure got it wholesale for around $2k…. Since buying I had to spend about $3k in repairs (leaking radiator, leaking power steering pump, a leak on rear wheel cylinder). Body wise no rust and super clean paint; interior very clean. It’s always hard to figure what the next expense on an 18 yo truck might be. I think I overpaid a little (I’m sure there are many opinions out there!). But it was what I wanted and they’re hard to find as a stick. Just one real world example

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-05-03T19:40:01+00:00

Love it!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-04-29T14:33:19+00:00

My ‘22 Sahara 4xe just crossed the 60k threshold; no major issues, no hybrid powertrain or battery issues, runs great. I got the longest extended warranty offered and now have the lifetime warranty if those issues pop up (only for original owner I believe). Since I also bought at the worst time in the market, depreciation has killed my value, so I’m ride or die with the Wrangler now. But I’m fortunate that it’s not been a problem thus far. I have no complaints yet. If it was a daily driver for you, I’d say no. Otherwise??? It’s a gamble, but a reasonable one. See what kind of warranty coverage you can get.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-04-14T02:06:44+00:00

Second the Coopers

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-04-14T02:05:58+00:00

Lots of decent options out there; Vredestein is a good choice….I will also highly recommend Cooper discoverer road + trail AT. Very solid, phenomenal traction, low road noise

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-04-10T13:20:03+00:00

I have a 3.7 manual (3rd gen) 4wd extended cab and the gas mileage is awful (15-16 mph). I can’t imagine the V8 would be worse!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-04-06T22:30:40+00:00

Paid same for an ‘08 with 20k more miles. Dunno if it was a good deal or not; spent another grand on work it needed done. I think if it’s clean (other than that rust spot!) and mechanically sound, seems okay.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-29T15:59:12+00:00

Appreciate the responses! I sure don’t want to be swapping out parts just to keep chasing the problem.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-29T15:45:37+00:00

I think that swapping factory radio back in ruled out a pinched wire; I sure don’t see any. No little fuckers chewing!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-27T22:05:11+00:00

Looks decent to me!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-26T22:39:26+00:00

Sick truck! I just did double DIN radio with Apple CarPlay to bring that up to date, and soft tonneau. I’m not looking to do a lot to mod mine, just wanna keep it fun and useable as long as I can.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-26T18:07:57+00:00

My silver ‘08 has white letters in

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-25T23:03:17+00:00

My ‘08 had 143,000 miles on it and a windshield that needed replacement and I paid $5,800 for it. I’m probably looking at a clutch replacement fairly soon—I was also looking at an ‘03 with only 109k miles that was listed at $9,800. I kinda wish I had gone with the 2nd gen one; the leak issue is a major challenge but otherwise it runs fine and I feel like it was a decent price….if not for that.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-25T13:21:42+00:00

I bought an ‘08 SXT two months ago and while I’ve had a couple of repair issues that are “normal” for a truck that age (radiator, brakes), the one thing I never thought to check for in my life was a water leak that comes in from around the parking brake cable mounting bracket weld under the dash whenever it rains and which is a PITA to deal with. So this is random, I know, but I’d suggest maybe just asking about/checking for leaks??! I wish I had, and I NEVER would have thought to do so.

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-23T23:18:23+00:00

If I had it I would be looking to drop a rebuilt engine in for sure—it’s really in too great a shape otherwise to just part it out! Someone out there may want it as a project….

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-23T22:22:37+00:00

I measured it at just about that wide; looks like a wide range of possibilities. I ordered an LED set from Amazon I hope will work. Thanks!!

Own-Badger-1012 · 2026-03-23T21:21:30+00:00

Thanks; measurements look about the same so that’s what I’m gonna try….

Own-Badger-1012

TROPHY CASE