1987 Dodge Dakota LE
"J.C.'s Truck"
This is a pretty short car story as, at the time of this writing, I had just acquired this truck. I purchased it from my neighbor Jay "JC" Brady. Some of you may remember Jay, or just Brady, as he drove for Jimmy's Auto Parts years ago.
This truck was acquired for Jay when he retired by Eddie and Jeff, two of his sons, from Jeff's Father-in-Law.
The dealer badge on the tailgate indicates that it was sold by "Landers of Lake Norman - Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge" - in Norman, OK at some time in its life. It has served time in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. where it was last state inspected in 2007.
More recently, it was just used "around the farm" and to check on cows and haul firewood to the house from over the hill. It would also make an occasional run to town.
It has been sitting now for a few years, so it is going to need a little work and some tender loving care getting it ready to be a driver again.
The next Chapter of this story is just starting ...
Specifications
First Year, First Generation Dakota (1987-1996) Manufactured in Warren, MI 3.9L 239 cubic-inch V6 125 hp (when new), 93 kW Hydraulic valve lifters 2-barrel Holley carburetor 3-speed Automatic Transmission Rear Wheel Drive Rack and pinion steering Full Sized 8' Long Bed 2500-pound payload 15" wheels LE Trim Package 152,264 miles 1 of 104,865 made during the 87' model year MSRP: $7,748.00 6 previous owners (including J.C.)
A Little Side Note
The Dakota was designed by Hal Sperlich who was involved in the development of the first generation Ford Mustang while he was at Ford. He joined Chrysler in 1977 and helped save them from their first bankruptcy with the design of the front-wheel-drive platform known as the "K-car". This platform spawned the Chrysler minivans.
Hal was known as a mastermind of "parts-bin engineering", or the art of using already existing parts instead of designing new. This was important for Chrysler as they were coming out of bankruptcy. This may make finding parts for this truck a little easier, as parts were used across multiple vehicles, and ultimately help keep this truck on the road.
Hal was known as a mastermind of "parts-bin engineering", or the art of using already existing parts instead of designing new. This was important for Chrysler as they were coming out of bankruptcy. This may make finding parts for this truck a little easier, as parts were used across multiple vehicles, and ultimately help keep this truck on the road.
Pictures below taken at time of Purchase (November 2024)
.jpg@webp "1987 Dodge Dakota LE")
