So, I have a Toyota Tacoma that I bought as a project truck, so I'd have something that I could put on the road for a beater all winter while working on Cara.
After fixing the cab, getting it straightened out again from being rolled, I've priced out a windshield and driver's side window. Since you just can't find these trucks in junkyards, it's retail parts... to the tune of $500 for both pieces installed, from everyone I've contacted.
Well, this is a little much for my blood... but the truck runs great... so it's a hard decision (not really, it's not.). While junkyard hunting, which I do often at small local yards, I noted a few 1996 and older Dakotas in the yard that were in decent condition... after asking the owner about a complete one, he informed me that it needed a transmission, and was otherwise complete, and that he may consider an even trade for my Tacoma... this is good news for me. I'd rather have the extended cab Dakota anyway, so I can still have my infant Son in the back seat, instead of having to put him in the front seat in a rear-facing child safety seat.
So, here's to hoping I can make a deal on a 1994 Dakota Ext V6 Magnum w/ Auto. (It's 4x4, too, not that I like that, but he doesn't have a similar one that's 2x4, which I'd prefer. Beggars can't be choosy, I guess.)
If I can make this deal, the Dakota will become the candidate for a diesel swap, using an engine and 4 speed transmission that I'm supposed to be getting tomorrow from a 240D Mercedes.
So that's to hoping that TWO deals work out correctly... all of which will enable me to work on the third project, Cara and the 5 speed swap.
Cascade effect, anyone?
After fixing the cab, getting it straightened out again from being rolled, I've priced out a windshield and driver's side window. Since you just can't find these trucks in junkyards, it's retail parts... to the tune of $500 for both pieces installed, from everyone I've contacted.
Well, this is a little much for my blood... but the truck runs great... so it's a hard decision (not really, it's not.). While junkyard hunting, which I do often at small local yards, I noted a few 1996 and older Dakotas in the yard that were in decent condition... after asking the owner about a complete one, he informed me that it needed a transmission, and was otherwise complete, and that he may consider an even trade for my Tacoma... this is good news for me. I'd rather have the extended cab Dakota anyway, so I can still have my infant Son in the back seat, instead of having to put him in the front seat in a rear-facing child safety seat.
So, here's to hoping I can make a deal on a 1994 Dakota Ext V6 Magnum w/ Auto. (It's 4x4, too, not that I like that, but he doesn't have a similar one that's 2x4, which I'd prefer. Beggars can't be choosy, I guess.)
If I can make this deal, the Dakota will become the candidate for a diesel swap, using an engine and 4 speed transmission that I'm supposed to be getting tomorrow from a 240D Mercedes.
So that's to hoping that TWO deals work out correctly... all of which will enable me to work on the third project, Cara and the 5 speed swap.
Cascade effect, anyone?