2000 Dodge Dakota

[FJ Montana]

I’m fairly new to overland experiences. I had a 2007 Ranger that I modified into a pre runner that I loved but due to an accident with some local wildlife while responding for my local fire department I was left without a ride. I ended up picking a 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with the 4.9 V8. Only had 82,000 miles on It and only one previous owner. Not a bad deal. Also came with an extra set of snow tires and a topper. At this point I’m still trying to figure out what kind of build I’d like to do. The back will have a small twin mattress and stand for EMS calls during the summer. (Wildfires are big out in Montana). However I will be taking a month off and exploring all around Nevada with my Girlfriend (she’s never been out of the city so this will be a new experience for her).

I picked up a set of almost new 31x10.5x15 KO2’s with rims for only $500 today. Couldn’t turn down that price when they only had roughly 3500 miles on them and were in phenomenal condition. Granted I will be picking up another spare BfG before I mount them.

Now I’m trying to decide what to do next. I live in Montana however I’ll be moving to Vegas within the next year so I’m focusing more on desert oriented changes.

I plan on getting a brush guard for it, and a secondary battery. Also an awning before August.

Has anyone had real good experiences with the shower system that attaches to the roof racks?

Rooftop tents? Preferences for desert related camping?

Thanks for the constructive feedback in advance!

 

[FJ Montana]

I ended up picking up a Yakima Skyrise Rooftop Tent and installing that. Works well for two people. Little tight overall. For navigation I put in an iPad running the Gaia GPS app. Is also nice because my girlfriend can watch movies on it if she gets bored.

I ended up getting two spare KO2s for wicked cheap. So now the plan is to get a rack for the top of the cab and put a cargo basket up.

Now that summer is coming around I am also trying to figure out a good pull out kitchen idea to implement. We just bought a new wok and plan on cooking predominantly with that.

 

[FJ Montana]

So far I used the rooftop tent twice since we’ve been doing a lot of backpacking instead of car camping. Last night two zippers broke and the hard foldout shell has a lot of damage just from the cars movement making the loose legs rub against the tent making holes. Luckily I bought it from REI and they are giving me a complete refund. Next time I’ll be spending the extra $$ and getting myself one that is reliable.

 

[Motohead1]

Nice to see another Dakota. Caint beat them for the price. You will definitely want to yank those running boards and fab up some sliders if you doing much of anything off forest roads. Take extra fuel as even with a 24gal tank that 4.7 can drink some fuel or I could talk you into doing a diesel swap. ;) Also being close to 100k miles check the pinion nut on that rear axle as that 9.25 is great until that sucker starts to back off.

 

[FJ Montana]

Yeah I get awful gas mileage. Usually carry 2-3 Jerry cans with me at any time. Granted the rooftop tent wasn’t helping matters.

Good to know about that pinion nut. I’m always apprehensive about the transmission since they are a well known to be one of the trucks weakest parts.

Interesting point abou the running boards. I really don’t like the edging around the wheel well. I’ve had some of the screws come out and suddenly it’s flapping in the wind while I’m driving 85mph.