Ding Dong the Jeep is Gone
Permalink | Tweet This! | | October 15, 2008 by John in Auto, Money, Shelby Dakota
Ron picked up the Jeep this evening after meeting with me at lunchtime to make the final payment and collect the title. Along with the Porsches, that’s three down, two more to go. Or maybe just one to go. The plan was to get rid of all but the Triumph, Mustang and Dakota. But I may keep the Golf or Landcrusher as a winter/backup vehicle. I’m already receiving inquiries on selling the latter. At this point I don’t really care which one I keep, but obviouusly the Golf gets MUCH better mpg. Or maybe I’ll just sell both of them and buy myself a nice set of studded snow tires for the Dakota…
Really Hoping It Wasn’t A Mistake
Permalink | Tweet This! | | September 15, 2008 by John in Shelby Dakota
I’ve got a new idea for a customized plate for the Dakota: MNY PIT.
Needs a new alternator (special order of course) and some work on the wiring that fried when the alternator went. $340.
I keep telling myself, “I knew it was an old truck. I know these things are inevitable. It’s still better than a car payment.”
Update: Northwest Battery and Electric did an excellent job fixing the harness. The bill hurt my wallet but everything is functioning great. The lights are bright and the wipers actually move. I could’ve installed the alternator myself, but the total labor bill was only $75, so I guess I don’t feel so bad.
Yep, It’s a Monday
Permalink | Tweet This! | | August 4, 2008 by John in Health-Medical, My 2002 Triumph Bonneville America, Shelby Dakota
- At lunch a large filling that must’ve fractured recently came off one of my molars. Saw the dentist and it’s one of his from last December when he replaced a much older filling.
- The transmission shop called and the Shelby’s transmission is in bad shape and needs to be rebuilt to the tune of $1600. Based on my research online this is pretty typical.
- The drive belts for my bike are currently backordered 6-9 months. Either I can live with the squeak or go Harley (again) for $50 more.
That’s the hat trick. Thank you and good night!
Shelby Update
Permalink | Tweet This! | | July 31, 2008 by John in Shelby Dakota
Today I registered ($65) and insured ($30/mo.) the Dakota, and purchased a new battery ($90 plus core). I just got regular license plates. I’m not going to spend anymore on this thing than I have to until I know it’s going to fly. Next week: the tranny shop.
Update: It runs. It’s ready to go. Woo hoo! I fiddled around inside and it appears everything works except the A/C, and hopefully that’s just a freon charge away.
Update 2: It’s going to Helena Transmission Monday morning. Hopefully that won’t cost a fortune. (Hopes dashed: should cost around $1600, almost as much as I paid for the truck: $1800)
Update 3: Pictures!
The Shelby is here! The Shelby is here!
Permalink | Tweet This! | | July 8, 2008 by John in Shelby Dakota
Thoughts turn to a personalized license plate. I wonder if vanity plates count towards your bumper sticker aggro indicator?
So far I’ve only got concatenated abbreviations of the model: SHELDAK and SHELBY D.
Yes, I’m a dork.
Update: Now I like this one best: SD1295 (Shelby Dakota #1295). Might be too much like a real license plate.
Fire Sale
Permalink | Tweet This! | | June 13, 2008 by John in Auto, Mustang, My 2002 Triumph Bonneville America, Shelby Dakota
EVERYTHING MUST GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
With regards to my latest acquisition in the form of a Shelby Dakota, I’m not simply adding to my fleet. I’m reducing it, as well as some other possessions.
- Porsche 914 Project Cars SOLD!
- 1975 Jeep Pickup SOLD!
- 1967 Chevy 327 V8 longblock SOLD!
- NordicTrack CX998 Elliptical Trainer BROKEN!
I’ll sell the Golf as soon as I’m relatively certain the Dakota is healthy, tuned up and sorted out. I’m thinking late Summer. The gas prices will still be high and school will be starting. Prime selling time for a 4banger. I would sell the Ford drivetrain bits (302 V8, automatic and rearend) if I thought I could get anything for them. I might hang on to them because they are good spares for the Mustang.
No, I’m not selling the Mustang or the Triumph. The plan is to keep those two vehicles and the pickup. That’s it. If the Porsches or Jeep do not sell, I will consider parting them out. Heck, the Edelbrock 4bbl carb and intake in the Jeep is probably worth more than the whole truck.
1989 Shelby Dakota
Permalink | Tweet This! | | by John in Auto, Shelby Dakota
My new truck, arriving Tuesday, does not look this good…
(Lots more pictures that aren’t my truck, either.)
But that’s the color and model and it has potential. It is #1295 of 1500 made. It only came in white or red and white is more rare. The paint is experiencing the usual late-80s, early-90s Dodge lifting and peeling. The decals, which I don’t really like, are also coming off. I’m hoping a good pressure wash will take most of it down to the primer, and a mild chemical strip will finish the job. Eventually I’ll have it sprayed a nice pearl white. Fenske proposed a nice red stripe down the side, styled after the AAR Cuda but with SHELBY lettering. The red would match the red interior, which is in pretty good shape.
Other issues, for one, that funky targa bar thing behind the cab is missing. They are available on ebay but I think I will leave it off. Also, two of the Shelby rims are missing, replaced with steel wheels. I’ve got my eye on a set of these old Chrysler Police wheels or these Chrysler Rallye style wheels, which I’ve also see on old Barracudas.
The biggest question mark is the automatic transmission. Basically, the A500s are crap. The seller believes the overdrive (4th gear) unit is toast. Next week I’ll take it to a transmission shop and see what the damage is. But the truck runs and drives fine. The 318 V8 has TBI fuel injection and is reportedly bulletproof with mileages in the 300k before rebuild not uncommon.
I’ll post more, including pictures, as I know more.