So here I am...after over 11 years of ownership, this is my introductory post for a full fledged build on the R/T.
Now I remember fondly the day 'ol rusty blue 1987 Toyota Pickup 2WD 4 speed got wiped out by an unconscious driver in front of my house Thanksgiving 2008...
The accident was scary and thankfully no one was injured, including the driver of the red Dodge van amazingly. The careening van took out my truck sideswiping it before continuing to total my brother in-law's Corolla, also parked out front. The 'Yoda was my first truck and car with three pedals. The 2.4L 22RE engine was an unstoppable legend, but I thirsted for more than a one-tire-fryer with 105hp. Plus that thing was a tin can!!
As unfortunate that event may have seemed, it sparked a new path into the hunt for a new truck, one which I dreamed of owning one day...a 5.9L V8 Dakota R/T. During my quest, I quickly realized the R/T's only came in automatics. That didn't dissuade me from falling in love with an oh-so-sweet flame red 1999 extended cab, rust free from Florida with only 74,000 miles. I won the bid on eBay and flew down February of 2009 to drive it back up from Tampa to it's new home in NY.
It was such a memorable trip, I'll never forget the feeling of taking that flight down. The sensation of seeing and hearing it in person for the first time at the Tampa airport, as it rumbled in the terminal where the former owner drove up to meet me. Along the road trip back I had time to visit my grandparents and friends along I-95. I got to stop and see a few sights too, it was the ultimate sense of freedom and joy.
Since then I've been active through the years doing little mods here and there, pretty much just enjoying the truck with its power-plant in mostly stock form.
I've taken good care of her, and she's taken good care of me. I've had plenty of tire shredding fun, while also putting her to work hauling stuff around...
But now after 10+ years and over 70,000 miles of seat time, I'm excited to finally be going full bore and building up the truck how I always envisioned it...A 408 Forged N/A Shaker with a 5 Speed.
Wish me luck as I'm sure I'll need it , along with all the advice I can get!