Griffin forgot to write a Shitbox Showdown post today, or I forgot to tell him, so it’s 12:36 AM and I’m doing it. I’m not mad, I’m just a little disappointed. But hey, Shitbox Showdowns are fun; I’m constantly staring at Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, anyway, so allow me to just tell you the current apples of my eye: They’re convertible pickup trucks.
First, let’s talk about Friday’s showdown pitting a Ford Bronco II up against a Suzuki Samurai. Unsurprisingly, the off-road billygoat Suzuki Samurai took home the crown with 58% of the votes, while the much-maligned Bronco II took the L.
I myself don’t mind Bronco IIs, but like Mustang IIs, it’s hard to win favor when you’re an underpowered, smaller sequel to a much cooler OG.
Today, though, I’m using Shitbox Showdown as a way to show you a car that I really badly want to purchase right now. It’s this Dodge Dakota Convertible:
1989 Dodge Dakota Convertible – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 3.9-liter V6, 5-speed AX-15 manual transmission, RWD
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Odometer reading: 140,000
Operational status: “It’s a good truck overall does need cosmetic things like the rag top and other things but mechanically good.”
Some of the most fascinating characters in automotive history are the people who threw caution to the wind to start something from scratch. People John DeLorean, Malcolm Bricklin, Jerry Wiegert, maybe Henrik Fisker, maybe Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Heinz Prechter come to mind. These entrepreneurs — many of them a little out there — just went for it, with varying degrees of success and with plenty of failures.
Someday I’ll tell the full story of Heinz Prechter, the West German who — at age 21 — flew to LA and started installing sunroofs into cars right here at Galpin Ford, before ultimately starting American Sunroof Company. This company became larger than life; it wasn’t just a small outfit hacking holes into roofs — no, ASC worked with lots of major automakers like Ford and Honda to offer manufacturer-backed sunroofs to customers.
ASC is the reason the Buick GNX exists, it’s the reason the Chevy SSR exists, it’s the reason you could get a convertible Porsche 944, it’s the reason you could get a fabric convertible roof on the Jeep Liberty KK, and it’s the reason one could purchase — for just a few years — a Dodge Dakota Convertible.
These are insanely rare, with under 4,000 made between 1989 and 1991. ASC lopped the top off of a standard Dakota, installed a roll bar, and outfitted a fabric roof to create a vehicle that can do it all: bask its driver in some rays, carry a load, and — when outfitted with 4wd — off-road.
This particular Dakota has the 3.9-liter V6 instead of the 5.2-liter Magnum V8, meaning it makes 125 horsepower instead of 175. Still, with the stout Aisin-built AX-15 five-speed manual, that should be plenty of power to scoot this rare machine down the road.
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The seller says the truck is decent overall but needs some cosmetic love, including a new top; the good news is that it appears the fabric can be purchased online. The interior also appears to need some love, and I’d be a little suspect of the electrical system as well. It looks like these photos were taken in the rain, so you can be the radio and dash and all that got soaked. Beyond that, the truck needs a new clutch.
It’s a tough sell, but with a bit of mechanical love, a new top, and some interior parts from a parts-Dakota, this thing could be legit. I myself would be tempted to convert it to 4×4, and build the ultimate little off-road convertible pickup. Dakotas of this era basically used the same drivetrain as an XJ, but with independent suspension up front instead of a solid axle; they’re tough ,and parts available ain’t bad, either.
1968 Kaiser M715 Army Truck — $7500
Engine/drivetrain: 230 “Tornado” OHC inline-six, four-speed T98 manual, 4×4
Location: Bristol, WI
Odometer reading: No Clue
Operational status: “Turns over, but won’t start. Ran when it was last parked.”
Ah, the Kaiser M715 army truck. What an amazing machine. It’s actually based on the “SJ” Jeep platform that underpins my 1985 Jeep J10 (along with the Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and more). Obviously, the M715 is beefed up quite a bit compared to my J10, and it has the killer feature that mine doesn’t: a convertible top.
The new Gladiator also has an open top, but for the most part, convertible pickup trucks just aren’t a thing for some reason, even though I love the concept. The M715 has always been my favorite because of its off-road capability, its simplicity, and its chiseled good looks.
This one looks to be in decent shape; the engine in the back has me wondering, and the fact that it’s in Wisconsin does concern me a bit, as these have lots of rustbucket potential. Still, from the photos, this looks decent, and if the body is in good shape and the motor can be tuned into submission, $7,500 doesn’t sound bad.
The 230 OHC Tornado is a sweet engine. There are some real experts on it over on OldWillysForum.
Of course, I’m biased – I have one in my ’64 Willys Traveller.
Viel Glueck!
The M715 is the right answer. If for no other reason, you can use the phrase “Five-quarter ton” to describe your truck. It would also make one hell of a tough off road vehicle.
David – the Dakota didn’t get the 318 until 1991, which has a different front end on it than the older ones (the new front end was needed to fit the V8). From limited research the convertible never got that front end, as they only built like 8 to finish out the ASC contract. In a convertible you are stuck with the non-Magnum V6 which was a weezer. I’m also pretty sure these shared very little with XJs until at least after the refresh, since they were designed before Chrysler bought Jeep. They shared the trans but not much else I believe.
I’m mostly referring to the AX-15, Chrysler 8.25 axle, and NP231 transfer case. You’re right about the 318.
Had to go Army Jeep. Guy we used to buy Jeep parts from had one. Occasionally he’d take it 4 wheeling with our little group of CJ-5s and Willys. That truck would create a path of destruction through the woods, leaving scars on every tree it passed while our little rigs slipped through without a problem. Good times…
In about 1988-1990 it was peak mini truck. I had a subscription to Mini-Truckin’ magazine. In every issue was an ad for a company selling a lift off hard top conversion for the S10/S15 & Ford Ranger. Mybe other mini trucks. Don’t remember the details. Anyway, open air pickups were a thing for a minute and this was the factory response. I’d go Dakota in this pairing. Swapping a 5.7 Hemi would be a good start. I mean it’s looking like it needs a full mechanical redo so may as well go nuts.
Meh, I already have a green ex-government truck. I vote Dakota.
But – no. Bad David. No more cars.
The Jeep is really tempting, but I could see it being very miserable to daily. I started looking for one of these Dakotas around 2000, when there were still a few around. I passed on a ratty 2wd for $1500 because I wanted the 4×4. I regret that now. Dakota gets my vote.
I definitely see you in the Kaiser, and not the Dodge.
I don’t see myself in either one.
A 700-mile drive down I-5 to visit my mom would probably end up somewhere around Medford, putting a gun (that I don’t own, so don’t worry) to my head.
Sure, the Dakota might hurt less financially, but the chance to own an army Jeep speaks to my inner child and I can’t tell myself no like that.
I was thinking about cutting the roof off my T100 regular cab 2wd. I learned that I’d need to bolster the remainder cab so I’d be able to open and close the doors.
The Dakota would make especially boring scrap. I’ll take the Kaiser and the misery because at least I will feel something.