Got the water pump replaced along with new thermostat, belts and most of the hoses. A couple weeks later, I found out the A/C wasn't working. Had to take it back to the body shop twice before they got it fixed correctly. Need to get some updated pics on here, but we just moved so it's been rather hectic.

My Dakota developed a leak in the bypass hose to the water pump. The body shop says it's not accident related so it's not their problem. Took it to a shop and they said the water pump was leaking as well and quoted well over $500 to fix it. So, I had to wait till the weekend to get some help from my brother. We replaced the water pump, bypass hose, thermostat and belt. I wanted to replace the hoses, but the parts stor didn't have them on hand.

One thing that did happen; we couldn't get the clutch fan off the old water pump at first. When I frequented some online Dakota groups, I'd heard of several people taking the fan off since there's an auxilury electric fan mounted to the radiator. So we left the fan off the water pump. So far all seems well, but we'll see when summer comes. The engine does seem to pin up a bit faster, but it may be just me.

Finally got my truck back from the body shop last week! I couldn't get them to repaint the hood to get rid of the stripes, but I did manage to get a black bumper to replace the chrome one that was on the truck originally. Now I just have to replace the rear bumper the same way (ok, maybe without the wreck) and I'll have de-chromed entirely. Not that I'm against chrome (look at my Valkyrie), but I didn't like it on the truck.

Now I start looking for a new hood with a cowl scoop and the right kind of wire mesh for the open grill shell I have.

I'll get some new pics of the truck up soon.

I loaned my truck to my girlfriend's son while she and I ran down to Forida for the weekend. Wouldn't you know it; he ends up rear-ending someone with it!

First estimate of damages is almost $2800. But they didn't even open the hood to come up with that. I've opned the hood; the radiator is bent (yes, bent and not leaking), the mounts are broken and who knows what else...

So just now I'm driving a 97 Cavalier I just got for her daughter to go to college in. I'm taking the truck in this weekend for a full estimate by the insurance company. I'm hoping they don't total it.