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Head gasket failures can be caused by high mileage or simply an aging vehicle, but are often due to an overheated engine. Additional repairs may be needed after the inspection.

Vehicle Year

The cost of having your head gasket replaced on your 2.5L Dodge Dakota will be about the same whether your vehicle was one of the first 2.5L Dakotas (e.g., before 1990) or one of the last 2.5L Dakotas (around 2002, for example).

Parts

The parts needed to replace the head gasket may include coolant, engine oil, a gasket sealer, a head gasket set, an oil drain plug gasket and an oil filter. The cost of these parts in 2010, according to RepairPal, can range from $320 to $450.

Labor

The labor costs will probably total between $445 and $570 (as of 2010) depending on location.

Total Cost

The total cost of labor and parts to replace a head gasket on a 2.5L four-cylinder Dodge Dakota will probably be between $767 and $1,016. Additional repairs may be required and add to the overall cost of repairing the vehicle.

The front shocks on your 1999 Dodge Dakota should be replaced every 50,000 miles. The shocks attach to the axle and the frame of the vehicle. They are designed to dampen the bumps in the road to provide a smooth ride. Worn shocks can cause poor handling and increased tire wear. The front shocks for your Dodge Dakota can be purchased at auto parts stores and installed yourself with simple tools.

Instructions

1

Loosen the lug nuts off of each front tire with a tire iron wrench.

2

Place a hydraulic jack under the axle near the tire. Lift the vehicle enough so the tire can be removed. Place a jack stand under the axle and lower the axle with the jack onto the jack stand. Repeat this step to the opposite end of the axle.

3

Remove the lug nuts and pull the tires from the axle.

4

Locate the mounting bolts that secure the shocks to the vehicle. Lubricate these bolts by spraying penetrating fluid onto them. Allow the fluid to lubricate the bolts for 10 minutes.

5

Loosen and remove the bolts with a ratchet and socket. Remove the shock from the vehicle.

6

Place the replacement shock into the brackets. Use the stock hardware to fasten the shock into position. Tighten the bolts with a ratchet and socket.

7

Repeat steps 4 through 6 for shocks on the opposite side of the vehicle.

8

Reinstall the tires and the lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts with the tire iron wrench. Lift the vehicle and remove the jack stands before lowering it to the ground with the jack.

The 2006 Dodge Dakota came in three main trim levels: ST, SLT and Laramie. The Laramie trim level --- the highest available --- came standard with an overhead information display that included a compass, which must be recalibrated if it is not giving you an accurate reading. Prior to recalibrating the compass, you must set the compass variance. The variance compensates for the difference in magnetic and geographic north in the different areas of the country.

Instructions

Setting Compass Variance

1

Drive the 2006 Dakota to an open area that has no large metal objects, such as an empty parking lot.

2

Turn the ignition to the "On" position, if needed. Press and release the "C/T" button until the compass displays.

3

Hold the "Reset" button for 5 seconds, and observe as the last variance setting shows on the overhead display.

4

Press and release the "Step" button until the correct variance zone shows on the display; a variance zone map is available in the Dakota owners manual. Press the "Reset" button to exit the compass variance mode.

Calibrating the Compass

5

Turn the ignition to the "On" position, if needed.

6

Press and release the "C/T" button until the compass appears on the display.

7

Hold the "Reset" button on the overhead display to cycle through "Cal" and "Var" on the overhead display. Release the "Reset" button when "Cal" appears on the display.

8

Drive the truck in a complete circle at 5 mph or less to calibrate the compass. Watch as "Cal" disappears from the overhead display, indicating you calibrated the compass correctly.