I have a 87 dodge raider that I have been thinking about fixing up as a daily driver. It has not been started in 5 years and I have a fuel pump on the way to try and get it running. I know alot of you have a weber on your rigs so I was thinking about getting on. My concerns are the engine and trans. It is the 2.6 and the 5spd. Everything I have read on here says it is a bad combo.I will end up commuting 30 miles each way, so I need some thing that will not give me alot of problems. The gaskets in the engine will be replaced and the cooling system will be gone through, what else should I fix. If this isnt something worth fixing then I have a 1964 valiant wagon I dd now so I could put some more money in it.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the Raider. A few weak spots, but I did use mine as a DD for 10 years.

My five speed lasted 8 years behind a turbo with a 2.6 motor turning out 2X stock HP.

One issue is any 25 year old vehicle is going to need a bit more TLC and time outs for repairs. Unless you know the vehicles history and or go through it, I would expect a few surprises.

How many miles are on your Raider? I have an '89 Monty with 158K, with the 2.6L and 5-speed. With the way it's running now, I wouldn't hesitate driving it cross country, or using it as a daily driver. I replaced the stock Mikuni with a 32/36 Weber, left the stock mechanical fuel pump, new shocks, 16" Toyota steel wheels and AT tires, AmFmCD with iPod jack, and she's good to go. I was getting 12-13 mpg with the Mikuni, and at my last fill up, I was getting 19 mpg with the Weber (combo of city and highway driving, no a/c usage).

I don't think there's anything inherently bad with using a Raider or Gen I Monty as a daily driver, as opposed to say something like a Jaguar or Saab. Just depends on what kind of condition it's in, what it needs, and what you're willing to do to keep it in good running condition.

My Monty has been at that daily driver stage ever since I put the Weber on, so now I'm just "accessorizing" it, lol! (Yakima roof racks, hitch cargo carrier, maybe some 16" Tacoma alloys or a set of 31s for the 15" Tacoma chrome steelies I painted over with bedliner coating, etc). It's using a little bit of oil now, and marking it's territory with a few drops, but checking the oil level with every fill up will keep that issue under control.

I have used my Raider nearly every business day since Sept. 27, 2005, have accumulated 99,584 miles since owning it, and have less than $2,500 spent for vehicles and repairs. My daily use until last year included hauling approximately 600 - 800 pounds of tools and junk for my work, sometimes my little water tank trailer, too.

I would say yes.

So it has 132,569 miles on it.I picked it up from my neighbor not running and he told me he got it from his work cause the carb didnt work right. So my concern is buying the wber and then having it be a piece of junk.

Properly functioning and tuned, the Mikuni will go on and on. My Raider still has the OE settings, save for idle, and more then 183K. Same goes for any piece of automobilia. The choices are to spend the money or not, change around pieces or not.

My concern is the vehicle sat for five years.

Suggested things to go through... Feel free to add to the list or tell me I'm full of it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

1: Fuel system with a tank inspection for rust and debris and crud.

2: Wiper pivots may need lube.

3: Front wheel bearings, check the grease and the preload.

4: Brake fluid, change it inspect the caliper slides.

5: Ignition wires.

6: Inspect the cooling system, heater core and all hoses. The valve for the heater control can develop leaks.

7: Drive chain for the balance shafts, make sure its adjusted.

8: Upper control arm pivots: Check for play and lube.

9: Shocks, make sure they are not rusted or leaking.

10: Make sure you dont have any coolant getting into the oil.

That's a start...