Dodge Dakota Overview

July 8th, 2007 by Shenron

The Dodge Dakota was the first mid-sized pickup truck made to be as nimble and economically fuel conservative as a compact pickup truck while at the same time being strong and able enough to handle heavy loads and provide for being a workhorse. The Dakota was brought to life in a Frankenstein style assembly project with many parts coming from different vehicles, until they produced the Dodge Dakota series. These first series Dakota models were in the styles of either a two door pickup or two door convertible and it had its very own platform. Many engines were used throughout the first-gen’s lifespan (as it was active between 1987 and 1996) starting with the 2.2L and ranging up to a 5.2L Magnum V8. The features it had in 1988 were considered to be pretty good, but that year they released the Dodge Dakota Sports Package. It was available in either two wheel or four wheel drive and it came with AM/FM stereo with a cassette player, along with remote outside mirrors, and a Gauge package. In 1990 a club cab was added, and a year later the final Dakota Convertibles were manufactured after Dodge decided to do away with the Dakota Convertible.

The next era lasted from 1997 until 2004, and it had the semi-truck look of its predecessor, while in 1998 the R/T model made its debut – the reason this is significant is the addition of the Magnum V8 as an option, which bolstered the horses this vehicle used by shoving it up to 250. Finally in the year 2000 the additions included a four seater that had a shorter bed but higher human capacity than the regular. Again in 2001 they redesigned the Dakota on its lovely innards, and gave it a new dashboard along with door and seats, then about a year after this they got rid of the 4 stroke and stuck with the V6. At the end of this era’s lifespan the Dodge Dakota saw the introduction of a 210 horsepower V6 engine, while also an update was made to the Mag V8 – a total of 250 horses on that.

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