The Dodge Dakota, marketed as the Ram Dakota for the final two years of production, is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler and marketed by its Dodge Truck division (model years 1987–2009) and later its Ram Truck division (2010–2011) — across three generations.
It used body-on-frame construction and a leaf spring/live axle rear end and was the first mid-size pickup with an optional V8 engine. For its entire production, the Dakota was manufactured at Chrysler's Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan.
The Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2000. The new 2027 Ram Dakota was unveiled in South America in August 2025.
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First generation (1987–1996) <span class="anchor" id="1"></span><span class="anchor" id="First"></span><span class="anchor" id="1987"></span><span class="anchor" id="AN"></span>
The Dodge Dakota was developed by Chrysler as a mid-sized pickup. To keep investment low, many components were shared with existing Chrysler products and the manufacturing plant was shared with the full-size Dodge D/W series. The N-body platform was the result of operational efforts by Harold K. Sperlich, who was in charge of Chrysler's product planning in the early 1980s.
The first generation of the Dakota was produced from 1986 through 1996 (for the 1987–1996 model years). The Dakota was the first pickup truck with rack-and-pinion steering (2WD only, and early years were available without power steering). Inline-four, V6, and eventually V8 engines were offered along with either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive was available only with the V6. Both 6.5- and 8-foot beds were offered.
The sport package was added as a mid-year release. Exterior colors came in black, bright white, and graphic red. Available only with the 3.9-liter V6 engine in both 2WD and 4WD, the Sport option included black grille and bumpers with side stripes and 15-inch aluminum wheels, as well as a front air dam with Bosch fog lamps and a light-bar with Bosch off-road lamps (4WD only). It also received the sliding rear window which had hitherto been reserved for the LE. At the interior, Sport buyers received a full gauge package, floor carpet, an upgraded stereo cassette player and radio, carpeted logo floor mats, a charcoal/silver "deluxe" cloth interior with bench seat with center armrest, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, and remote controlled outside mirrors.
Fuel injection replaced the carburettors on the 3.9 L V6 for 1988, but the rated output remained the same. Power windows and locks were now made optional.
For 1989, the Dakota convertible was introduced. It featured a fixed roll bar and a simple manual top. The idea came from Jerry York and they were manufactured by ASC (American Sunroof Company). About 2,482 were sold during the first year.
Another addition that year was Carroll Shelby's V8-powered Shelby Dakota, his first rear-wheel drive vehicle in two decades.
An extended Club Cab model was added for 1990, still with two doors. This model offered six-passenger seating, though the rear seat was best suited for cargo, children, and shorter adults.
<gallery widths=200 heights=150>
1990 Dodge Dakota, Front Right, 09-09-2019.jpg|1990 Dodge Dakota
1988 Dodge Dakota SE 4×4 in Dark Suede and Medium Suede, rear left.jpg|1988 Dodge Dakota; rear view
1989 Dodge Dakota Convertible Pick-Up 2.jpg|1989 Dodge Dakota Sport convertible
89 Dakota Sport conv.jpg|Dakota Sport Convertible; rear view
1989 Dodge Dakota Shelby.jpg|1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota
Dodge Dakota 1994 SLT.JPG|1991–1996 Dodge Dakota Club Cab
1991 Dodge Dakota regular cab.jpg|1991-only facelifted Dodge Dakota with sealed-beam headlights
</gallery>
The 1991 model year featured a new grille and hood for better access with optional 5.2 L V8, which was included with the previous Shelby Dakota V8 option. By the end of 1991, the standard square sealed-beam glass headlamps were phased out for the aerodynamic-style molded plastic headlamps attached to the grille components. It was equipped with halogen lights, making 1991 the only model year for a unique front-end for the Dakota. Also debuting on 1991 models were six-bolt road wheels (replacing the earlier five-bolt versions).
This was the last year for the Dakota convertible. To fulfill the Dodge division's commitment to the American Sunroof Company, production of the convertible version was extended into the 1991 model year. A total of eight were built. Unlike the previous years, colors and options varied more than before. This version was not advertised and did not appear in sales literature.
The 3.9 L V6 and 5.2 L V8 engines were updated to Magnum specifications for 1992, increasing rated power to , respectively. The engines now had multiport electronic fuel injection (EFI) with Chrysler's powertrain control module which was partially responsible for the improved performance.
The 1994 model year had a few minor changes, with the most notable being the addition of a standard driver's-side airbag, located in a new, two-spoke steering wheel (also found in the Ram). Other changes included the discontinuation of the "SE" and "LE" trims. In following with the all-new Ram full-sized pickups, the top-end trim was renamed to "SLT," with these models (along with select others) including new chrome-finished, styled six-bolt steel wheels styled similar to the five-bolt type found on the larger Ram. Other changes included revisions to color and overall trim options. SRS airbags were also added for 1994. A CD player became optional, as did a combination cassette player and CD player unit. Leather seats were also available on LE models. New alloy wheels were available.
The 1996 model was the final year of the first-generation. The base K-based 2.5-liter SOHC I4 engine was discontinued; it had been considered vastly underpowered compared to the competition. It was replaced by the 2.5 L AMC straight-4 engine, with an OHV valvetrain and rated at . This was the only major change for 1996, and the AMC 2.5 L engine continued as the standard engine in the new, larger 1997 model.
Li'l Red Express Dakota and Dakota Warrior
thumb|Dodge Dakota Li'l Red Express next to four of the original Dodge Lil Red Express trucks
Two special editions of the first were constructed with step-side beds. Both were constructed by L.E.R. Industries of Edwardsburg, Michigan. The step-side beds were constructed out of fiberglass and galvanneal. Wooden bed rails were also available.
The Li'l Red Express Dakota was made to resemble the original 1978–1979 Express models that were based on the Dodge D series. It featured the step-side bed and dual vertical exhaust stacks behind the cab that were non-functional. The Dakota Warrior was made to resemble the Warlock trim from the late 1970s. Warriors included the bed as the Express, but lacked the vertical exhaust stacks.
Production numbers for the Expresses and Warriors were in the hundreds. A few were made with the 5.2 L Magnum V8 engine, which was only an option during 1992, the final model year of Express and Warrior.
Safety
{| class="wikitable"
|+1998 Dodge Dakota (2-door) on IIHS
!Category
!Rating
|-
|Moderate overlap front
| style="color:white;background: red"| Poor
|}
NHTSA crash test ratings (2003, 4-door):
- Frontal Crash Test – Driver:
- Frontal Crash Test – Passenger:
- Side Impact Rating – Driver:
- Side Impact Rating – Rear Passenger:
- Rollover Rating:
Third generation (2005–2011) <span class="anchor" id="3"></span><span class="anchor" id="Third"></span><span class="anchor" id="2005"></span><span class="anchor" id="ND"></span>
The redesigned 2005 Dakota still shared its platform with the new Dodge Durango SUV (which was now even more similar to the Ram platform). This model was longer and wider, and features a new front and rear suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering. This new generation model also reverted to five-lug wheels from the prior generation's six-lug wheels to reduce costs and assembly times.
left|thumb|2006 Dodge Dakota R/T
A V6 and two V8 engines were available: The standard engine is a 3.7 L PowerTech V6; the two 4.7 L V8 engines are the standard PowerTech V8 and the V8 High Output or HO. The 3.7 L V6 produces and of torque. The standard-output 4.7 L V8 produces and of torque. The high-output 4.7 L V8 produces and of torque. Both the 3.7 L and standard output 4.7 L V8s were available with the six-speed manual transmission in 2005 and 2006. For 2007, that option was deleted on the V8 models.
In addition to a refresh of the styling, this generation was not offered in a regular cab model. Only the Club and Quad Cab configurations were available. The Dakota R/T returned in late 2005 for the 2006 model year, but only with cosmetic modifications. Despite the "R/T" moniker which signifies "Road and Track," the newest Dakota R/T was simply an option package, characterized by a non-functional hood scoop, exclusive gauge cluster, and hockey stick–style side stripes. The package was available on both two- and four-wheel-drive models.
thumb|2008 Dakota Quad Cab
The facelifted third-generation Dakota was unveiled at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show as a 2008 model. The Dakota received another facelift and interior upgrade along with a few other upgrades, including built-in cargo-box utility rails, heated bench seats, best-in-class towing (up to ), the largest and longest standard bed in the class, and the largest mid-size truck cab. Its new 4.7 L V8 produced and of torque. The standard engine remained the 3.7 L V6 with and of torque. Production began in August 2007.
As of 2010, the Dakota was considered a part of the Ram lineup. However, the "Dodge" emblem still existed on the tailgate, and the truck was interchangeably referred to as a Ram Dakota or Dodge Dakota. Its Mitsubishi Raider sibling was discontinued in 2009.
thumb|Rear view of a 2007 Dakota Quad Cab
The IIHS gave this generation a "Good" rating in the frontal offset crash test.
Models
Throughout its production run, the 2005 to 2011 Dodge Dakota was available in three basic models:
The ST served as the base Dakota model. It included the following features: sixteen-inch styled steel wheels, sixteen-inch tires, front cloth bench seats, vinyl-trimmed seating surfaces, manual windows and door locks, black plastic bumpers, an AM/FM stereo with a single-disc CD player (later, single-disc CD/MP3 player), and auxiliary audio input jack (on most models), a four-speaker sound system, air conditioning, a 3.7 L "PowerTech" V6 engine came standard, or the optional 4.7L "PowerTech" V8 Engine also available on the ST model.
The SLT served as the "mid-level" Dakota model. It added the following features to the base ST model: sixteen-inch sport-styled alloy wheels, cloth seating surfaces, and power windows and door locks with keyless entry. The SLT was available with any engine offered on the Dakota. A Big Horn (or Lone Star in Texas) package was also available for the SLT model, which included "value-added" features, as was an SXT package that added a color-keyed front grille, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, and "sport" cloth seating surfaces.
The Laramie, otherwise known as the SLT Laramie, was the "top-line" Dakota model. It added the following features to the "mid-level" SLT model: seventeen-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, seventeen-inch tires, an AM/FM stereo with a six-disc, in-dash CD/MP3 changer and auxiliary audio input jack (on most models), a premium Infinity (later Alpine) six-speaker amplified audio system, leather-trimmed heated seating surfaces, power front seats, a security system, a five-speed automatic transmission, and the base 4.7 L "PowerTech" V8 engine, though the high-output version of the same engine was also available on the Laramie or SLT Laramie.
Safety
{| class="wikitable"
|+2008 Dodge Dakota (quad cab) on IIHS
!Category
!Rating
|-
|Moderate overlap front
|
|-
|Side impact
| style="background: #f5a61d; color: black; text-align: center;" | Marginal
|-
|Roof strength
| style="background: #f5a61d; color: black; text-align: center;" | Marginal
|-
|Head restraints & seats
|
|}
Discontinuation
The third-generation Dakota was discontinued in 2011, with the last unit coming off the assembly line on August 23, ending the truck's 25-year run. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced in September 2014 an agreement with Mitsubishi Motors to codevelop the next-generation Mitsubishi Triton/L200 to be sold globally by both companies. It is sold as RAM 1200 in some Middle Eastern countries.
Fourth generation (2025–present)
South American model
The South American fourth-generation Dakota released in August 2025, in Argentina. It shares components with the Fiat Titano and is powered by a 2.2-liter diesel producing and of torque. Power is delivered through an 8-speed automatic and standard four-wheel drive.
North American model
A Dakota for the North American market, a body-on-frame design distinct from the Argentinian model, was confirmed by Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa to be under development.
Sales
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Calendar year
! US sales
|-
| 1999
| 144,148
|-
| 2000
| 177,395
|-
| 2001
| 154,479
|-
| 2002
| 130,712
|-
| 2003
| 111,273
|-
| 2004
| 105,614
|-
| 2005
| 104,051
|-
| 2006
| 76,098
|-
| 2007
| 50,702
|-
| 2008
| 26,044
|-
| 2009
| 10,690
|-
| 2010
| 13,047
|-
| 2011
| 12,156
|-
| 2012
| 490
|}
References
External links
- Dodge Dakota at Allpar
- Dakota USA Truck forums all about the Dodge Dakota