The Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from DaimlerChrysler's Dodge brand. It was introduced in 1987 alongside the similar (but Mitsubishi-sourced) Dodge Ram 50. The Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2000.

The Dakota has always been sized above the compact (Ford Ranger/Chevrolet S-10) and full-sized (Ford F-150/Chevrolet Silverado) pickups and Dodge's own Ram. It is a conventional design with a separate ladder frame and leaf spring/live axle rear end. The Dakota has also long been the only less-than-fullsize pickup with an optional V8 engine. One notable feature was the Dakota's rack and pinion steering, a first in work trucks.

1987

See also Shelby Dakota

The first generation of the Dakota was produced from 1987 through 1996. Straight-4 and V6 engines were offered along with either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. Four wheel drive was available only with the V6. Both 6.5 ft (2 m) and 8 ft (2.4 m) beds were offered. Fuel injection was added to the 3.9 L V6 for 1988 but the output remained the same.

1989 saw the unusual Dakota convertible. The first convertible pickup since the Ford Model T, it featured a fixed roll bar and complicated manual top. Just 2,482 were sold that first year. Another important 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. For 1991, Dodge added the 5.2 L V8 on their own. This engine produced 170 hp (127 kW). Both of the vee engines were updated to Magnum specs the next year, providing a tremendous power boost.

Engines:

• 1986-1988 - 2.2 L K I4, SOHC, 96 hp (72 kW)
• 1986-1991 - 3.9 L LA V6, 125 hp (93 kW)
• 1989-1996 - 2.5 L K I4, 99 hp (74 kW)
• 1991 - 5.2 L LA V8, 170 hp (127 kW)
• 1991-1993 - 3.9 L Magnum V6, 180 hp (134 kW)
• 1991-1993 - 5.2 L Magnum V8, 230 hp (172 kW)
• 1994-1996 - 3.9 L Magnum V6, 175 hp (131 kW)
• 1994-1996 - 5.2 L Magnum V8, 220 hp (164 kW)

1997

The second-generation Dakota was built from 1997 through 2004. It inherited the semi truck look of the larger Ram but remained largely the same underneath. 1998 saw the introduction of the R/T model with the big 5.9 L 250 hp (186 kW) Magnum V8.

Four-door "Quad-Cab" models were added for 2000 with a slightly shorter bed but riding on the club cab's 130.9 in (332.5 cm) wheelbase. The smaller V8 was replaced by a new high-tech V8 as well. 2004 was the end of the old pushrod V6 and big R/T V8.

Engines:

• 1997-2002 - 2.5 L K I4, 120 hp (90 kW)
• 1997-2003 - 3.9 L Magnum V6, 175 hp (131 kW)
• 1997-1999 - 5.2 L Magnum V8, 230 hp (172 kW)
• 1998-2003 - 5.9 L Magnum V8, 250 hp (186 kW)
• 2000-2004 - 4.7 L PowerTech V8, 235 hp (175 kW)
• 2004 - 3.7 L PowerTech V6, 210 hp (157 kW)

2005

The 2005 Dakota is redesigned and shares its platform with the new Dodge Durango SUV. This model is 3.7 in longer and 2.7 in wider, and features a new front and rear suspension, and rack-and-pinion steering. There are one V6 and two V8 engines available: The standard engine is a 3.7 L PowerTech V6 that produces 210 hp and 235 ft.lbf. Two 4.7 L V8s are available: a 230 hp/290 ft.lbf PowerTech, and a high-output 250+ hp/300+ ft.lbf version. The Dakota is built in Warren, Michigan.

Engines:

• 2005 - 3.7 L PowerTech V6, 210 hp (157 kW)
• 2005 - 4.7 L PowerTech V8, 230 hp (172 kW)
• 2005 - 4.7 L PowerTech V8, 250 hp (186 kW)