Dodge · 1986–present

Dodge Dakota

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 for South American market was unveiled in August 2025.

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First generation (1987–1996)

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 in

Second generation (1997–2004)

The second-generation Dakota began development in 1991, with an exterior design proposal by Dennis Myles under design director John R. Starr approved in mid-1993 and frozen for production in January 1994, 30 months ahead of Job 1. Design patents were filed on May 20, 1994, under D373,979 at the USPTO. The 1997 model year Dakota was presented by press release in the summer of 1996 and manufactured from July 1996 through July 2004. The Dakota inherited the semi truck styling of the larger Ram, and used mostly the same mechanicals as its predecessor – with the exception of its steering, which was updated to rack-and-pinion. In the spring of 1998, a limited-edition R/T package was available as an option on the Dakota Sport model from 1998 to 2003. Available in 2WD, it included a 5.9-liter Magnum V8 which produced 250 hp (186 kW) at 4,400 rpm and 345 lb⋅ft (468 N⋅m) of torque at 3,200 rpm, mated to a 46RE four-speed automatic. Notable features included special 17×9" cast aluminum wheels mounted on P255/55R17 tires, monotone paint, bucket seats (with optional center console), thicker front and rear stabilizer bars, a rear axle with limited-slip differential, and suspension, braking, exhaust, and steering systems that were tuned for performance (the steering system from the R/T is the same as that from the standard Dakota), giving the R/T a ride height that was one inch lower than the standard Dakota. Chrome wheels were available on 2002 and 2003 models. Some of the last models made in 2003 came with the new stampede lower body cladding package and a chromed version of the original cast 17×9" aluminum wheels at no extra charge. This version of the R/T Dakota was produced through 2003, with the newer 2003 R/T trucks designated as their own trim line, and no longer as part of

Third generation (2005–2011)

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 3.7 in (94 mm) longer and 2.7 in (69 mm) 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. 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 210 hp (157 kW) and 235 lb⋅ft (319 N⋅m) of torque. The standard-output 4.7 L V8 produces 230 hp (172 kW) and 295 lb⋅ft (400 N⋅m) of torque. The high-output 4.7 L V8 produces 260 hp (194 kW) and 310 lb⋅ft (420 N⋅m) 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. 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,

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. At the time, according to Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Chrysler Group, the Dakota would not be replaced by a similar vehicle, mostly because of the declining popularity of compact trucks on the North American market. 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 197 hp (147 kW) and 332 lb⋅ft (450 N⋅m) 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 in 2025 to be under development.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Dodge Dakota
Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation (1986–1998), DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007), Chrysler LLC (2007–2009), Chrysler Group LLC (2009–2011), Stellantis (2025–present, South America)
Production: 1986–2011, 2025–present (South America)
Model years: 1987–2011, 2026–present (South America)
Assembly: United States: Warren, Michigan (Warren Truck Assembly), Brazil: Campo Largo, Paraná (1998–2001)
Class: Mid-size pickup truck
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Predecessor: Dodge Ram 50

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q868945CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_DakotaCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375231984 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:87-90_Dodge_Dakota.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.