August 1987....Dad is searching for a truck to pull his boat and get around snowy winters....and he was on a budget....so he found a base model Dakota with 4 wheel drive. It has what I think is the Prospector Package based on the options....light, gauge and brightwork package. This had the 3.9 with the Holley carb...which was replaced by TBI in 1988. He drove it for 18 years and gave it to me in 2005...I have it still.
The original Dakota was small. The more popular mid 90's, even available with a v8 wasn't that small. But those smaller, boxy pickups look so much better than modern trucks.
Proud driver of an ‘89 Dakota Sport Convertible. It is slowing falling apart around me despite preventative maintenance and being garaged half the year, but still has many miles left in it!
The '96 5.2 I bought 8 years ago with 130k now has 250k, and I have only ever replaced the radiator. It is incredibly reliable, makes long trips/hauls, tows, off roads, and lives outside. Best $3,000 I ever spent. I will never sell it.
I like the 8 foot bed, but it wasn't available as a club cab. I've thought it would be good to extend the frame and use the club cab and see if anyone noticed
In 1992 I had a new extended cab long bed Dakota with the 5.2L & used it as a daily work truck until 2012 when I finally sold it with 375,000 miles on it
Bought mine new in 96, still driving it now daily. Great truck, under rated. V8, 4x4 5speed short bed standard cab. Does everything, pulls, tows, plows, awesome truck. Should last me till I die, which is another 30 years or so.
Unlike anything made by Chrysler today, the first and second generation Dakota were some of the most reliable, longest-lasting trucks ever made. This is especially true of the second gen with the V6. The four cylinder models could be powered by either AMC engines or Chrysler
Have a 98 with the AMC 4cyl sitting in the driveway. Odometer shows 270,000 but it's the second or possibly third odometer on the truck so who knows the actual mileage. The little truck is still the most reliable vehicle I own
@@aaronbryan5095 I bought a 2009 grand Cherokee with bad head gaskets. I replaced them and the engine started knocking. Decided to beat the piss out of it thinking it would blow up in an hour. Literally went full throttle everywhere for a year/50k miles. Out of 500 vehicles it’s the most reliable I’ve ever had by a mile. I’ve had 15 civics and only one made it past 5k miles. These are used cars btw
I learned to drive in a bright red mid-90's stick-shift Dakota. I loved driving that truck and felt so cool. The truck seemed so big when I was driving it until I was stopped next to an F150 or other full sized truck and I suddenly felt like a little girl in a little truck.
Please do an episode on the Mitsubishi L200/Dodge D50/Plymouth Arrow truck, Mitsubishi Mighty Max/Dodge Ram 50. I had a Ram 50 and it was a great little truck.
I had a 1987 "Dakota Express". It was sort of like the like the one shown at 5:19 but with the 87 styling and different stripe package. It was probably pretty rare...I should have kept it.
I sold the final generation of the Dakota. We barely had any to sell and most were base models that it's biggest problem was that the steering column didn't move, and thus turned off tall people. People wanted the fuel economy of the Dakota but all we had were Rams. This was 2008.
While they started marketing Rams separately from the rest of the Dodge lineup around 2009, I think it wasn’t until a few years later when Ram officially became its own brand, right after the Dakota was discontinued. Many official sources still called it the Dodge Ram for a few years after that.
I remember when I started sales with Dodge in 2010 a Quad Cab 4x4 V8 Ram 1500 was $7000 less than a V6 4x4 Extended Cab Dakota. They literally priced it out of the market, at least here in Canada
I never knew Ram was its own brand until I got a car brand trivia question wrong a couple of weeks ago.. I admit I never noticed the switch, and consider myself a car guy.
As someone born in the late 70's, they will forever be the Dodge Ram trucks to me. And I have a Maverick Lariat Hybrid, and it's amazing. Perfect size, utility, and comfort. I think this size pickup market will stick around this time.
I had a 2004 Dakota with the 4.7 V8. That truck was awesome. I was disappointed when they did away with it. But they basically priced it out of the market.
I have a 2001 quad cab, bought new. Original owner V8. Keep it in the garage drive it daily. Except for the scratches I put on it the paint looks new. As long as it keeps going I'll keep it. I get compliments quite often.
The second gen Dakota was a nice looking truck and I remember once seeing lots of them. Another truck video I'm waiting for is the Chevy Avalanche with its GMC and Cadillac cousins.
I bought a new Dakota in 1988 2wd and 8' bed and had that 10 years. We lived with 1 car for a while, but I bought a used 1998 Dakota SLT 2wd and 8' bed. I would see very few with the long beds on them. They were perfect for hauling motorcycles around especially the '98, the bed height was very low compared to the full-sized models. Sadly, it rusted away and got traded off.
The International Scout Terra pickup was the first mid size pickup, introduced in 1976. 188" wheelbase, 11 cu ft of storage behind the seat and a 6 ft bed.. And two years after it's introduction, they offered the first diesel available in a passenger vehicle in the USA.
I'm a proud Dakota owner. I have a 94 sport. S. O. TRUCK V8 5 spd. Bought it new and loved it every minute. It's still my daily driver and just now about to hit 200,000 as she gets to spend part of the year parked and gone over . Maintenance and makeovers every 2 to 3 years . If i had known how food truck was going to be I would have bought 3
@@NorcoRules Yes, I actually have some Champ pickups ranging in years from 1960 to 1963, and the cabs are approximately 6-inches narrower than the other manufacturers pickups. However, beginning in 1961, they were equipped with a full-size bed that was made from the tooling of the 1957-1960 Dodge pickups. Mid-size cab with a full-size bed perhaps makes it a 3/4-size pickup. ;)
When shopping for a used pickup, the Dakota, which I still considered a Dodge, was the only pickup for the Chrysler. Unforunately, the number was very low at the time, so Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma were the main choices. Still, the Dakota was interesting.
We have the new Ram 700 here in Ecuador. It should be classified as a “micro” truck because it is tiny….even by the Ecuadorian car market standards. Marketing materials are very generous with scale and wide angle shots! I see more Ram versions on the streets than I do it’s Fiat twin. I think it being an “American“ brand helps, as other American-branded cars are very expensive here.
I got a 92' Dakota with the v-6 mated to the 5 speed nv3500 one of the best tricks I've ever had but like most older trucks it is now having electrical problems in fixing er up but it'll be a while till that's happing fully but other than that she has been one of the most powertrain sounds I've ever had other than just replacement on the clutch from she I haven't got any leaks blowby out of specs and the engine still runs like new. by far one of the best tricks I've ever owned
How about a video about Dodge B-series fullsize vans? You hardly hear anything about them, but they were built for decades and are still seen on the road despite the end of production in 2003.
I had a 02 Dakota with the V8 and that baby was fast. I only wish it had power locks and windows because it was such a pain to lean over all the time. But it was so light and had plenty of torque which translates into wicked burnouts, even if unintentional.
Thank you for another fantastic video, sir! I listened to the podcast immediately afterwards and thoroughly enjoyed that as well, thank you for posting the link. 👍
A friend of mine has a convertible Dakota and he says he gets more attention from that vehicle than any other he has ever owned, and he has owned several sports cars and some very interesting older classic cars.
Owned a convertible Dakota myself for about 8 years. I wanted one baaaaaad when I was younger and then when I actually got the opportunity to own one, it became more of a hassle to own over time.
Honestly love the dodge Dakota’s, and currently have a 01 club cab 2wd. Had a few of them and honestly some of the best truck’s I’ve had, and had four Durango’s too.
Speaking of mitsubishi, they still make pick ups. Their L200/Triton is a best seller world wide. They even sold it as a RAM in some markets, talk about reversals!
Mitsubishi needs to build a version of the Triton (L200) in the United States. Since pickup trucks are big deals now, this would help Mitsubishi greatly.
Omg I learned something knew today! I consider myself pretty nerdy when it comes to cars and never did I notice or maybe paid much thought to the ram devision😂 I always assumed it was a dodge I guess
The Jeep Gladiator is a Jeep Scrambler with 2 extra doors, so instead of a 2 door Jeep, like the Scrambler, the Gladiator is a 4 door Sport Utility Vehicle that can seat 5 people and can haul big sheets of plywood.
I bought a brand new Raider in 2010. It was still an 09 model and had already been discontinued and they were very eager to get rid of it. I got a brand new truck for the price of a 4-year-old used one.
A video on the Jeep Comanche would be really cool, it's probably the most underrated pickup truck ever.
i agree, i had one. it had the straight 6 and the 5 speed. it's downfall was the antiquated front suspension: solid axle even on the 2wd
Still got mine
@@stevem268 solid axles are perfect for use as a truck
August 1987....Dad is searching for a truck to pull his boat and get around snowy winters....and he was on a budget....so he found a base model Dakota with 4 wheel drive. It has what I think is the Prospector Package based on the options....light, gauge and brightwork package. This had the 3.9 with the Holley carb...which was replaced by TBI in 1988. He drove it for 18 years and gave it to me in 2005...I have it still.
You are a lucky man!
Upgrade that carb
I thought they dropped the Prospector package with the first 73 body D series update?
Check the RPO code
Hehehehehhehe
Nice, they are good trucks
The original Dakota was small. The more popular mid 90's, even available with a v8 wasn't that small. But those smaller, boxy pickups look so much better than modern trucks.
Proud driver of an ‘89 Dakota Sport Convertible. It is slowing falling apart around me despite preventative maintenance and being garaged half the year, but still has many miles left in it!
You forgot the Dodge Ram 50 when you discussed Dodge’s earlier attempts at a small pickup.
That was a dodge in name only. Probably why it wasn't mentioned.
Also, there was the Omni-based Dodge Rampage car-pickup. Oh, I see they did mentioned it.
Ahh yes, the Dodge Ram 50. It was a rebadged Mitsubishi Mighty Maxx
@@12yearssober The Ram 50 did have a Torqueflite transmission option
Came here to say this..
The '96 5.2 I bought 8 years ago with 130k now has 250k, and I have only ever replaced the radiator.
It is incredibly reliable, makes long trips/hauls, tows, off roads, and lives outside. Best $3,000 I ever spent. I will never sell it.
What are some hiccups to look out for on these? I'm buying a 96 sport 5.2 regular cab, is there any particular quirks they have?
I had a former neighbor that had the first generation with an eight-foot bed, and it was a great thing to see every morning.
I like the 8 foot bed, but it wasn't available as a club cab. I've thought it would be good to extend the frame and use the club cab and see if anyone noticed
I bought a 1990 Dakota brand new. I loved it.
In 1992 I had a new extended cab long bed Dakota with the 5.2L & used it as a daily work truck until 2012 when I finally sold it with 375,000 miles on it
I daily a 93 Dakota LE 3.9L 5speed and it's never let me down. I'll drive it across country if I had too.
Please Do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup
Bought mine new in 96, still driving it now daily. Great truck, under rated. V8, 4x4 5speed short bed standard cab. Does everything, pulls, tows, plows, awesome truck. Should last me till I die, which is another 30 years or so.
nice truck ya hav sir can i ask how many miles it has ?
@@katieb777 Got to almost 300k and I rebuilt the engine. So I'm probably around 100k in from that point.
@@tomc8157 wow !! nice truck you have sir
I have a 2003 Dakota R/T, lowered on Belltech suspension with 96 Viper wheels. I love this truck
Unlike anything made by Chrysler today, the first and second generation Dakota were some of the most reliable, longest-lasting trucks ever made. This is especially true of the second gen with the V6. The four cylinder models could be powered by either AMC engines or Chrysler
I've had three so far and sold them with over 250,000 miles on them.
Have a 98 with the AMC 4cyl sitting in the driveway. Odometer shows 270,000 but it's the second or possibly third odometer on the truck so who knows the actual mileage. The little truck is still the most reliable vehicle I own
Modern Chryslers are such steaming shitpiles after you put some miles on them.
@@aaronbryan5095my charger is still rolling with over a quarter mil on the clock
@@aaronbryan5095 I bought a 2009 grand Cherokee with bad head gaskets. I replaced them and the engine started knocking. Decided to beat the piss out of it thinking it would blow up in an hour. Literally went full throttle everywhere for a year/50k miles. Out of 500 vehicles it’s the most reliable I’ve ever had by a mile. I’ve had 15 civics and only one made it past 5k miles.
These are used cars btw
I learned to drive in a bright red mid-90's stick-shift Dakota. I loved driving that truck and felt so cool. The truck seemed so big when I was driving it until I was stopped next to an F150 or other full sized truck and I suddenly felt like a little girl in a little truck.
I have a 93 Dodge Dakota SAS 5.9, 36's at one time. I love this truck.
Never ever get rid of that one. All the best.
Please do an episode on the Mitsubishi L200/Dodge D50/Plymouth Arrow truck, Mitsubishi Mighty Max/Dodge Ram 50. I had a Ram 50 and it was a great little truck.
I had a 1987 "Dakota Express". It was sort of like the like the one shown at 5:19 but with the 87 styling and different stripe package. It was probably pretty rare...I should have kept it.
It feels weird to say Ram without saying Dodge first.
I love dodge dakotas i have 2 both 1987 one long bed one of them short bed both amazing trucks
Have and still drive an 01 Dakota. Probably the best vehicle I've ever owned
Hopefully, the new Dakota pickup will be as good as the Original one.
It won't. Planned obsolescence.
🤣😂
I think the last generation Dakotas styling is really under appreciated and I think it’s one of the most handsome mid size trucks.
I sold the final generation of the Dakota. We barely had any to sell and most were base models that it's biggest problem was that the steering column didn't move, and thus turned off tall people. People wanted the fuel economy of the Dakota but all we had were Rams. This was 2008.
I had a 2005 Dodge Dakota, and we had it for 16 years before it blew a head gasket
In South America there's also the RAM 1000, a rebadged Fiat Toro that is closer to the Maverick in size. It also offers AWD unlike the 700/Strada
I had a 88, 98, 99 and 2004 loved everyone of them still have the 99 and 04. I was very surprised when dodge stop production.
While they started marketing Rams separately from the rest of the Dodge lineup around 2009, I think it wasn’t until a few years later when Ram officially became its own brand, right after the Dakota was discontinued. Many official sources still called it the Dodge Ram for a few years after that.
I had a 2012 Ram 1500 which said Dodge on the dashboard. At that point, I think they were just using up all the left over parts.
I remember when I started sales with Dodge in 2010 a Quad Cab 4x4 V8 Ram 1500 was $7000 less than a V6 4x4 Extended Cab Dakota. They literally priced it out of the market, at least here in Canada
Same thing happened with Chevy Silverado and the Colorado. Ended up with Silverado single-cab for Same price
I never knew Ram was its own brand until I got a car brand trivia question wrong a couple of weeks ago.. I admit I never noticed the switch, and consider myself a car guy.
As someone born in the late 70's, they will forever be the Dodge Ram trucks to me. And I have a Maverick Lariat Hybrid, and it's amazing. Perfect size, utility, and comfort. I think this size pickup market will stick around this time.
Dodge should start making these again, since Ford and GM already have with their mid-sized trucks.
I agree. Hopefully, we won't have to wait until 2026 or 2027 before we get the return of the Dodge Dakota.
This was awesome 👌 I use to had a 87 v6 dodge dakota with 99k miles
Just saw a base convertible at the store a couple weeks ago. Had forgotten about those. It was in upstate NY. Rare find indeed here
Had a 1991 with the 3.9. Was a great dependable truck.
Had a hand in the V8 conversion assembly line in 1989 in Whittier, 1500 units, any color you like as long as it was Red or White.
I had a 2004 Dakota with the 4.7 V8. That truck was awesome. I was disappointed when they did away with it. But they basically priced it out of the market.
I have a 2001 quad cab, bought new. Original owner V8. Keep it in the garage drive it daily. Except for the scratches I put on it the paint looks new. As long as it keeps going I'll keep it. I get compliments quite often.
The dakota with the 5.9 magnum was a beast of a truck. Mayne do a series just on the dakota R/T?
The dakota with the 5.9 magnum was a *beast* of a truck. - You Misspelled *"TURD"*
WHen I first started driving I wanted a 5 speed Dakota with the 318.
The second gen Dakota was a nice looking truck and I remember once seeing lots of them.
Another truck video I'm waiting for is the Chevy Avalanche with its GMC and Cadillac cousins.
I bought a new Dakota in 1988 2wd and 8' bed and had that 10 years. We lived with 1 car for a while, but I bought a used 1998 Dakota SLT 2wd and 8' bed. I would see very few with the long beds on them. They were perfect for hauling motorcycles around especially the '98, the bed height was very low compared to the full-sized models. Sadly, it rusted away and got traded off.
I got a 99 long bed and u r right about the bed height. Great truck but cab is a bit small
Ram also have a midsize truck in some markets. The Ram 1200 which is a rebadged Mitsubishi Triton.
The other three were the Chevy S-10, the GMC S-15 and the Ford Ranger, which came about some two to three years earlier!!
You should have tied in that dodge in the 80s offered a small SUV derived from Mitsubishi called the dodge raider also a pickup the ram50
The International Scout Terra pickup was the first mid size pickup, introduced in 1976. 188" wheelbase, 11 cu ft of storage behind the seat and a 6 ft bed.. And two years after it's introduction, they offered the first diesel available in a passenger vehicle in the USA.
I'm a proud Dakota owner. I have a 94 sport. S. O. TRUCK
V8 5 spd. Bought it new and loved it every minute. It's still my daily driver and just now about to hit 200,000 as she gets to spend part of the year parked and gone over . Maintenance and makeovers every 2 to 3 years . If i had known how food truck was going to be I would have bought 3
Well done, sir! Totally worth the wait and persistent requests.
The convertible was classic!
Just listened to the podcast. You're a good human, Pat.
Had a 1992 v6 stick club cab.Loved that truck.Drove it for 15 years.
60-64 Studebaker Champ pickup was a small truck in it's day....like a Ford Falcon Ranchero.
I have a 1989 Dodge Dakota convertible. It's an awesome little truck.
I have a 01 with the 4.7 at 350,000 miles she still runs I love her !
The 1976-1980 International Harvester Scout Terra pickups were mid-sized, available with 4 and 8-cylinder gas and 6-cylinder diesel engines.
Even earlier Studebaker offered a Champ truck in 1960 that most consider a mid size ..
@@NorcoRules Yes, I actually have some Champ pickups ranging in years from 1960 to 1963, and the cabs are approximately 6-inches narrower than the other manufacturers pickups. However, beginning in 1961, they were equipped with a full-size bed that was made from the tooling of the 1957-1960 Dodge pickups. Mid-size cab with a full-size bed perhaps makes it a 3/4-size pickup. ;)
When shopping for a used pickup, the Dakota, which I still considered a Dodge, was the only pickup for the Chrysler. Unforunately, the number was very low at the time, so Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma were the main choices. Still, the Dakota was interesting.
We have the new Ram 700 here in Ecuador. It should be classified as a “micro” truck because it is tiny….even by the Ecuadorian car market standards. Marketing materials are very generous with scale and wide angle shots! I see more Ram versions on the streets than I do it’s Fiat twin. I think it being an “American“ brand helps, as other American-branded cars are very expensive here.
Please do the dodge Lancer Chrysler LeBaron dodge shelby
I see Lebarons listed for saleI see some '61 Lancers up for offer - the model with the slant six , but never the K Lancer.
I got a 92' Dakota with the v-6 mated to the 5 speed nv3500 one of the best tricks I've ever had but like most older trucks it is now having electrical problems in fixing er up but it'll be a while till that's happing fully but other than that she has been one of the most powertrain sounds I've ever had other than just replacement on the clutch from she I haven't got any leaks blowby out of specs and the engine still runs like new. by far one of the best tricks I've ever owned
How about a video about Dodge B-series fullsize vans? You hardly hear anything about them, but they were built for decades and are still seen on the road despite the end of production in 2003.
I saw a mint one on the motorway in Auckland NZ about a month ago.
Lovely, and it pulled away from me on the hills.
I'd love one.
I am sitting in 2009 Dakota V8. Great truck.
I had a 88 full throttle 3.9 and a 8 foot bed was the best truck I ever had made so much money with it.
There was the Ram 50 pickups. But I think they were just Mitsubishi pickups rebadged
Please
Next Chrysler episode be the Dodge RamCharger/Plymouth Trailduster
Day ??? of asking for a video on the Volkswagen Fox
I'd like to see a video on the Fox too!
One thing you forgot to mention was the Mitsubishi built Dodge D50/Ram 50
Because it wasn't built by dodge.
@@12yearssober I know it wasn't, that's why I said Mitsubishi built
I had a 02 Dakota with the V8 and that baby was fast. I only wish it had power locks and windows because it was such a pain to lean over all the time. But it was so light and had plenty of torque which translates into wicked burnouts, even if unintentional.
Thank you for this episode
I loved the looks of the Mitsubishi Raider. Would love to find one!
I used to have a 1999 dodge Dakota 4x4 with the 5.2 v8. I miss that truck
Thank you for another fantastic video, sir! I listened to the podcast immediately afterwards and thoroughly enjoyed that as well, thank you for posting the link. 👍
We have a 1993 and 1995 dakotas love these trucks.
yeah to me the best looking was that 2nd model, the first of the smooth. The one like the big Dodge.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. A TOTALLYAWSOME HISTORY LESSON. A MUST WATCH VIDEO!!!!
i have a 2007 mitsubishi raider. it gets all kinds of attention
A friend of mine has a convertible Dakota and he says he gets more attention from that vehicle than any other he has ever owned, and he has owned several sports cars and some very interesting older classic cars.
Extra brownie points for including the Malcolm in the middle episode at the end!😎
If you haven't already done it. I'd love to see a deep dive into the 90s Dodge ramcharger. Only made and sold in Mexico.
Those things are sick
I have a 2004 Dodge Dakota Crew with 150,000 and love it
I worked with a guy that bought a Dakota when they first came out and he traded it after 6 months. He didn't like it.
This channel is amazing
Agreed!
I would love to have either the Dakota convertible or the Shelby Dakota. Either one would be a great first vehicle for me.
Owned a convertible Dakota myself for about 8 years. I wanted one baaaaaad when I was younger and then when I actually got the opportunity to own one, it became more of a hassle to own over time.
Honestly love the dodge Dakota’s, and currently have a 01 club cab 2wd. Had a few of them and honestly some of the best truck’s I’ve had, and had four Durango’s too.
Should do a video on the Ford probe or Mazda millennia with the Miller cycle engine
You’re very good, you have a great narrative voice.
Very detailed.
Could you do something about the Toyota T100 truck?
Speaking of mitsubishi, they still make pick ups. Their L200/Triton is a best seller world wide. They even sold it as a RAM in some markets, talk about reversals!
Mitsubishi needs to build a version of the Triton (L200) in the United States. Since pickup trucks are big deals now, this would help Mitsubishi greatly.
Thanks!
Omg I learned something knew today! I consider myself pretty nerdy when it comes to cars and never did I notice or maybe paid much thought to the ram devision😂 I always assumed it was a dodge I guess
The Jeep Gladiator is a Jeep Scrambler with 2 extra doors, so instead of a 2 door Jeep, like the Scrambler, the Gladiator is a 4 door Sport Utility Vehicle that can seat 5 people and can haul big sheets of plywood.
I just watched the neon video and was about to comment on making a video about the dakota since I own a 99 rt 😂. Seems you're 10 steps ahead of me.
I bought a new 1991 Dakota. Then I got a used 1997 club cab. Then I bought the last Dakota 2011. quad cab ran it until it had 75,000 miles on it
I bought a brand new Raider in 2010. It was still an 09 model and had already been discontinued and they were very eager to get rid of it. I got a brand new truck for the price of a 4-year-old used one.
i had a 87 4x4 with a plow that i beat the hell out of and it never let me down.....the rust finally got to it but she ran until the end..
Love the ones from the 90s early 00s, they were more rust than they were truck!
I’ve seen a few Ram 700’s in San Diego.
Awesome video. Great content and well researched
I love these videos. 😇👍
I’m excited to see compact pickups make a return. Most people who say they need a full size truck would probably do just fine with a Dakota or Ranger.
Great video
The Toyota Stout was a pickup the size of a Dakota with a 1.9 4 inline
so was the peugeot 402 pickup from the 30's