FOREVER DAKOTA

This site is dedicated to preserving and enjoying the first generation Dodge Dakota.

Size Does Matter

In 1987 Dodge willed the mid-sized truck into existence and it was the future.

Now (2020+) there are NO small trucks any more, the mid-size market is growing even though the offerings are all so-so. Dodge doesn't even have one. Go figure.

Full size has grown also from the 90s, basically maxing out every proportion. We're to the point tailgates need elevators and most people use them to primarily to commute... things have changed. Its usually cheaper to make a bigger vehicle than a smaller vehicle due to engineering costs. To heck with what people want, manufactures love those profits.

Compared to modern mid-size trucks, the first generation Dakota is narrower and lighter, similar utility, worse gas mileage, less safety features, and less convenience features.

Build quality

The first generation Dakota was an especially well built vehicle. But, it doesn't get the credit it deserves in this regard.

Dodge bragged on the Dakota back then saying it was the "highest percent of corrosion protected components" they had ever used. It shows decades later.

Go to a junkyard and look at the condition of the Dakota interiors at 200K, and they'll look better than most 2010 vehicles at 100K. The fabrics and plastics are all better than you can buy today IMO.

The motors were mostly "bulletproof" and very tolerant of neglect. The automatic transmissions were a weak point, but owner neglect didn't help this perception and a trans cooler goes a long way.

Dakota Generations

This site considers the 87-96 trucks to be the first generation. The Dakota Mailing List was an email list that existed before the Netscape 1.0 created the Internet most of us know. How to break up the generations was debate on the DML even back then.

When the Dakota was created, Chrysler was riding high and had wild success in creating the minivan market. Chrysler had similar dreams with the mid-sized truck market and it resulted in a Dakota that was considered expensive compared to the Ram, As a result, the Dakota unfortunately got cheaper over time. This is evident even within the first generation and certainly applies to the Gen 2/3/4 trucks.

Claims to Fame

First Midsize Truck

First Rack and Pinion Steering Truck

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