Dodge Dakota

The Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from the Chrysler LLC's Dodge brand. It was introduced in 1987 alongside the redesigned 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 below the full-sized (Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado) pickups and Dodge's own Ram. It is a conventional design with body-on-frame construction and leaf spring/live axle rear end. The Dakota is the only midsize pickup with an optional V8 engine,save for the Hummer H3T. One notable feature was the Dakota's rack and pinion steering, a first in work trucks.

1987-1996

See also Shelby Dakota

The Dodge Dakota was conceived by Chrysler management as the first "mid-sized pickup" combining the nimble handling and fuel economy of a compact pickup with cargo handling capacity approaching that of full-sized pickups. To keep investment low, many components were shared with existing Chrysler products and the manufacturing plant was shared with the full-sized Dodge D-Model. The name Dakota means "friend or ally" in the Sioux Indian language.

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 4-speed automatic transmission. Four wheel drive was available only with the V6. Both 6.5ft (2m) and 8ft (2.4m) beds were offered. Fuel injection was added to the 3.9L V6 for 1988 but the output remained the same.

In 1988, the Sport package was added as a mid-year release. Available in both 2wd and 4x4, the Sport included:

• AM Stereo / FM Stereo radio with cassette player
• Carpeted logo floor mats
• Center armrest bench seat
• Charcoal/Silver Deluxe Cloth interior with fold-down arm rest
• Color-keyed leather-wrapped sport steering wheel
• Deluxe wipers
• Dual remote control outside mirrors
• Floor Carpet
• Gauge Package
• Mopar Air Dam with Bosch Fog Lamps
• Mopar Light Bar with Bosch Off-Road lamps (4x4 only)
• Unique bodyside tape stripes
• Euro-style black out grille and bumpers
• Sliding rear window
• 3.9 L V6 engine
• 15" aluminum wheels (5 bolt)

The Sport was available only in Black, Bright White and Graphic Red.