Shop for Dodge Dakota Parts

The first Dodge Dakota was introduced in late 1986 as a 1987 model. It was sold under the Dodge brand from its inception until 2010. And in recent years, it was under the Ram brand. The Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup developed by Chrysler. Many parts from existing Chrysler products were used to reduce investment. And production facilities for Chrysler's larger D and W models were used. The first-generation Dodge Dakota was produced from 1986 to 1996 and received a minor redesign for the 1991 model year. Four- and six-cylinder engines were offered with either a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was only available with the V6 engine. Available bed lengths were 6, 5, and 8 feet. In 1988, fuel injection was added to the 3.9-liter V6 engine, but the power did not change. The Dodge Dakota was the first pickup with rack-and-pinion steering.

This year also saw the introduction of the V8-powered Shelby Dakota, Shelby's first rear-wheel-drive car in two decades. In 1990 the stretched Club Cab model was introduced, still with two doors. This model seated six, but the rear seat was more suitable for luggage, children, and small adults. Only the upgraded 1991 Dodge Dakota had low beams. For the 1991 model, the grille and hood were redesigned to provide better access to the optional 170-horsepower V8 engine. It was equipped with the previous Shelby Dakota V8. In late 1991, the standard square glass headlights were discontinued in favor of aerodynamically shaped plastic headlights mounted in an air intake grille. 1991 was the only model year in which the Dakota had a unique front end, as it was equipped with halogen headlamps. Six-piston wheels were also introduced for 1991 models.

The Dakota Red looks like the original 1978-1979 Express models, based on the Dodge D-series. There is a step behind the cab and two vertical exhaust pipes, but they do not work. A Dakota Warrior Warlock version of the Warrior was also developed in the late 1970s. The Warrior had similar bodywork to the Express but no vertical exhaust pipes. The Express and Warrior received graphics to resemble the original models. Work on the second-generation Dodge Dakota began in 1991 when Dennis Miles, under the direction of chief designer John R. Starr, proposed the body style. It was approved in mid-1993, and production was completed in January 1994. On May 20, 1994, a prototype application was filed with the USPTO as D373.979. The 1997 Dakota was announced in a press release in the summer of 1996 and was produced from July 1996 through July 2004. It adopted the trailer design of the larger Ram model, but the body remained virtually unchanged. However, the power steering was replaced with rack-and-pinion steering on four-wheel-drive models as part of the modification.

In 1998, thanks to a small group called Truck Special Programs, production of the Dakota R1 began in Brazil with a four-cylinder base engine and 2.5-liter VMI and V8 turbodiesel engines based on a reinforced four-cylinder chassis used in the two- and four-wheel-drive models. 2002 was the last year the Dakota used a four-cylinder engine, as Chrysler took over production of the model from American Motors Corporation. Most cars were equipped with the more powerful V6 or V8 engines. Four-cylinder engines were not available with automatic transmissions. SIRIUS satellite radio was now available as an option, and this new feature could be integrated into the new radios with new wiring harnesses. There was also a CD changer. The radio did not have to be installed separately in another part of the car. The driver could load up to six discs at a time and change them at any time. The radio information system became standard on some radios.