I had a 1994 Dakota Club Cab 4x2 SLT with the 318, Auto and 3.55 Gear ratio. Two tone grey with silver in the middle and grey cloth interior. It was favorite truck I ever had. It drove like a full size sedan, was quick like a muscle car of the era (225hp) and I can pull a car trailer a few times a year with it. I even got around 20mpg on the highway. I bought it with 25k miles and sold it with 155k miles. Replaced it with a 2003 Ram 1500 in 2005 to tow the trailer easier... which I still own and love. This episode brought back some great memories! Thanks Steve for re-releasing this.
My old man had one just like that only it had red interior. He had it for many many years. He got some great use out of it. One the better vehicles he's owned.
Can't be more happy to see you back in action!!! Yep! That six lug pattern shared with the Viper. Big thing with the OEM+ and performance style upgrades. 03-04 Dual piston caliper front brake upgrade, rear disc, 1st gen 17x10 to last gen 18x10.5 Viper front wheels with minimal spacer needed to clear the A-Arms for lock to lock steering. Plus in most 97-04s were the 9.25 rear diff. Overbuilt for a small compact but could punch above its weight class. Most of the V8s were down low tire smoking toque monsters. Superchips programmer adds 20hp and cranks up the timing. Mine with the 4.7 went from peaking timing of 24 to 32-34, woke it up just from that alone.
When my dad retired, he Bought a fully loaded 1991 Extended cab Dakota 4WD with the 5.9, and that truck was great! I’ve owned a 2005 Dakota Extended cab 2WD since ‘07 and it’s the best truck I’ve ever owned. The 3.7 V6 hasn’t missed a beat Ever! Plus the creased Fenders and body lines Are too cool 😎 good to Have you back Steve!🤓
318 was a nice little engine. My son had a 79 Chrysler LeBaron with the 318. He installed a hot cam from the Mopar bin and it really woke up the engine. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. Hope you are feeling better.
My Dad had an '87 2wd Dakota longbed, V6 5 speed. It was Frost Blue exactly like the one you showed in that brochure. That truck was an indestructable workhorse! He threw cement blocks in the back for winter time weight because it went nowhere in the snow. And we still beat that thing!
I daily drive a 1996 dakota. My grandpa bought it brand new. It was a v6, but I swapped in a 5.9 magnum. With all factory fuel injection. I run a pcm off of a 1996 full size truck. Works awesome!
Great job Steve. Glad you are back as well, I just bought a 1964 dodge 880 4 door, i did watch your episode on the 1963 custom 880 2 door. Could you possibly do an episode on the history of 880's thanks, if not thats coo, I know you're busy guy. Have a great day everyone , love vehicle's ❤️ always .
I currently have my Dad's 1987 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with the 8 foot box. 1987 was a unique year as Holley 6280 2 bbl Carb was used vs. fuel injection. The 3.9 V6 was based on the LA 318 V8. The 4x4's front suspension used torsion bars versus coil springs.
I had a 94 Dakota v8, 5speed back in 2003. Mine was a early 94, built in August 1993. I don't remember it having a clutch safety switch. Fun truck. Went 15.3 @91.1 mph. No sure grip on mine. 3.55 gear, pretty sure 8.75 rear end. Great truck, ate those cheap copper plugs. Sold it because of family getting bigger. Very rare with the NV3500 manual
I had forgotten about the back and forth on HP with the mods. Interesting to walk through things like that, and the backstory on running the article is still fascinating. Take care sir, we're all pulling and praying. ~ Chuck
I drove a 1993 Dodge Dakota with a 239 V-6 in a Connie's Pizza truck back in th 1990's. I remember smoking some kid in an Eighties Firebird with assumably with some 5.0 liter in it and him giving me the thumbs up at the next light. 😃
Had a 1995 black standard cab short bed Dakota 2wd 318 5spd with a factory 3:91 posi years ago. I worked for a chrysler dealer at the time so i ordered the mopar performance computer, mopar equal length headers. Installed a highflow chambered exhaust, hurst short throw shifter and centerforce clutch. That little truck was sideways all the time. It was a blast to drive.
The fact that the hp ratings were low are strange. In high school (05-09) I had a 92, first year of the 5.2 magnum. W150, 5.2 magnum with an Nv4500 5 speed and 3:54 gears on 31x10.50 tires. With nothing more than dual exhaust and shorty drop in headers I would constantly outrun 350's with bolt on's. (ie- intakes, carbs, headers, and cams) In a full size single cab long bed manual pick up. My brother had a 92 regular cab short box 4wd chevrolet with a warmed over 355 small block. 700R4, and 3:73's. He would stay right next to me until I'd powershift 3rd then I'd get the win through the 1/4 mile. The magnum small block is nothing to scoff at even in stock form. From the moment I test drove it that pick up made me a Chrysler man. Get well soon Steve!
This video brings back some memories- I personally order a brand new 94' 5.2 liter 5 speed 3.90 rear gear regular cab bucket seats no ac black dakota sport 2wd. ordered it with a dsa code ( limited slip) they denied- no 3.90 with limited slip only 3.55 and 3.21. 1994 was the first year a 5 speed was available behind the magnum 5.2. Bone stock on the 215/75/15 radials truck was going 15.40's mid spring of 94' . Upgraded to a 235 70 tire and was going 15.20's, By September of 94 installed a true mandrel bent cat back exhaust (3") from a diesel shop in Toledo, and with better air going 14.90's. Added a Jacob ignition, and underdrive pullies and picked up a solid .15 in et. Then I installed headers in spring of 95', Mopar was behind on the release of the headers for the manual(differant part numbers) I got sick of waiting and thought the auto headers would fit- they wouldn't, the drivers side flange where the cross over pipe hit the trans. had to weld the cross over then slice the corner of the flange off for clearance. Some where in the 94 season i had a auburn pro rear diff installed. The computers were actually the best bang for the buck they added a solid .25-3 tenths off the et. i Believe it was late 95 possible early 96 by the time those computers came out. With a hoosier dirt boss tire on a black 6 lug steel wagon wheel truck would run 14.teens. Sprayed with a 100 dry shot to 12.50's . Have a lot great memories with that truck. It was the first new vehicle i purchased (21 years old) I surprised a many mustangs and gen3 camaros in the day. Only vehicle i had in the day that would pull its overdrive gear to peak hp rpm. 4600 and sit there at about 130 mph, Hood would be pushed back and raised 1.5 inches at the firewall pushing the air(no areo) . The good ole simpler days'
This truck would have been my dream truck in my high school days! I had a 1996 2wd v6 5 speed standard cab shortbox dakota but man I always wanted the v8!!
Good job Steve! Great to see you back, missed watching your videos, there were a lot of Dakota trucks in my area here in WV back in the day, I miss seeing them on the road. Thanks
I was involved in manufacturing step side beds for the short beds. We made a couple thousand of them until about ‘92. We sold them to Dodge certified conversion companies.
I own a 1994 3.9 v6 4x4 Dakota It's been a great truck, pretty good on gas. No rust. Fun to see the patina set in. Get a few comments about it here and there. Use it now then in the smmer months only. Runs great.😊
My Brother bought an 89 Dakota Sport 3.9 5 speed that was a fun truck. And in 97 I test drove a 5 speed 318 regular cab. That thing was a rocket ship. Definitely a blast. And it looked exactly like the Magazine Truck.
Dang id almost think that one might be worth pulling out since the body, wheels, glass, and block look good. With it being a 2wd light v8 truck, it might have it's day again. Im into c10s but they are just getting older and older and harder to find and fix
I have a 1993 Dakota SLT club cab white with silver inserts. It has a 5.2 automatic 3.55 sure grip. Bought this truck new. Love this truck still in great shape less than 100k miles. Drive it every week.
I've had 5 Dakota's. 3 were 4WD -- 1 was 318 5 spd, 1 318 automatic and 1 was a 3.9 automatic. 1 of the 2 WD was 318 auto the other was a 3.9 V6 automatic. They were great little trucks and were tough as nails, drove like a sedan and got good gas mileage. I wish I still had the 318 5 spd 4WD.
Hughes Engines had a factory style fix for those intake manifolds when the the thin baseplate had a vacuum leak. Also a completely new intake manifold that solved those aftermarket add on issues not performing. In stock form the 318 is a great all around engine for Dakotas and Rams.
Had an 87 2WD longer bed magnum 3.9 V6 I believe. Was on my last year apprenticeship as carpenter. I put cap on it and a flooring guy on job made a full size mat for it. Carried my tools and occasional materials. Was good truck for 10 years I believe.
Yep, the very first thing I do when I do a magnum engine is toss the keg intake in the dumpster. It really helps uncork the power in the magnum. Also, the 92/93 exhaust manifolds are 2 1/8 in collectors vs the 94+ junk 1 7/8
I had a friend that bought one in 1989 and they were good trucks, a little bigger then a Ford Ranger or a Chevy s10. One of the cool things they did offer was a convertible version 1989-91 too.
I ended up buying a set of 6-bolt rims when I was getting set up for winter with my Terrain (my fault, trusted the idiot at the tire shop and didn't look closely). Anyway, after trying to sell them, I spotted a guy in an old Dakota that looked down on his luck. Asked him if he would like them, so he followed me home to get them. His wife was in tears, said it was the nicest thing anyone had done for them. I just thought I'd share that. I even gave them a turnip and some potatoes we had just dug. Best wishes, Steve! Can't wait for some new stuff in the summer!
My first truck was a 92 3.9, red with those sporty graphics on the side. I still miss that truck. It was replaced with a 04 Ranger, which I didn't like nearly as much.
I’m a big Dakota fan. I bought a new 98 4x4 sport 5.2 extended cab. I have now a 87 LE short bed that I’ve swapped in a 318 and a 46RH transmission. It’s a fun little truck.
I own and drive 2 1st Gen v6 2wd Dakotas. An 89 “winter” SE with 275k And a mint “summer” 88 LE with 89k. Finally had some mechanical issues on the 89,water pump leak and starter click no crank. Otherwise they just run. Cold start “no plug in” on 89 at -47f. Amazing trucks.
I just bought my 3rd Dakota over 20 yrs. I had an 2001, 2002 now a 2003. The best one was the 2001 Sport 4.7 5speed and 3:55 posi rear end. My 2003 has 48,000 miles.
I still have Sam. Sam is a ‘93 Dakota 4x4 manual with the 3.9L and extended cab. She had 153k on her when I got her and I drove her past the 500k mark. She’s currently retired but hopefully will be a resto-mod sometime in my future.
I'd bet some good times were had in that cab with how this truck is optioned out. A kid in highschool with a 5.9 R/T like the body style in your article was the first burnout I ever saw out in the wild not at the track
Get well soon Steve!! So happy your on the mend!!!
Thank you for this episode Steve. The 1st gen Dakota is one of my favorite rides of all time. I could go all day with reasons why it’s a great truck
Hoping you'll be back in the junkyards soon Steve. 🙏
"Some kid I used to look like..." -Priceless!😀
How is this not the MOST popular automotive channel on RUclips?!!!!! You rock Steve!!
I had a 1994 Dakota Club Cab 4x2 SLT with the 318, Auto and 3.55 Gear ratio. Two tone grey with silver in the middle and grey cloth interior. It was favorite truck I ever had. It drove like a full size sedan, was quick like a muscle car of the era (225hp) and I can pull a car trailer a few times a year with it. I even got around 20mpg on the highway. I bought it with 25k miles and sold it with 155k miles. Replaced it with a 2003 Ram 1500 in 2005 to tow the trailer easier... which I still own and love. This episode brought back some great memories! Thanks Steve for re-releasing this.
Stories from owners are the best extra part of these vids, thanks for sharing
My old man had one just like that only it had red interior. He had it for many many years. He got some great use out of it. One the better vehicles he's owned.
Steve!!! What about the Dakota Convertibles ?? YES! . My neighbor has what's left of one!?
Can't be more happy to see you back in action!!!
Yep! That six lug pattern shared with the Viper. Big thing with the OEM+ and performance style upgrades. 03-04 Dual piston caliper front brake upgrade, rear disc, 1st gen 17x10 to last gen 18x10.5 Viper front wheels with minimal spacer needed to clear the A-Arms for lock to lock steering. Plus in most 97-04s were the 9.25 rear diff. Overbuilt for a small compact but could punch above its weight class. Most of the V8s were down low tire smoking toque monsters. Superchips programmer adds 20hp and cranks up the timing. Mine with the 4.7 went from peaking timing of 24 to 32-34, woke it up just from that alone.
When my dad retired, he
Bought a fully loaded
1991 Extended cab
Dakota 4WD with the 5.9, and that truck was great!
I’ve owned a 2005 Dakota
Extended cab 2WD since
‘07 and it’s the best truck
I’ve ever owned. The 3.7
V6 hasn’t missed a beat
Ever! Plus the creased
Fenders and body lines
Are too cool 😎 good to
Have you back Steve!🤓
318 was a nice little engine. My son had a 79 Chrysler LeBaron with the 318. He installed a hot cam from the Mopar bin and it really woke up the engine. Thanks for bringing back some great memories. Hope you are feeling better.
Glad to see you back Steve!
My Dad had an '87 2wd Dakota longbed, V6 5 speed. It was Frost Blue exactly like the one you showed in that brochure.
That truck was an indestructable workhorse! He threw cement blocks in the back for winter time weight because it went nowhere in the snow. And we still beat that thing!
Man those were little monsters for their times! Too bad and sad seeing it waste away in the junkyard! By the way! Hope you’re doing well Steve!🙏
I may have missed this one first time around. Great Hot Rod story Steve.
I daily drive a 1996 dakota. My grandpa bought it brand new. It was a v6, but I swapped in a 5.9 magnum. With all factory fuel injection. I run a pcm off of a 1996 full size truck. Works awesome!
We want more of them puppies, Steve! Get well soon!
Great job Steve. Glad you are back as well, I just bought a 1964 dodge 880 4 door, i did watch your episode on the 1963 custom 880 2 door. Could you possibly do an episode on the history of 880's thanks, if not thats coo, I know you're busy guy. Have a great day everyone , love vehicle's ❤️ always .
WELCOME BACK STEVE!!!
WE MISSED YOU!!!
Glad to see you feeling better.
I currently have my Dad's 1987 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with the 8 foot box. 1987 was a unique year as Holley 6280 2 bbl Carb was used vs. fuel injection. The 3.9 V6 was based on the LA 318 V8. The 4x4's front suspension used torsion bars versus coil springs.
Love getting the notification that Steve's uploaded again.
We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you back in the Junkyard soon
Steve, you the man! So glad you're doing better, you're one hell of a fighter!!
In 1990 I test drove one in Fresno, CA. Had alot of power. I accidently chirpped the tires at the dealership. I bought a F150.
Good story Steve . Gotta love a Dodge .
I love Steve's notes that he makes in the magazines and post-its.
he goes full 4 the vids 🤛🏽
I had a 94 Dakota v8, 5speed back in 2003. Mine was a early 94, built in August 1993. I don't remember it having a clutch safety switch. Fun truck. Went 15.3 @91.1 mph. No sure grip on mine. 3.55 gear, pretty sure 8.75 rear end. Great truck, ate those cheap copper plugs. Sold it because of family getting bigger. Very rare with the NV3500 manual
Great to see you back doing the junk yard crawls again Steve!
This was a great truck! Dodge needs to bring this back. Thanks Steve!
They'll bring it back but it'll be like a pet from pet sematary
Agreed. and good reference.@@RalphRacc00N
I agree but Dodge went Woke and is going EV. Very sad.
So good to see ya getting healthy Steve, blessings
I bought a 1987 frost blue dodge dakota 4x4 v6 manual in the yukon territories with only 150k kilometers. Its a gem
I miss these no nonsense trucks. Simple, utilitarian, and durable.
I had forgotten about the back and forth on HP with the mods. Interesting to walk through things like that, and the backstory on running the article is still fascinating. Take care sir, we're all pulling and praying. ~ Chuck
I drove a 1993 Dodge Dakota with a 239 V-6 in a Connie's Pizza truck back in th 1990's. I remember smoking some kid in an Eighties Firebird with assumably with some 5.0 liter in it and him giving me the thumbs up at the next light. 😃
I remember my first truck was a 1987 GMC Sierra with a throttle body injected 305. I was amazed how much power it had.
Love this episode first in Dakotas, run strong in our family
Who’s that geek on the cover right there! 😂 sure is good to see you back Steve!! Much love and respect!
Had a 1995 black standard cab short bed Dakota 2wd 318 5spd with a factory 3:91 posi years ago. I worked for a chrysler dealer at the time so i ordered the mopar performance computer, mopar equal length headers. Installed a highflow chambered exhaust, hurst short throw shifter and centerforce clutch. That little truck was sideways all the time. It was a blast to drive.
The fact that the hp ratings were low are strange. In high school (05-09) I had a 92, first year of the 5.2 magnum. W150, 5.2 magnum with an Nv4500 5 speed and 3:54 gears on 31x10.50 tires. With nothing more than dual exhaust and shorty drop in headers I would constantly outrun 350's with bolt on's. (ie- intakes, carbs, headers, and cams) In a full size single cab long bed manual pick up. My brother had a 92 regular cab short box 4wd chevrolet with a warmed over 355 small block. 700R4, and 3:73's. He would stay right next to me until I'd powershift 3rd then I'd get the win through the 1/4 mile. The magnum small block is nothing to scoff at even in stock form. From the moment I test drove it that pick up made me a Chrysler man. Get well soon Steve!
Steve just a pleasure to watch your videos . Get well soon. and send us some videos of yourself so we can see how you are doing 👍🙏
Great information on the Dakota! One of my favorites! I owned a 87 and a 92.👍
This video brings back some memories- I personally order a brand new 94' 5.2 liter 5 speed 3.90 rear gear regular cab bucket seats no ac black dakota sport 2wd. ordered it with a dsa code ( limited slip) they denied- no 3.90 with limited slip only 3.55 and 3.21. 1994 was the first year a 5 speed was available behind the magnum 5.2. Bone stock on the 215/75/15 radials truck was going 15.40's mid spring of 94' . Upgraded to a 235 70 tire and was going 15.20's, By September of 94 installed a true mandrel bent cat back exhaust (3") from a diesel shop in Toledo, and with better air going 14.90's. Added a Jacob ignition, and underdrive pullies and picked up a solid .15 in et. Then I installed headers in spring of 95', Mopar was behind on the release of the headers for the manual(differant part numbers) I got sick of waiting and thought the auto headers would fit- they wouldn't, the drivers side flange where the cross over pipe hit the trans. had to weld the cross over then slice the corner of the flange off for clearance. Some where in the 94 season i had a auburn pro rear diff installed. The computers were actually the best bang for the buck they added a solid .25-3 tenths off the et. i Believe it was late 95 possible early 96 by the time those computers came out. With a hoosier dirt boss tire on a black 6 lug steel wagon wheel truck would run 14.teens. Sprayed with a 100 dry shot to 12.50's . Have a lot great memories with that truck. It was the first new vehicle i purchased (21 years old) I surprised a many mustangs and gen3 camaros in the day. Only vehicle i had in the day that would pull its overdrive gear to peak hp rpm. 4600 and sit there at about 130 mph, Hood would be pushed back and raised 1.5 inches at the firewall pushing the air(no areo) . The good ole simpler days'
This truck would have been my dream truck in my high school days! I had a 1996 2wd v6 5 speed standard cab shortbox dakota but man I always wanted the v8!!
Imagine now with the new technology like a aftermarket intake and EFI could have made a huge impact. Glad to see you back.
Glad to see your heath appears to have come back...as always great videos and information 👍👍👍
Get well Steve professor
Good job Steve! Great to see you back, missed watching your videos, there were a lot of Dakota trucks in my area here in WV back in the day, I miss seeing them on the road. Thanks
Hope you're getting better Steve! Can't wait to see you around the junkyard!
I was involved in manufacturing step side beds for the short beds. We made a couple thousand of them until about ‘92. We sold them to Dodge certified conversion companies.
The hardest working man on RUclips!
Glad to see you're back. Been a fan since the 90s.
I had a 99 with a 318 ,awesome truck.Hope you are feeling better.
I own a 1994 3.9 v6 4x4 Dakota It's been a great truck, pretty good on gas. No rust. Fun to see the patina set in.
Get a few comments about it here and there. Use it now then in the smmer months only. Runs great.😊
Glad to see you back Steve!!!!!!!
Currently daily driving an '88 single cab long bed, v6 4x4, mostly original and i love the damn thing so much
I had a 92 Dakota with the 318. It was pretty quick for a 4x4 truck.
Welcome back . I have 2 Dakota's a 94 and a 2000. Both V8s love em.
Great to see you! Be well Steve!
My Brother bought an 89 Dakota Sport 3.9 5 speed that was a fun truck. And in 97 I test drove a 5 speed 318 regular cab. That thing was a rocket ship. Definitely a blast. And it looked exactly like the Magazine Truck.
I had a 93 reg cab long box 4x4 with a 318. I was 18 when I got it. It was a great truck.
I have a 92 318 with a 5 speed. I absolutely love the thing.
Dang id almost think that one might be worth pulling out since the body, wheels, glass, and block look good. With it being a 2wd light v8 truck, it might have it's day again. Im into c10s but they are just getting older and older and harder to find and fix
Good stuff Steve great detail, enjoyed! Also love the 49 Land Cruiser
I have a 1993 Dakota SLT club cab white with silver inserts. It has a 5.2 automatic 3.55 sure grip. Bought this truck new. Love this truck still in great shape less than 100k miles. Drive it every week.
I've had 5 Dakota's. 3 were 4WD -- 1 was 318 5 spd, 1 318 automatic and 1 was a 3.9 automatic. 1 of the 2 WD was 318 auto the other was a 3.9 V6 automatic. They were great little trucks and were tough as nails, drove like a sedan and got good gas mileage. I wish I still had the 318 5 spd 4WD.
Hughes Engines had a factory style fix for those intake manifolds when the the thin baseplate had a vacuum leak. Also a completely new intake manifold that solved those aftermarket add on issues not performing. In stock form the 318 is a great all around engine for Dakotas and Rams.
Nice truck series. The older 4 wheel dr Dakotas are nice.
Thank you Steve👍
Had an 87 2WD longer bed magnum 3.9 V6 I believe. Was on my last year apprenticeship as carpenter. I put cap on it and a flooring guy on job made a full size mat for it. Carried my tools and occasional materials. Was good truck for 10 years I believe.
Thanks for all your info on these cool little trucks Steve.
It would be nice if Dodge would bring a truck like this back with 2 doors and an 8 foot box.
Thanks for sharing this
One of my friends bought one just out of the military 1992. It was 2 tone gold sharp little truck.
I have a restored 93 club cab 4x4 with a 318. My wife loves this truck and has laid claim to it. Very tough little trucks.
Thank you Steve
Yep, the very first thing I do when I do a magnum engine is toss the keg intake in the dumpster. It really helps uncork the power in the magnum. Also, the 92/93 exhaust manifolds are 2 1/8 in collectors vs the 94+ junk 1 7/8
I had a friend that bought one in 1989 and they were good trucks, a little bigger then a Ford Ranger or a Chevy s10. One of the cool things they did offer was a convertible version 1989-91 too.
You rock man.
Always liked these first gens, the two tones are lookers. My first car was a 2nd gen Dakota.
I ended up buying a set of 6-bolt rims when I was getting set up for winter with my Terrain (my fault, trusted the idiot at the tire shop and didn't look closely). Anyway, after trying to sell them, I spotted a guy in an old Dakota that looked down on his luck. Asked him if he would like them, so he followed me home to get them. His wife was in tears, said it was the nicest thing anyone had done for them. I just thought I'd share that. I even gave them a turnip and some potatoes we had just dug. Best wishes, Steve! Can't wait for some new stuff in the summer!
All's well that ends well! Good on you for donating the rims and tires to a soul in need! -Steve Magnante
My first truck was a 92 3.9, red with those sporty graphics on the side. I still miss that truck. It was replaced with a 04 Ranger, which I didn't like nearly as much.
I had a 66 Caprice 327/ 275 with the factory Holley 4bbl carb.nice old car it was.
My buddy bought one after highschool. Still has it.
That dog is REALLY focused on something.
the convertables were pretty cool!
The truth is the truth!
Good to have you back!
Fast trucks. The 90's Dakotas made Ford Ranger drivers jealous.
The 2003 5.9 Magnum was the last all iron V8 with roots in the 60’s.
I really like that Steve says 0 11. I've only heard myself say that until now
Holley made a single barrel carburetor on the earlier Chrysler slant sixes. They had a nasty habit of cracking around the base.
These were Great Little Trucks. Last for ever if you Took care of them, Strong runners.
I’m a big Dakota fan. I bought a new 98 4x4 sport 5.2 extended cab. I have now a 87 LE short bed that I’ve swapped in a 318 and a 46RH transmission. It’s a fun little truck.
Loved my 92 extra cab 4x4 318. Problem smogging in CA, had to pay got double tune to pass and then run well.
Great news that you are recovering well!
I own and drive 2 1st Gen v6 2wd Dakotas.
An 89 “winter” SE with 275k
And a mint “summer” 88 LE with 89k.
Finally had some mechanical issues on the 89,water pump leak and starter click no crank. Otherwise they just run. Cold start “no plug in” on 89 at -47f. Amazing trucks.
Get well steve hope to see you soon
Seen a late 90s rt Dakota the other day. I never see em anymore so I took a picture
I just bought my 3rd Dakota over 20 yrs. I had an 2001, 2002 now a 2003. The best one was the 2001 Sport 4.7 5speed and 3:55 posi rear end. My 2003 has 48,000 miles.
I still have Sam. Sam is a ‘93 Dakota 4x4 manual with the 3.9L and extended cab. She had 153k on her when I got her and I drove her past the 500k mark. She’s currently retired but hopefully will be a resto-mod sometime in my future.
I'd bet some good times were had in that cab with how this truck is optioned out.
A kid in highschool with a 5.9 R/T like the body style in your article was the first burnout I ever saw out in the wild not at the track