Todays NorCal Spotlight is on the Dodge Dakota. We always seem to have a several in stock, so we’re sure to have the one you are looking for!

The Dodge Dakota: A powerful Ally

The Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler LLC. The car itself was introduced in 1987 with the Dodge Ram 50. The Dakota is considered by many as the in between truck, sized larger than the more compact Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S 10 yet smaller than the full-sized Ford F-150 and the Chevy Silverado. The Dakota was a finalist for North American Truck of the Year in 2000 for its features and the standard rack and pinion steering, a first ever in trucks. Not to mention that the Dakota is the only midsize pickup that comes with an option to add a V8 engine.

In its early years, Chrysler envisioned the Dakota as the best of both worlds. Combining all of the features of a compact pickup such as nimble handling and fuel economy with a good cargo capacity featured in full-sized pickups. The name Dakota actually originated from the Sioux Indian language and it means “friend or ally” something that is fitting for a truck that has proven to be a great ally for workers everywhere.

First American convertible pickup since the Ford Model T
In 1989, the Dakota lost its top and became the first American convertible pickup since the Ford Model T. It came standard with a fixed roll bar and an easy to operate manual top. That very year, Caroll Shelby’s V8 powered Dakota came out. This was his first rear-wheel drive vehicle in two decades. In 1990, an extended Club Cab model became available. This allowed the Dakota to sit six people comfortably. Shortly after, the Dakota received a hood and grille makeover and Dodge added a 5.2 L V8 engine that was inspired by the early Shelby Dakota model. The engine output 170 hp and was later updated to Magnum specs that provided a significant boost of power in just about every aspect; it produced a powerful 235 horses.

Today, the redesigned Dakota no longer shares its platform with the Dodge Durango SUV. Also, the truck currently comes in a V6 and a V8 model; the standard engine is a 3.7 L PowerTech V6 and the available 4.7L V8 engines are the PowerTech V8 and the V8 high Output. The Dakota is built at Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan and the new models produce 210 horsepower and 235 ft-lbf of torque standard. The optional V8 engines produce 230 hp and 295 ft-lbf of torque while the High Output engine produces 260 horsepower and 310 ft-lbf of torque.