r/Dodge • u/thechrisman123 Dakota • 2d ago

What's yalls thoughts on the 2nd gen Dakota

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73 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

10

u/zombie-yellow11 2d ago

I miss my 1998 Dakota with the 5.2L V8 and the 5MT every single day... It was such a blast, especially with the manual transfer case lever.

4

u/JaredUnzipped 2d ago

Purely in terms of aesthetics and cabin design, that generation of Dakota is the most appealing midsize pickup ever built.

3

u/defcon62 2d ago

Decent trucks, they do tend to rot pretty good but the drivetrains are solid. You have your choice of a 4 to 8 cyl and single cab to full 4 doors.

2

u/EC_CO Challenger R/T Classic 2d ago

My '01 AWD 5.9 was one of the best trucks I've owned. 287k miles before it was totaled, but only major issues were new heads at 220k and the transfer case at 250k. I miss that truck

2

u/zypr3xa Magnum R/T 2d ago

My all time fav truck.

2

u/Murky-Peanut1390 2d ago

Needs a comeback

1

u/Xjhammer 1d ago

Honestly I wouldn't buy anything for Ram / Dodge trucks ever again. The build quality on my 22 isn't confidence inspiring.

1

u/Murky-Peanut1390 1d ago

What 22 do you have?

1

u/Xjhammer 18h ago

1500 DT Laramie.

1

u/Murky-Peanut1390 16h ago

What engine

1

u/Xjhammer 15h ago

5.7 etorque

2

u/speedyhemi Magnum R/T 2d ago

Had a '98 5.2 durango. Didn't really have many issues, but fuel mileage sucked. Traded it for a 05 5.7L Durango, which was better on fuel with way more power and handles better. Never regreted it and it's got over 430k km on it now and still going strong.

2

u/iBUYbrokenSUBARUS 2d ago

In still think of this as the “New” Dakota

5

u/thechrisman123 Dakota 1d ago

The 3rd gens don't count as a dakota in my opinion

2

u/Von_Halen 1d ago

Love it!

1

u/SeveranceVul Challenger R/T 2d ago

my '98 SLT V-6 5spd was an awesome truck. My very 1st new vehicle.

1

u/GrimmandLily Challenger SRT8 2d ago

I had an ‘01 with the 4.7L, I loved that truck but the engine grenaded on me.

1

u/thechrisman123 Dakota 2d ago

I had a 2000 dodge durango with the 4.7 and my transfer case died

1

u/Hermit931 2d ago

I liked them but don't go cleaning an old ladies basement and don't keep any coffins you find inside

1

u/Diligent_Agent_9620 1d ago

Favorite version

1

u/Trub_o Viper 1d ago

I love them. My parents had a few when I was growing up and they were solid. One of my grandpas had a Durango too until it overheated one too many times, but I spent a lot of time in it as a kid. Now my first (and so far only) vehicle is a 2002 R/T that hasn’t let me down yet

1

u/Unlucky-Constant-736 Dakota 1d ago

Good looking trucks. I prefer the 3rd gen though like the one I have.

1

u/MainElectronic747 1d ago

Had a 99. 318, loved it.

1

u/Car_loapher 1d ago

I fucking want one

Can’t afford it tho

1

u/thechrisman123 Dakota 1d ago

Got mine for 1500 they're always a cheap one somehere

1

u/Car_loapher 1d ago

In my area you can find one for 7k with 300k miles with no interior and it pops when you turn or you can find one with 170k miles and it doesn’t run for 6k

1

u/thechrisman123 Dakota 1d ago

Hmmm iv always seem em cheap on market place maybe it's just my area idk

1

u/LarquaviousBlackmon 1d ago

The only cool thing about this truck is you could get it in 4x4 with a V8.

In this small of a truck that's badass

1

u/Xjhammer 1d ago

I had one, 1998, I miss it still. Great truck. Sure it had it's flaws, but it always started every time.

1

u/woodnei 1d ago

Love them, if only they weren't so unreliable. But that body style is pure gold.

1

u/Orzxi 16h ago

I love em, I've got a 97' with the 3.9 Magnum in it. Currently at 218,550 miles have had little problem with the engine itself, the truck is on its third tranny and needs another as it starts in 3rd. Also- heat, at least for mine is trash. But I still love it.