What are your opinions on some unique specs that differentiate or better from the other competitive brands for our 1st gen Dakotas? Or even current models. From the ash tray placement to block size. Just want to know what everyone has to say.

 

Cause its a Ram at Heart but smaller lol

back in the day of the S10/S15 B2000/3000/4000 Rangers etc. it was the only truck with an offering of a V8 in its class..

Its the only truck that had available Convertible 2wd and 4wd from factory

It had Carroll Shelby's interest

easy to modify! since its made from steel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Didn't know about the Carroll Shelby thing. I do agree that these trucks have a lot of ***.

I like the boxy simple lines compared to the curved front ends the later generations have aswell.

 

To be honest, I think it's pretty hard to justify buying a Dakota on paper. They're smaller than a full-size RAM with much weaker front ends, they get about the same mileage as a full-size, and don't enjoy anywhere near the same aftermarket support.

So, it's one of those things that defies reason. You love it because you love it, whether or not it makes sense.

 

Funnily enough I bought my Ram50 thinking it was a Dodge. It wa sonly after that I found out it was a Mitsubishi with Chrysler's name on it. Its a fun little toy to use for hauling crap.
The Dakota I bought because it was $900 and the only negative reviews I found were on Edmonds about the fuel pump gas gauge problem. I have spent around $800-$1000 on parts including a new fuel pump which did not fix the gauge problem. I remember was thinking I'd pop a new motor in it if it turned out to be a bad one becuase the body is so straight and rust free but it just keeps feeling like some small thing needs to be adjusted properly or some part that gets replaced normally needs replacing so I'm already in 1k and well you guys know the drill, it aint because its worth it, its because you love it. If you don't get rid of it as it will only make you mad every time you spend money to fix or improve it and that aint no way to live.
Edit: Oh yea I learned to drive in my dad's 1976 Dodge Ram club cab automatic.

 

I have several reasons:

1) My grandparents bought my Dakota new in '93. I know exactly where it's been.

2) I got it free.

3) It just broke 120k miles. Everything but the air still works. Must've been made on a Wednesday.

4) It sat in the Mojave for EIGHT YEARS until last week. I got a buddy of mine to drive it out to me, 1845 miles. It cranked the first time he turned the key and drove all the way here without turning a hair, averaging just over 22 mpg the whole trip. I'd drive it anywhere tomorrow and not think twice.

5) IT'S FRICKIN' FUN!!!

 

Good point on the ease of mind with the durability. I'm currently at 118k and the only thing that had to be replaced was the water and fuel pump which were 80 dollar or less fixes. Even when I had to push her, she's pulled through, accident without a scratch and getting out of a hole where my hitch and some of my bumper buried under ground.

 

Because I was looking for a first gen ram. They're expensive and all beat to hell. These first gens look like the rams, and I got a decent deal. I miss my first one and should have never sold it, but the new ones not too bad, just that it sure doesn't tow/haul like my old one.
Someday I'll get a first gen ram, and still probably keep the dakota.

 

Easier to maneuver than a Ram.
I Like the independant front suspension vs. the Ram's solid front axle
I like the tighter feel of the Dakota cab.
I JUST LIKE IT, OK?

 

The 3.9/5.2s are good engines and you have less weight to move around than in a comparable Ram. So, you have a truck that's slightly peppier and gets slightly better fuel economy with the same engines.

The S-10s and Rangers didn't have an 8' bed and they're just not quite the truck that the Dakota is, just like the Dakota isn't quite the truck that the Ram is. It's a nice in-between size and I like my 2,000 pound payload package and the 21.5 MPG I just got. JDakota92, I also really like the maneuverability - parking and getting around in a city isn't bad at all even with my 8' bed.