Hey guys. I ma thinking about buying an 89 dakota sport automatic 4X4. Just wanted to hear what you guys had to say about'em and any warnings about'em. Gas Milage woes and things of that nature. Oh yea...are there any performance mods besides dropping in a 318 and what not for these. Exhaust I know but is there anything else and where can I find it? thanks guys.

 

ya, theres really nothing you can do to the 3.9 thats worth it. if your really set on power, then I would look for a V8 dak....or dop one in.

but these trucks are pretty solid trucks. gas milage is around 13-15mpg.

 

if your looking for power look for one with a V8, my 89 auto 3.9 4x4 is very dependable, gets a little more than 15 mph highway but drinks gas on city roads. its also a slug with regards to power and dont go fourwheeling in sticky mud as ive had mine so stuck that the tires would not spin( just not enough power). ive also had mine since 89, wouildnt trade it for anything.

 

So will it pull a trailer and my 2 four wheelers ok? what about a car if I absolutly had to?

 

I wouldn't pull a car with it unless it was a Yugo. It should handle the two ATVs though. When I had my '89 with the 3.9 I would throw my ATV in the bed and I couldn't eventell it was there. I think it would do two on a trailer no problem.

 

Thanks for the input boys, but I went and ck.'d it out. R.O.U.G.H. is all I have to say. rusted wheels, maintanance required light on, dent, broke tail light, engine noise, mirror missing..etc. They for sure took a picture of the good side!!!!!! haha. well thanks again for the input boys.

 

I have a class 3 hitch on my 90 Dakota Sport and have towed my Spirit R/T with it. Not a great tow rig, but it got the job done.

 

Ive towed my lebaron with both a ranger and my dakota. Dakota doesnt do bad as long as you dont mind taking forever to both accelerate and stop. Plan ahead and they pull just fine. From what ive read my 87 is rated to tow 5,000 lbs.