So...
I bought a new bed over the weekend, and I was just going to throw it in the back of the D just so I wouldn't have to pay for them to deliver. Well I guess a queen size boxspring dosen't fit well...
So it got me missing my pickup that I had to give up for the D. And then I remembered there was a pickup D, the Dakota!
Any thoughts on the Dakota? Are they basically the same as the D?
I did a little research and have come to find that they are a bit lighter then the D's are.
I really want a crew cab 5.2L with the 5 speed and the 231HD if possible. But I am sure they are hard to find...Any thoughts? Does anyone think a straight trade could be done here?

 

We have had a few Dakota's and have had pretty good results. I had a 94(I know, older) Dakota, 5.2, 5 Speed, Ext. cab that ran up until 346,000...and is still running. My father sold it a month ago. Right now he has a 1999 Dakota, 3.9, 5 speed, ext. cab, and is converting it to a 5.2, 5 Speed. The handling is different, of course. Really, for the most part, they are identical to Durango's, with some obvious exceptions.

 

yea I can find the 3.9L all day long, but finding a 5.2L is near impossilbe for a decent price. People want $2K over book just because its winter and they think they have the best rig in the world...But I can understand that after owning the D for a couple of months now.

 

I drive a 2002 Quad Cab Dakota with the 4.7L V8 and 4X4. I have 152,000 on the clock and had the transmission rebuilt at 80,000 miles. The previous owner pulled a fifth wheel camper and I think it put premature stress on the trans. I get an average of 16mpg.

 

Mom had 1996 slt v-6 5speed crew cab, loved it. Got busted showing brother how to shift from 5th to 3rd passing. That was traded for the purple "Amethyst" 98. Nothing but issuses with paint. This was an automatic, mom was tired of shifting. I drove it and hated the new truck. I liked the power the 6 gave with 5 speed the auto sucked--minus 40% power due to trans. Eventually traded for 98 Durango with v-8. Like the 1st gen Durango bod but liked the earlier Dakotas. Four doors were late in the production.

 

Know the feeling.... had the same issue a few months ago... ended up strapping them to the roof

Now, i have access to an ex pickup truck bed that was made into a trailer.. came in handy a few times, in fact i used it today.....

 

I drive a 95 Dakota and 02 Durango and love both but they have their perks. Personally I like my Dakota more though just cause it's a 5.2, less electronic crap, can haul more, and I like the truck look more but the Durango is still nice, just wish it was at least a 5.2.

 

Just did the same thing not too long ago!