The 4.7 is the small V-8. Mine is an 02, 2WD automatic. I've got 240k on it and have been quite pleased with the truck. It hauls about everything I need it to, and goes around town just fine. I get 17 mph no matter what I'm doing. That's city or highway driving, or pulling a trailer full of firewood.

 

great write up from above, good job ryan.

id def go v8 ...v6s dont get any better gas mileage.

 

thanks ive learned quite a bit from DF since i got my truck 8 months ago

 

I really appreciate all the replys,. I have never owned a small truck, so I know only what I can find via the net. Thanks a bunch Ryan. I have been hitting craigslist daily, and have found many configurations of Dakotas. I have had some replys that are quite confusing, such as this email I got today after asking which engine the dakota had.
Possibly a typo. Then I got an email from a guy that has a 1993, with only 71K miles, nice shape, his sons pickup. He nor his son knew what engine it had, they have owned it for three years. They thought it was a v-8, last contact confirmed a v-8. Sure makes me wonder???

Now that I know the 4.7 is a v-8 I can broaden my search a little.

Thanks aLL!