Hey gang,
Here's a weird one:

I thought my Dakota was a base model but I just checked out a VIN plate decoder and I'm lead to believe that it could actually be a Sport/SLT.
There were a few tell-tale signs in/on my truck that lead me to checking out a VIN decoder.
1. It appears that my Dakota may have had a ceiling compartment at one time, before I bought it.
2. Most of my interior is charcoal grey - the ceiling liner doesn't appear to be original with my truck and doesn't match-up with anything else.
3. I have Alloy wheels
4. I have a split bench seat.

But, I do not have a third light cargo on the brake light behind the upper part of the cab.

Here's (most of) my VIN:
1 - USA
B - Dodge
7 - Truck
G - 5001-6000 lbs (2268-2721 kg)
G - Dakota, Dakota/Sport, Dakota 4x4
2 - Dakota/Sport/SLT
2 - (2 wasn't listed)
X - 3.9L 6 Cyl. (EHC)
0 - Check Digit
W - 1998
S - Dodge City

I'd be pretty sweet if it was a Sport/SLT but I wanted to bounce this off you guys first before I get all giddy.

Thoughts?

 

Do you have door pockets??

Honestly, it could be the base model or it could be the sport.

The differences between the two are minimal and none that cannot be done within 2 hours and less than $500. I personally don't notice much of a difference. The only thing handy I fine is the door pockets since I stuff most of my crap in there.

Cheers!!

 

Funny thing is in my year model 97' the Sport came with painted matching front and rear bumpers on my SLT it came with the "Chrome" packages that is uber ugly IMO; Chrome for the bumper and the plastic inserts on it were light Grey.. the front bumper was chrome and the plastic part Grey..


UGLY! I prefer the painted to match look myself. since i got re-ended I put a steal bumper and painted it black on the rear it looks very nice up against my Army/Forrest Green truck.. Now I want to do the same thing in the front and get rid of this chrome bumper.

 

I do have pocket doors also.

 

The truck was originally back but I don't know if the bumpers were chrome or not since it was already re-painted before I bought it. As of right now the body and bumpers are black.
Considering the quality (lack-there-of) of the paint job, I couldn't imagine the painters going through the trouble of prepping chrome bumpers since they hardly seemed to mask anything when they shot the primer coat. I'm still scraping primer off my windows and side-views.

I wish there was a way that I could get a definite answer - I'm so damn curious to know.

 

Here is the easiest way to find out everything about your truck. Give them your email and they will send you your build sheet in a day or so

http://www.dodge.com/wccsapp/univers...ull&category=R

 

I'll give that a shot. Thanks dodgeramguy85!

 

Yup.. Calling the dealer and they can tell you exactly what it is..

 

Looks like it's a Sport!
This is what I got back from Chrysler:

VIN 1B7GG22X0WS......
Vehicle Description DODGE DAKOTA SPORT 4X4 P/U CLUB CAB
Model Year 1998
Body Model AN 5 L 31

Sales Code ---- Description
*V9 Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
-C3 Mist Gray
ADL Skid Plate Group
AGGP Sport Group
APAS Monotone Paint
A02P 3.9L ENG(EHC)/4SPD AUTO(DGK)
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKPP 10x2.5 Rear Drum Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CBVP Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket
CCAS Under Seat Lighting
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CGZS Passenger Air Bag On/Off Switch
CKES Front Seat Area Carpet
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
DGKS 4-Spd. Automatic 42RE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHJS Shift-on-the-Fly, 231 Transfer Case
DJLS 175MM Front Axle
DMHP 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EHC 3.9L V6 SMPI Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNDP Driver Side Sun Visor
GNEP Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GRUP Left Manual Mirror
GSUP Right Manual Mirror
GTUS 5 X 7 Mirrors
HAA Air Conditioning
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
KNRS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KRRS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KSRP FLAME RED - SPORT DECAL
KTRS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
LMBS Halogen Headlamps
LNJ Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBAS Painted Front Bumper
MBDS Argent Rear Bumper
MDA Front License Plate Bracket
MFNP Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MLAP Body Color Fascias
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFBP 22 Gallon Fuel Tank
PX8 Black Clear Coat
RASS AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCDS Luxury Steering Wheel
SDBS Heavy Duty Suspension
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SUA Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMS Tire Carrier Winch
TS2P P235/75R15XL OWL All Season Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJ1P 15X7.0 Aluminum 5-Spoke Wheels
XBSS Pickup Box
XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
XEFP Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
YEP Manuf Statement of Origin

All this time I thought I had a base model - SCORE!

 

Yeah thats the one thing i like about the sports over some of the SLT's was the painted matching bumpers.. IDK why my SLT came with the grey covers and not matching the paint.. looks so stupid..