Hello everyone, brand new to the thread. I came across this bad boy and wanted some experienced opinions. I am not a gear head, but all of the goodies added to this mint 1997 R/T sounds amazing. I just wanted to know if you all think the price is right for the year, miles and added goodies?

Thank you for taking the time to help a "newbie" out!

 

First off, is it REALLY an R/T or did someone modify the truck and while they were painting it, put R/T decals on it? I'm pretty sure someone here will be able to tell you where to look on the data plate or sheet to find the code for the R/T package.

 

Why does it say 5.2L on the photo and 5.9L in the text?

As to the price, who can say? Who did the engine? Who did the modifications? What do you plan to do with the truck? Me, I'd rather start from scratch than deal with someone else's vision of what the truck should/could be.

I'd pass.

Just my opinion.

 

I sent the seller an email. I'm wondering if that is just a typo. They didn't make a 5.2L V8, there was no such thing. Waiting for the response!

 

That's an imposter. Ran the VIN and this is how it came... sorry bout some of the formatting. The actual PDF is attached at the bottom.

Equipment Listing
VIN 1B7FL26Y4VS173980
Vehicle Description 1997 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP
Monotone Paint
117 Amp Alternator
600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
Next Generation Front Air Bags**
Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
Tinted Glass Windows
Tinted Windshield Glass
Front Door Tinted Glass
Rear View Day/Night Mirror
5 X 7 Mirrors
120 MPH Primary Speedometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Cigar Lighter
DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE
DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE
Halogen Headlamps
CHMSL Lamp
Body Color/Black Front Fascia
Body Color/Black Rear Bumper
Black Windshield Moldings
EVAP Control System
Magenta Clear Coat
AM/FM Cassette Radio
Power Rack and Pinion Steering Luxury Steering Wheel Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers Front Stabilizer Bar Full Size Spare Tire Tire Carrier Winch Pickup Box Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications GVW/Payload Rating U.S. Dealer Retail Zone 31-Boston DH-Vehicle Family P2-Vehicle Family Maine State Code Maine State Code Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE Sport Group DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE 10x2.5 Rear Drum Brakes 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket Front Seat Area Carpet All Manual Transmissions 5-Speed HD Manual Transmission 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT 2 06/02/22 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle All Engines 5.2L V8 MPI Engine Rear Sliding Window Left Manual Mirror Right Manual Mirror All Vehicles W/O Power Mirrors Air Conditioning Instrument Cluster w/Tach DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE Shift Indicator Warning Lamp Front License Plate Bracket Grille-Body Color Body Color Fascias Federal Emissions 52 & 28.5 Gallon Dual Fuel Tanks Magenta Clear Coat All Radio Equipped Vehicles 4 Speakers Fixed Long Mast Antenna 215/65R16 LBL All Season Tires Goodyear Brand Tires 15X7.0 Aluminum 5-Spoke Wheels 5 Additional Gallons of Gas Spring - Left Front Spring - Left Rear Spring - Right Front Spring - Right Rear Customer Preferred Package 2TB 3 06/02/22 * * * * Customer Preferred Package 25B Manual Trans Bonus Discount Customer Preferred Discount Sold Vehicle

 

Yep, that's a clone. The OP would be better off building a truck like he wants. Cheaper too. What frosts my buns is someone selling it as a genuine article, when it isn't.

 

Are the 5.9's even that much rarer than the 5.2's? I always assumed they pushed fairly equal amounts of both out considering how much the two engines share.

 

please forgive me, but I had no clue they made 5.2L….?

so they’re trying to sell it as a 5.9 but it’s really a 5.2.. I mean, that’s low…

 

The 5.2L is a 318. The 5.9 is a 360. They are based off the same block and use all of the same components except the balancing and bore are different. They could have swapped the engine. Unfortunatelyit would be very hard to tell if its a 5.2 or a 5.9.

 

Usually, displacement is marked on the side of the block somewhere.

The truck originally came from the factory with the 5.2, but, the ad states it is a 408, so, the engine has been swapped. So far as I know, the "Real" R/T trucks only came with a 5.9, so, yeah, that's a clone. One other thing that REALLY confused me on the build sheet was:

52 & 28.5 Gallon Dual Fuel Tank

Really? This thing carries more than 80 gallons of fuel???? Somehow, I really don't think so.