All,
I have two Dakotas in my garage that are going to be the fall projects.

One is 1988 Dodge Dakota. The other is a 1999 Dodge Dakota. Both are 3.9 L and Autos.

I have little experience with Dakotas and both vehicles were given to me after my father in law passed.

Can any one elaborate on the horsepower and the transmission models?

I have a feeling the 1999 will need a repower soon. I hope to do a leak down/compression test this weekend as well as cooling system pressure test.

My buddy 20 years ago had a Dakota with the same engine (3.9) (actually same color) but I remember it having a decent pulling capacity (it did have multiple timing chain issues from memory) etc. Today I think my 1999 is no where near the same and is missing when firing under load - fairly bad.

Basically the 1999 uses water as well. Nothing in the oil. A hard rev of the engine will also cause it to be a smoker especially when hot (when water gets low typically). Keep in mind I am not doing this to be ridiculous as its never in the hot gauge range.

I can tell you nothing about either vehicle except I doubt either has been tuned in the last 10 years. I believe the 1999, with 227K on it appears to be either original wire set or a damn neat wire set job including wire covers over the wire set etc. (normal?)

I have full ignition tune up kits for both currently. The 1988 is scheduled for this weekend. Once the 1988 is up fully the 1999 will be in the garage and being sorted all out (repower/water pump/?)

Thanks everyone,
Chris

 

All,
I am seeing the below for Spec on the engines online;

1999 Dakota 3.9L - 175 hp @ 4,800 rpm

Engine: 3.9 liter, 6-cylinder engine

• Torque: 225 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm

• Gas mileage: 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway

The 1988 Dodge Dakota 3.9L

• Engine: 3.9 liter, 6-cylinder engine
• Horsepower: 125 horsepower at 4,000 rpm
• Torque: 195 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm
• Fuel economy: 16 combined city/highway MPG, 15 city, 19 highway

Transmissions are both Autos neither are 4 wheel drives and are 2WD. I believe the 1999 is a 4 speed but I will have to verify.

I believe the .1999 is a 42RE.

On the 1988 I am not sure if it 3 or 4 speed...going to have to look at the Gear selector to see.

But it will be 3-speed A998 automatic I believe or the 4-speed A500.

Isn't the A500 the same as the 42RE?

Just trying to get my "bearings" on the situation for parts etc.

Thanks everyone,
Chris

 

A500 and 42RH are the same thing.

The H designates hydraulically controlled. E is electronically controlled. They change from H to E in 96, along with OBDII.

 

Thanks for the info!

Chris