I bought my first 1988 Dakota and had a new one every three years. Three were V8's and got the best mileage.You don't send a boy to do a man's job.
I also liked the torsion bar suspenion better. My last one(2008 extended cab)
had the stupid fold down rear seat of which I ashamed to ask anyone to sit in. I removed them. Also they kept getting bigger and bigger. I Now have a 2012 Ram with a 5.7. If they come out with a Dakota again I may go back but only if it has some decent power. All mine were 4wd except the 88.
Brush