Technically I would have to say this is a "rumor", but it's a fairly detailed "rumor", and the vibes within the DCX world are getting stronger. So here is the nasty little "rumor".

It seems DCX is fixing to unveil a Dakota SRT-8 at one of the upcoming auto shows, probably Chicago. This "rumor" states that the new truck will sport the 6.1 425 HP HEMI right out of the other SRT-8 vehicles. It will most likely be just a club cab to start, with a quad cab to follow. A 5spd automatic is the "rumor" so far, but a 6spd manual may follow. The truck would be lowered, have 20" wheels with high grade performance rubber. It would have a sport tuned suspension (duh!). An aggressive looking body kit is expected, along with a factory toneu cover, and maybe a small spoiler.

As far as pictures go, I have not seen so much as a concept sketch yet.

Ok, everyone, start holding your breath........

 

It'll never happen....especially the SRT-8 motor. For one, Dodge and Dumler, to steal a phrase, have been feeding us the b.s. for years that the Hemi wont fit in the Dakota. Now you're gonna toss in that 6.1L behemoth? Before you even give us a base 5.7L Hemi?

Not to mention they wont even do a SRT-8 Hemi Ram? That's just stupid....and it sounds like they are really trying to cheapen the whole Dodge Dakota R/T even more then it already is.

 

well they aren't doing an SRT-8 ram because there's no point, the 6.1 really isn't much cheaper than the 8.3, you may save 1-2k which is a drop in the bucket when you're talking a 50k vehicle and it would be a decent amount slower.

personaly I still think it's total BS about the 5.7 not fitting, the only real reason I can think of why they won't do it is because there aren't enough 5.7's to go around still.

 

There won't likely ever be a SRT-8 Ram because it would compete too closely with the SRT-10 version.

There is no good reason why the 5.7 won't fit in the DAK. The 4.7 uses the same basic block, and it's already in there.

The reason for no 5.7 in the DAK, IMO, is that it would step on the Ram 1500's toes, but when you are talking about a 2WD performance oriented little brother to the SRT-10, there is no conflict there.

 

The reason the 5.7 does not fit is because of motor mount, and suspension issues. They are trying to make every 5.7 the same for production reasons. Thus a 300 5.7 is the exact same as the ram 5.7 minus intake. The 5.7 is more mass produced so they are trying to keep it simple. The 6.1 going into the daks is heavily modified. It will not be the same 6.1 that goes into the 300 or charger. Its just a matter of economics. If your going to do a custom engine for low production numbers, then use a low production engine. Don't hold up the bread and butter line.

Joe

 

That's exactyl why I belive that the 6.1 would be more viable. Economics is not such an issue on a "Toy".

 

6.1L and 5.7L HEMI® have the same size blocks. Both the 5.7L and 4.7L blocks fit in the same frame on the Ram, so it would only be a matter of fabricating a motor mount to make it fit in the Dakota. I would look elsewhere for your reasons as to why this vehicle is not offered.

 

Your logic here is that because a size 9 can fit into a size ten(4.7 into a ram), then a size ten(5.7 into a dak) should fit in a size 9. Dosen't quite work that way.

Joe

 

There is a guy who is installing a 6.1 into his 05 dak, calling it an SRT-8. Here's the link to the site of the guy who is installing it.

Please don't post links to other forums. Thanks

I haven't heard much about it, so I don't know if it's finished or not. It's been over a month since the project started.

 

I should just let this drop, but . . . Look as the size of the 2004+ Durango frame and engine compartment. Take out your tape measure, and see what you have, then look at the Dakota size, what does that tell you? <--rhetorical question, don't bother answering.