ok, so i'm a member of a lotta different dakota sites... but my question is with the genereations...

first gen ran from 87-90 i believe

2nd gen started off because of the change from LA to Magnum based engines and the front styling changed and ran untill 96.

3rd gen was 97-04 with the smoother body style. engines stayed magnum based but shared a trait with the gen2 (96 specifically) was they they were OBD2.

and so far i've only seen classifications of 05+ for the newer models. but technically i believe that the 08+ models are acutally 5th gen.

reason being... dodge changed the bodystyle again to try and get the same responce that the 3rd gen had.. with the smoother moldings and all that.

now i'm not tryin to flame the site for it or anything, but i was just wondering why the classes were broken down as they are

 

Well the 1st gen is 87-96. Yes the Grill and head lights did change. Yes the engine did change. Same exact frame, body, fenders. Some do label it differently but that is the way it should be.

The 2nd Generation is 1997- 2004

And 3rd Generation is 2005+

I am not familiar with all the changes above 2005 but I know that there is talk about another gen above that and all.

My best advice if you really want to know what makes it the next Generation, is to check out www.allpar.com . That website has all you need.

 

IMO I consider the 87-90 and 91-96 as 2 separate generations. Rangers also had changes between 83-88/89-92 and some parts (including the cab, bed,frame) were the same and they are considered two separate generations..