My V8 95 Dakota SLT- 187000 miles has been almost trouble free until
recently. Once my fuel hits just below 1/2 tank - it shakes, shutters on acceleration
and now stalls out. Once i fill the tank it runs like new until I hit 1/2 a tank.
My gauge is working since it takes about 10 gallans to fill up at that point.
I just can't fugure out why this happens at or just below 1/2 tank.
Any experience or tech advice?? Long live my dakota - the most reliable I have owned in a V8

 

It is possible that the fuel pump is on it's way out.

 

My wife's car did that......Was a fuel pump prob!...Can't remember specifics though........Good luck

 

could be dirt, water or such in the fuel also.

 

It's hard to say what the problem is without actually working on the vehicle. But it sounds like your fuel pump pick-up tube has a leak in it somewhere. When the fuel level goes down to ~halfway, it will start sucking air into your fuel system. This could cause the exact problems you are describing.

To test, pick up a fuel pressure gauge and hook it up to your fuel rail next time your truck starts acting like that. Take note of the fuel pressure, and any trends (rising/lowering) as your truck stumbles/stalls. If your results indicate an air leak in the pickup tube, you are going to have to drain and drop the tank to repair/replace the fuel pump assembly.