Tell Me About The Dodge Dakota R/T

[orignalbacon210]

Does anyone have any information or know anything about these trucks? I was looking at getting one and would like to know more about them

Rule#1

I was looking at this one...

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...false


Modified by orignalbacon210 at 6:19 PM 7-5-2009

[JustinCSVT]

It sucks down gas like crazy(old-school 5.9). Was pretty quick when it came out.

[RollingInDubs]

Let's see if I remember my facts right on this truck (It was released when I was in high school)

1. Available in regular and extended cab
2. The only way to stuff the 5.9 into the Dakota without jumping to the quad cab
3. Only came in sport trim and very very few options

Honestly that's pretty much it if I remember right, as there was not much that made that truck an "R/T." It was essentially just the formula of stuffing the biggest motor available into the the lightest variant of the Dakota and calling it a sport truck.

Here is some more precise info from
http://www.dodgedakotart.com/v...id,1/

Quote, originally posted by Dodge Dakota R/T Zone »

The Dodge Dakota R/T went on sale in the spring of 1998 and was produced thru 2003. The R/T features The 5.9-liter (360) Magnum V-8 engine packing 250 horsepower and 345 lb.-ft. of torque. Maximized with a performance-tuned dual inlet stainless steel exhaust system and a heavy-duty electronic four-speed automatic transmission (46RE). Wearing oversized 17-inch wheels and P255/55 R17 tires gives the Dakota R/T a solid, stable footprint, which further enhances handling. The suspension, which was built with a focus on road handling as opposed to load hauling, is lowered to give the R/T a sleek, road-hugging look and feel. The Dakota R/T has front and rear stabilizer bars to control handling, but the rear bar is a beefier 19 mm to minimize body roll in turns during cornering and a limited-slip differential for improved traction and quicker starts. In true street vehicle fashion the Dakota R/T offers a nimble ride, precise handling, stable cornering and an exceptionally responsive power train and still over-delivers on style, capability and comfort but is only offered in a 4X2 configuration. The Dakota R/T's distinctive sport truck styling statement is underscored with a unique exterior package, which includes front and rear color-keyed bumpers and flared fenders to accommodate the vehicle's larger wheels and tires. Dakota R/T was available in two body styles: 4X2 Regular Cab or Club Cab.

Hope this helps!

[SVT2888]

Lots of fun to drive and gobs of torque!

I drove one of these when I was 18. It was sitting on 20" Daytons, with headers and straight pipes and a tune. Spun those heavy ass 20's like they where nothing! It also made some beautiful music!

[sideways89]

1/4 & 0-60 times?

[orignalbacon210]

So is there any mechanical issues with this truck?

Would you buy one with a Kenne Bell supercharger?

This is the one I want...
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...false

[i_baked_cookies]

that torque number is decently impressive, but 250 hp? lolz

[neema_12]

0-60 1/4
2001 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T 6.5 15@91
1999 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T 7.7 16@86 Automatic
1998 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T 7 15.4@89

Compared with others...

04' SSR 15.81@87.55
SRT-10(quad) 15.29@92.06
SRT-10(reg) 14.08@101.64
Silverado SS 16.63@86.23
Lightning 14.68@98.37(2003)

[orignalbacon210]

Those are good times for this truck, with r&p swap and stickier tires I could be looking at low 14's high 13's

[modular]

Looking at the build tag on the door jamb it is showing an original tire size of 225/65/15...I don't think that is a real R/T but just a swap.

Quote, originally posted by orignalbacon210 »

So is there any mechanical issues with this truck? Would you buy one with a Kenne Bell supercharger? This is the one I want... http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...false

[creanium]

Quote, originally posted by modular »

Looking at the build tag on the door jamb it is showing an original tire size of 225/65/15...I don't think that is a real R/T but just a swap.

Nope, not a swap.

http://www.carfax.com/cfm/chec...98927

[TimesNewRoman]

I LOVE that generation Dakota. Though, I am biased - I owned two.

As much as I am in love with roadsters right now, I do miss my second Dakota.

2002 Quad cab with a 4.7 SOHC V8.
Intake, Exhaust, Cams (from the high output Jeep Cherokee Overland edition 4.7), 4.10 Richmond rear end and American Racing wheels. This thing hauled butt in a straight line and probably would give an R/T a good run for it's money. And of course, with all the engine goodies, turned heads everywhere it went. College parking garage was my favorite place to fire her up.

Sorry to thread-jack, but I had to reminisce.

I think it could have used about a 4 inch drop, but damn I loved that thing.

[Maddave10]

When I bought my 99 yellow reg cab r/t, I posed the same question to tcl. I drove it for 2 years and sold it. Still miss riding around in it. The only mods I ever did were different front grills, a roll pan, some audio upgrades, and a spintech side exit exhaust that set off car alarms. The truck had a hard tonnau cover wihen I got it.

An extended cab would be more comfy. The real issue with the truck is the transmission. Its anything but sporty and sucks a ton of power out of the equation. Manual swaps are available, but pricey. Stock wheel zie was 17 by 9, and stock tires were badyear rsa's at a size of 255/55/17.

Its an enjoyable truck with some nice midrange punch that is easily modded, but it will sound faster than it really it and will take some $$$ to really haul. So long as you know what you are getting into I say go for it. In about 20k miles I did nothing but replace tires and front brakes.

[daytonaboogie]

Quote, originally posted by i_baked_cookies »

that torque number is decently impressive, but 250 hp? lolz

thats it my old ass 318 had like 320hp

edit: im dyslexic, its 230hp


Modified by daytonaboogie at 8:30 PM 7-6-2009

[BRealistic]

IIRC- the suspension tuning made these handle quite well (for a truck).

But auto only =

[JustinCSVT]

Quote, originally posted by daytonaboogie »

thats it my old ass 318 had like 320hp

Not while it was stock.

[B3passatBMX]

Buddy of mine had one for a few years with some mods. Mopar ECU, high rise intake manifold, full exhaust and some other suspension stuff. Was a blast to drive except the ECU made the shift points kinda high and sometimes didn't want to shift when driving normal, could have a been a glitch with his truck. Either way, it was fast and sounded awesome. Looked great for a small truck to

[Bains]

Quote, originally posted by BRealistic »

IIRC- the suspension tuning made these handle quite well (for a truck). But auto only =

fun as hell to be in though, my dad had one as a rental back when they came out, jesus christ they were fast... burnout city. Thinking about it now, it's the only vehicle I've ever experienced a burnout in heh

[BRealistic]

Quote, originally posted by Bains »

fun as hell to be in though, my dad had one as a rental back when they came out, jesus christ they were fast... burnout city. Thinking about it now, it's the only vehicle I've ever experienced a burnout in heh

Oh- I seriously considered it at one time. It's a sweet package. But I'm very biased against auto boxes.

And unloaded trucks.... have a light rear end- making it easy to do a burn out.

Seriously.
Case in point: Here is a 112hp/135lb-ft B2300...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Isc6F3-K_w

[Rukh]

I had one briefly - custom ordered it from the factory with a bench seat. Last year made, extended cab, Deep Amethyst (purple), etc. The truck actually wasn't the fastest (or the most torquey) of the sport trucks that were available at the time - I remember a 3-way comparison of the Dakota R/T, TRD Tacoma, and some other contender. But the Dakota sounded the best of the three, and better than many other cars that were available at the time.

It was a good truck, and I wish I had gotten to keep it. I've looked at others through the years, and nearly bitten on a couple; but at the end of the day they weren't MY truck, the one I had ordered.

Not mine, but it looked just like this.

[adrew]

Quote, originally posted by BRealistic »

IIRC- the suspension tuning made these handle quite well (for a truck). But auto only =

You could get the previous-generation (the square one) with the 5.2-liter and stick. I can't find the article, but I remember C/D tested one in the mid-'90s and said it was a hoot.

[daytonaboogie]

Quote, originally posted by JustinCSVT »

Not while it was stock.

your right, im dislexic it was 230hp,
i am such an idiot
everyone feel free to throw stuff at me.

[Oliver@triplezoom]

Quote, originally posted by adrew »

You could get the previous-generation (the square one) with the 5.2-liter and stick. I can't find the article, but I remember C/D tested one in the mid-'90s and said it was a hoot.

The '97+ model was also available in that combo.

[W. Sobchak]

The 5.9 is an amazing engine. Did dodge require premium fuel, I know Jeep did? I had the same 5.9L engine in a 1998 Jeep GC, pulled like crazy and sounded even better. I averaged 12mpg though. Thank god gas was $1.60 a gallon when I had it.

[rpmk4]

these trucks are fun to screw around in. however, everyone i know who has had one past 80k miles is on their second transmission. other than that pretty solid.

[BRealistic]

Quote, originally posted by rpmk4 »

these trucks are fun to screw around in. however, everyone i know who has had one past 80k miles is on their second transmission. other than that pretty solid.

Bump- I just saw a regular cab R/T for sale cheap (bad paint).
Is the transmission really that bad? I figured they would use the same transmission as the big RAM truck with this engine.

Manual swap potential?

[Oliver@triplezoom]

I wonder if the 5.9 mates up with the manual that was offered with the 5.2 and/or 4.7.

[BRealistic]

Quote, originally posted by Oliver@triplezoom »

I wonder if the 5.9 mates up with the manual that was offered with the 5.2 and/or 4.7.

Did they offer the 5.9 with a manual in the RAM?

If that is possible, the a cheap R/T with a bad transmission might be a fun project.

[welderdood]

Quote, originally posted by neema_12 »

0-60 1/4 2001 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T 6.5 15@91 1999 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T 7.7 16@86 Automatic 1998 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T 7 15.4@89 Compared with others... 04' SSR 15.81@87.55 SRT-10(quad) 15.29@92.06 SRT-10(reg) 14.08@101.64 Silverado SS 16.63@86.23 Lightning 14.68@98.37(2003)

You really cannot compare a full sized truck to the Dakota, along with the fact that the Silverado SS is AWD

[x96283]

Nice truck- I had one for close to 5 years...

15.3@89 bone stock
--------------
Martin Saine Valvebody
50mm F&B
Mopar ECU
Mopar M1 intake manifold
GSMotorsports full headers/ 3 in true duals into Spintechs side exit
4.56 gears
295/40/20 all around
Full Hotchkis shocks/ sways set
Tons of cosmetic stuff- Viper seats and elec ragtop etc.

I think my ragtop photo is still on the streetbeat customs webpage... Just checked (http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/doddakrtelra.html)

Ran a 14.7 prior to gears and valvebody (on stock 255/55/17).

Never ran it with all the mods

Great vehicle, but I wanted something smaller.

[rmart01vr6]

hey man i didnt see it here, but check out the dodge forums.....
theres dodgetalk.com, and i believe there is one for dakota owners. you can also check out moe's performance and airram for performance parts. that is a pretty good truck to buy.

[PassSedanGLX]

Did these tow at all? If I remember right, the Dakotas were good for 5,000lbs in V6 trim with a trans cooler and the right gears.

[Demo24]

I saw a couple of these at an Autox at Road Atlanta. Didn't do too badly considering how tight that course is. Course a guy in an STI easily bested then so on the last lap the guy basically just did it dorifto style, was pretty awesome.

[Internal Combustion]

Quote, originally posted by x96283 »

Nice truck- I had one for close to 5 years... 15.3@89 bone stock -------------- Martin Saine Valvebody 50mm F&B Mopar ECU Mopar M1 intake manifold GSMotorsports full headers/ 3 in true duals into Spintechs side exit 4.56 gears 295/40/20 all around Full Hotchkis shocks/ sways set Tons of cosmetic stuff- Viper seats and elec ragtop etc. I think my ragtop photo is still on the streetbeat customs webpage... Just checked (http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/doddakrtelra.html) Ran a 14.7 prior to gears and valvebody (on stock 255/55/17). Never ran it with all the mods Great vehicle, but I wanted something smaller.

I had a Grand Cherokee 5.9 with a F&B 52, Mopar ECU, M1, headers, 3" etc....when it was headers, ported Kegger and FIPK (stock ecu) only, it went 14.3 @ 94 (in 4wd) with a 9.2 @ 73. I put a KRC 210 cam and a 2700 stall, rockers etc but the trans never got the 2-3 shift right. It did 9.0 @ 77.

The 5.9 is old and antiquated, but it makes good sounds. Bolt ons gives you about 300 hp. The limiting factor is the heads. They are a super old design, even with edelbrock aluminum heads and all the goodies, you're looking at 350 rwhp. Can't hold a candle to the LS/LQ motors that Chevy had at the time.

[fknlo]

Quote, originally posted by i_baked_cookies »

that torque number is decently impressive, but 250 hp? lolz

I think stuff like this is one of the reasons that a lot of people look down on anything domestic. You've got this massive 5.9 v8 that's putting down mildly modified 1.8t numbers. You could find stuff like this from the late 90's early 2000's from pretty much all of the big 3. Things have completely changed, but they're still seeing this in their heads.