Part of Dodge's aim in creating the mid-size Dakota was to give drivers the best of both worlds -- a pickup big enough for carrying lots of cargo, but not too big and unwieldy to drive comfortably. Owners did love the way the Dakota handled and its roomy options, but complained about the relatively weak 3.9-liter engine. They wanted full-size power in a mid-size package.
The Dakota actually was the first mid-size pickup with a V8 back in 1989, with the limited edition Shelby Dakota, but in 1991 Dodge made its own offical V8. The 5.2-liter engine reached 170-horsepower and gave the Dakota the extra pickup (oh yes, very bad pun intended) it needed and drivers craved. In addition to the 3.9-liter, 125-horsepower, the standard 2.5-liter engine got a 17-horsepower boost to 116.
Minor body changes appeared in the 1991 Dodge Dakota, including a retooled grille and bumper. The nose was extended to make room for the bigger engine block. In Sports models a painted grille and a roof bar with lights were added. Club Cabs now had a 4WD option in addition to the standard 2WD.
Besides the reliability and good value for the money, Dakota owners love the solidity of the pickup, particularly that it takes hits and bumps and never flinches. A lot of complaints center around the exterior paint peeling and flaking off.
I have a 91 dakota 2.5 manual drive transmission with blown head beyond repair, but I also have 95 dakota 3.9 automatic transmission which is going out. Would it be possible to take the 3.9 and put in place of the 2.5 making my 4 cylinder a 6 cylinder straight drive, both are 2 wheel drive
Battery drains immediately when key is turned to crank position
So I have recently started to have issues with my 91 Dodge Dakota. It cranks and cranks but will not start when it's below about 70 degrees. I have had the truck for 4 months. In that time I have replaced: spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, pick up coil, battery, fuel pump, fuel filter and had the fuel injection system cleaned with my last oil change. I am at a loss and totally frustrated and just want the truck to start reliably. Please help. What else can I try replacing. I do the whole turn the key for a few seconds before trying I start. I hear the pump click on. Even some warm days I have to do that trick twice and then hold the gas peddle to the floor for the truck to start but in the cold there is no getting it to start.
Does the ECM tell the ignition coil when to fire? I have a steady light on both sides of the coil and it is not firing and no spark ? I run a small shop and work by myself and the customer has replaced a lot of stuff and when i first diagnosed it i thought it was a pick up coil. but that did not work , so i am down to the ECM??
1991 dodg dokota v6 pickup truck why does my headlights turn off an on every second when i drive ???
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheels: steel
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: rear-only
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Paint: two-tone · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: vinyl
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal