Despite the introduction of a new generation of the popular mid-size pickup, not much had changed for the 1997 Dodge Dakota. Its look was slightly more muscular, taking its cues from the successful Dodge Ram. But underneath the big rig-like exterior, it was really the same old Dakota drivers knew and loved.
Dropping the WS trim, the 1997 Dakota came now in base, Sport, or SLT models. The three wheelbase options remained unchanged (112-inch, 124-inch, and the Club Cab's 131-inch) as did the engines -- the 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder, 120-hp, the 3.9-liter 175-hp, V6, and the 5.2-liter V8 Magnum, which returned to its former 230-horsepower. 2WD, rear anti-lock brakes, and 5-speed manual came standard, with 4WD, 4-wheel ABS, and 4-speed automatic optional.
A new addition for 1997 was dual front airbags, reinforcing the Dodge Dakota's lead in safety. Inside, the dash got an update, but still looked plastic and cheap. The cab comfortably fit three up front with standard bench seats. Optional bucket seats made room for a well-designed center console with extra storage compartments. The rear bench seat was still basically unfit for humans over the age of ten or over the size of Mini-Me and was hard to access with only the two doors, but it did provide extra storage beneath the seats.
Aside from the poor gas mileage, uncomfortable rear seats, and wide turn radius, most drivers praise the Dodge Dakota's handling and hauling capabilities. The other big selling point is the cab's roominess and driving comfort. Reviews mention the excellent braking response and relatively quiet interior.
I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 that has Roll bars brush guard and kc lights with the dodge insignia on them. Im just wondering how many of these trucks were made considering Ive never seen one before and when i looked it up only one popped up? Pic added is the screenshot of the EXACT DESIGN just doesnt have the sport 4x4 on the side of it
1997 Dodge Dakota will crank but no start. I have changed a plethora of parts including... - fuel pump - plugs and wires - distributor cap and rotor - ignition coil - catalytic converter - battery - battery terminals - not related but power steering pump, serpentine belt, transmission pan gasket and filter and oil and oil filter and air intake filter change completed... I am at my wits end with this vehicle, but it belongs to my daughter and she is attached... if anyone can help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Again, it will crank, but not start, and if I floor the accelerator it will sputter a little bit. Everytime I replace a part the truck will run for a day or two and then quit. After it stopped working the last time I replaced the distributor cap, rotor, and the ignition coil and now it won't start at all.
FBIGIRL (MEANS "FROM BIG ISLAND" OF HAWAII). PLEASE CAN I GET AN ANSWER! I HAVE A 1997 DODGE DAKOTA 4X4 3.9L I NEED TO ORDER NEW BRAKE SHOES, BUT I NEED TO KNOW THE REAR BRAKE DRUM SIZE! MAHALOS & ALOHA!
Got a 1997 dodge Dakota that we just replaced the gasket around the water pump cause it was leaking fluid but the water pump was fine looked brand new was replaced in 2017. Truck ran fine a few days still slow fluid leak cant find where it's coming from. This morning it fired up went 500 ft and shut off completely. Battery is 2 years old and still had power. After waiting a few minutes, it started back up so could get it back home and parked. Where should I start to find the problem?
I am trying to install an aftermarket radio in my 97 Dakota and I can't seem to find power coming out of the wiring harness
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: chrome
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: chrome
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Skid plate(s): front and rear
Seats
Front seat type: bench · Upholstery: cloth
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: chrome
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: chrome · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Skid plate(s): front and rear
Seats
Front seat type: split-bench · Upholstery: cloth
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Airbags
Dual front airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Infinity · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: keyless entry · Steering wheel: tilt-only
Exterior Features
Front bumper color: chrome · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: chrome · Skid plate(s): front and rear
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: electrochromic
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Truck Features
Pickup truck sliding rear window: manual horizontal
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent