Feel free to add comments with any important info that I didn't cover. Let's make this a great, helpful tool for dakota owners and potential buyers!

Quite possibly the most indestructible motor vehicle EVER made in America!

I've had 5 of these 1st gens right now I'm driving a 96 SPORT 5.2 5 SPEED 4X4 I've had horrible luck with dodge automatic transmissions so I only buy manuals.

A little note on the towing of these trucks: yours is an identical spec to my 94 and its rated for 6500 for the 4wd 5.2. 5500 for the v6 (these numbers are all for the magnums) and 2700 for the 4 cylinder (wouldnt recommend that tho). 2wd trucks are rated 300 pounds higher for each motor than the 4 wheel drive. Cab size and bed size do not matter. Im not sure about towing ratings on pre 92 trucks though i just know what ours is.

Love mine ! Purchased a rotted 87 single cab long bed in 13 .replaced everything except frame,doors and rear bumper . Paid 285.00 for a 87 la 318 . Been daily driver since . 2022 and still going .

Thanks so much for the video! Great level of detail. Currently eyeing a very nice looking '93 with under 200k on it; this video is just what I need to get an idea of what it would be like.

Dad purchased our '96 3.9L five-speed 4X4 Sport model new (special order) from the dealer and it is mine now (290,000 miles). Good truck which shares the common problems mentioned in video: had to replace both doors (hinge welds cracked), rebuilt computer control twice (had to eventually add a separate old-school voltage regulator), just replaced the a/c-heater fan resistor, access to oil filter is super-difficult, headliner fell out, tachometer is on the blink, the thermometer in the overhead console is accurate only some of the time, center caps for the styled steel wheels are plastic and crack/fall off, plastic trim around inside door handle fell off, electric door locks quit, seam around the radiator cap split open and caused small leak, one of the fog lamps fell off (no longer available for purchase anywhere), tail gate is hard to latch on passenger side, trip odometer won't reset any longer, headlamp transparent covers became super yellow (had to replace them), power switch for cruise control would not shut off the mini green light so I dis-abled it, (don't use cruise anyway), ten years after having the windshield replaced, the roof sheet metal immediately above the windshield is beginning to rust away now, passenger side carpet was wet (it was the fault of the a/c drain that leads out to the firewall), seat belt plastic covers broke off. Then maintenance items have been replaced as needed: brakes, clutch, water pump, electric fuel pump. The frame has surface rust and the clear coat on the body finish is peeling off now. The A/C and factory radio still work fine and the truck continues to serve me as a daily driver. Oh, plastic crank position sensor cracked and needed replacing. And had to replace headlamp halogen bulb plastic harness plug that melted and the wiper bushings. One more comment: with the five-speed transmission it was a must that my parking brake function properly. Well, the parking brake began releasing itself (the little pedal just suddenly popping up into the release position without notice)! I had to replace all the pedal parts that I gathered from a local recycler/wrecker.

I'm so glad you made this video I wish you would have made it 5 months ago when I purchased a used 1990 with a V6. I'm in California it was non-op needed to be smogged and was leaking at the tank, thank God for crazy glue! California smog laws are very harsh! While I had the bed off I went ahead and painted the frame.

The fuel pump float that reads your gas level usually is burned which results in a new fuel pump or every 280 miles to refill on a 22 gallon tank. My 96 dakota had this issue when I got it as my first vehicle

thank you so much for all of this information. i just bought a truck with no mechanic experience. i hope i can keep it running for another year.

I converted all lights from the instrument lights in the gauge cluster & all interior lights to all the exterior lights ther is not one incandescent bulb left on truck and it solved my light switch issue from every 2 to 3 years needing replacing to going on 10 years and its still going

My frame is so rusted, in order to prepare for Ohio’s winter I got under it with an old flathead screwdriver and a hammer and chipped off probably 10 lbs of rust so I could undercoat it. It took me 3 weekends. In the process I inadvertently opened up some new “drain holes” in the frame. Can’t wait to get an air compressor and hit it with a needle scaler this summer.

Keep it up just baught a 93 le with a 318 love my truck

I have owned 4 Dodge Dakota's over the years, still have 2 of them. All had V6 in them. Fairly easy to work on.

I’ve been eyeing this 87 with the v6 and it only has 60k miles. Thanks for the advice I think I’m going to pull the trigger

I see a ton of things thrown around as "common" failures. Oil pressure sending unit, yes, they fail and leak. Things like IAC,TPS,ECM, thats age, not a common failure though. Water pumps only become common after the original fails, crap parts and all that... The thing that made the dakota the best in its class though, it was a small truck that was every bit as capable as the full size half tons ofthe time, and shared a ton of suspension parts with '72-'93 fullsize trucks.

Could not help but laugh with my husband through this whole video. 😂 Our ‘89 has 90% of these same issues. I have been able to recondition a lot of parts off it to keep certain things working but it definitely needs an IAC valve and a blower motor switch. Right before the Christmas deep freeze that swept the nation I replaced the blower motor resistor, only for the heat to quit again the day before the temp dropped 50 degrees! I froze my way to work and home for 2 days with my visibility in the hands of a $10 cigarette lighter heater from Harbor Freight. I had to pull out the radio in order to get the switch out so I popped the radio open too just to see what I could do. I have the switch positioned in a place it will work now and I also got the radio working! I’m hoping to get bluetooth one day but radio sure beats road noise! 😂

Yes sir I have some info on these trucks as well. I own a 1992 LE with the 3.9 l . I'm still learning different things about it everyday. I will definitely help anyone I can when it comes to figuring out anything with the truck. I'll be removing the clutch fan and adding a 3000 cfm auto fan and switch. System and big 3 upgrade already done. I'll be adding a backup camera soon.

I really appreciate this video man. I’m trying to buy my first truck and I’m currently looking at an old 92 with just over 200k on it. This really helped me understand what to look for when I go to look at the truck this weekend. I couldn’t find any other good ones so thanks a lot!!

Thank you for the video. I'm looking to buy one across the pond in Greece. We got some 4X4 V6s of these here.

I had a 1995 dak with a 3.9 v6, probably best vehicle ever owned. Replace one fuel injector and a fuel pump on it and that was it. Was a true work horse

Parts availability is hit or miss. On my 87, we had to rebuild the turn signal switch, because they are no longer manufactured. Also, upper control arms are no longer made for the 4x4 models, so you need to search for a donor Dakota in a wrecking yard...probably a southern, non rust belt truck. 87s are a unicorn because that is the only year with a carb and mechanical fuel pump. 88s went to TBI and I believe that is the first year with a four speed automatic. Oil pressure sending units frequently fail on these....you might get a warning light or low readings on oil pressure gauge. Also I had to cross reference mine with a Dodge Diplomat of all things to find one that would fit. Other than the paint issues, peeling and delamination, they are a pretty sturdy truck.

I love my 3.9 v6 93 dodge Dakota! It was my dream to own a magnum.dream came true.

very informative thanks for the great video on dakotas

I absolutely love my '92. Simple, easy to work on, mine sat for many years and has 150k so reliability has been on the fence, but otherwise great. My favorite vehicle I've owned

If you replace the exhaust manifolds you need to know what you are doing or take it to a professional muffler/exhaust shop. Some of the studs on the magnum engines extend into the coolant channels. Often times if you find a magnum with a permanent coolant leak that is the issue. Someone broke the studs. Drilled them out and had no clue they just busted through the coolant channel.

Nice truck. I got one it's a 1993 dogde dakota with the 5.2 LT V8

Just picked up an 87 Dakota a couple days ago. Needs a patch on frame and a brake line. Not bad at all. Hopefully they are good trucks

I have a 93 dokota sport 3.9 ltr automatic and only problem I've had with this truck so far is my steering column everything else is good

love that fb group

Had a 318 '93 2wd was fun. Injectors needed cleaning, intake gasket leak, dynomax cat back. Sold at 90k miles with all maintenance up to date. At 140k guy I sold it to said OD went out in tranny.

Lots of information, thanks

I’m buying a 96 dakota sport 4x4 which needs very minor work which is mostly done but will be 100% this weekend

To Dakota for sure ❤ I have a 2000 SLT Reg Cab automatic two wheel drive just now over 74,000 miles old Illinois Farm Truck. Ultra Reliable! They will run Forever just change your oil.

I have a 1996 dodge dakota club cab slt I use it for a work truck... trying to get it a good paint job on it I got a campershell toolboxes on each side going to paint it and truck soon

If the PCV goes bad, throw it away and put a filter on there. Never need to worry about it again lol

Intake manifold lower pan will get a vacuum leak into the crank case and cause burning oil. And a lot get diagnosed as worn out motor. But it not to bad to fix.

:-) THANK YOU and yaa seat belt n door hinges and blower resister ... they all leak water too, still I' love my 95 and 94 4x4 dakota , never let me down so far * :-)

1993 ram 1500 checking in. 10/10

My grandpa had either a 90 or 91 Dakota and he loved it I wish I could’ve got it but my cousin got it cause he actually had a license I think I was only 10 when he passed

Crazy I've never had one water pump problem in the 6 years I've owned my 00 dak ......I hope you've replaced that fan shroud

Have a 93 dakota LE. Love it. Problems ive had/have: headlights would not come on, had to wire my own switch. Cruise control quit working, gas gauge never worked. Prior owner switched out odometer so it reads 70k now but you can tell its more.

I just bought a '96 V8 4X4 with 62,000 original miles! faint noise when putting into reverse but other than that runs amazing!. any suggestions?

Nice they already replaced the blower resistor. Good to see. Almost burned my truck down with mine

i got a 89 3.9 v6 for $250 last year and had 176k on it and blow the head gasket after owning it for 2 months havent had the best luck with mine

My truck hates to idle for a long period of time. The oil light comes on and the engine slowly tries to die down. Also the truck will idle at about 350-450 rpms. Also the temperature will not go past 50⁰ in the winter.

So I'm looking at buying one at auction. Does your transfer case shifter have a Neutral? I want to tow it behind our motorhome! Thanks!

Pull the wiring harness junction off the fire wall and stuff it absolutely full of grease. That connection likes to corrode and trip the fusible links in your wiring harness. Makes you think you fried the truck.

1997-2004 is 2nd Gen i own a 97 2nd gen club cab an my buddy owns a 96 single cab Dakota 1st gen both seem like decent trucks works easy to do yourself they look so different to be a year apart but motor an transmission is basically exactly the same performance is better on my 2nd gen i just think that's because it was treated better

They also temporarily made an rt model with the 360 cubic inch model. (Or a 5.9L V8)

I’m in east TN too, I have a 92 LE 3.6L V6 RWD. I’ve replaced the water pump, fuel pump (fuel gauge doesn’t work now), serpentine belt, radiator and hoses, thermostat, blower motor and resistor, and the wiper knurls stripped and found some on a junker. There’s a ground somewhere draining the battery when parked. So I’ve had issues with probably over half of the things you mentioned. I’m recovering my headliner, visors and the fabric on the door panel inserts now. If anyone knows where I can buy just a center rear sliding window with latch or a stationary rear glass please comment. I’m going to join the FB group in the description. I look forward to seeing what you do with yours.

Yep u got a 1st Gen and a nice one

Transmission is slipping it sat for 8 years I checked fluids n looked fine not burnt drove fine but couple days later when I got in it ,drove it for 30 minutes n transmission started slipping bad what u think . people say it's commend for these truck sorry it's a 96 Dakota 318 4x4 ?

I don't get why they welded the hinge to the door I wish it was bolted and I had a problem with my passenger door lower hinge mine happened when the passenger door was cracked open and my dad moved my truck and hit a hole but just now my handle broke on the inside so I'm going to buy new parts and change it out

I have a nineteen eighty nine dodge dakota convertible for sale very beautiful truck

Thinking about buying a 1989 Dakota from a coworker. Paint is still somewhat good. Zero rust and sitting at about 70k miles. She kept up with the maintenance very well. Looking forward to test driving it and see what it looks like under the hood

Have a 93 with 528,000 on it magnum and a 96 with 318 in it 180,000 both extended cab

( I have a 93 , it's real good truck, !)

I have a 94 dodge dakota slt 4x4 v6 magnum

I wonder. I have a 1990 Is it easy to swap the first generation front grill & head lights for the newer look that the 1991 to 1996 has

I have a 1992 dodge Dakota 5.2 2wd I'm looking for a steering shaft do you have any idea what part number will work?

I want to sandblast my chassis and put paint on it

What did u call the exhaust? I like how that sounded

Mine looks just like that

He should knock off that rust. Treat it. I seen a product made for the old VW's that when applied, It changes the rust back to a strong solid state. But you got to get as much as possible off. Very cool stuff. Maybe put under coat after that.

I just bought an 1990 model and the issue is that the transmission slips when the oil is cold at the morning i don't know why.

So you’re basically saying no part last forever?

so the computer doesn't wear out, I own a 93 v6, with over 332k on it all original, it's the main power wire under the fuse box that get corroded and it will eventually corrode in half, mine has been in my family 20 years, still original r12 ac system, if y'all don't believe me it has r12 I will post a picture, this truck has not ever had any problems but normal wear and tear, it still has approximately 110 psi in the cylinders, and my timing chain is still good, it has been very well taken care of also, so before ya go with a computer replacement or anything else shoot me a message or comment here, I might be able to help someone out on it

I need new control arms. If anyone has any leads please let me know. My 1996 dakota needs them. 318 v8 4x4. I'm having a very hard time finding these. Also I have almost every issue you have lol. But I love these trucks so fucking much

It looks like a F-150 jr.

You are wrong that is the second generation because the first generation had a square front end in 1987 so yours is the second generation. But I do like that generation.

How tall are you?

can I get a link on your exhaust

What are you trying to say my name in real life IS DAKOTA

Years ago in the 90’s I had a 95 Dakota Sport with the 4 cylinder. Total piece of crap! I bought it in 97 with only 32k on it. Radiator went 3 days after I took it home. AC compressor went bad at only 40,000 miles! It was the worst truck I’ve ever owned in my life! Since totaling it in 2001 I’ve driven only Fords. Until recently I have not even wanted another Dodge product.

They are rust buckets

No sir what you have is a second generation

That’s not a first gen Dakota that’s a second gen

A lot of your issues are just caused by ignorance of the vehicle…

facts, everyone who started watching this video exited it by about the 2-minute mark when it was obvious you were just going to ramble and talk everyone's that you're off about nothing. guarantee you 90% of the clicks did not even make it that far. This is basic stuff and absolutely no one wants to hear you Ramble On for 47 minutes as you intermittently say I don't know anything about these trucks. light that thing on fire and get a new job

Lmao man that’s a second generation

Hell yey no cheap ass cable

I have a 93 Dakota LE 5.2 ltr I’ve had since 2001 my grandpa bought it new and ya I have to replace the whole front end and dont be spinning mad donuts because you’ll blow you orbital gears every time in the rear, I have the same door problem lol