The original Dodge Dakota (Sioux for friend) was a mid size pickup truck, less than half ton, launched in 1987, an upgraded second generation was launched in 1991.

The third generation Dakota’s were launched in in 1997 drawing heavily on the big rig look of the full size Dodge Ram styling first seen in 1994.

In 1998 a sports orientated R/T version of the Dakota was announced with a 250hp 5.9 litre / 360 cui Magnum V8 which was coupled with a heavy duty 46RE 4 speed automatic transmission. Additional R/T goodies included performance axle, cast aluminum wheels, limited slip differential, sport suspension and steering, uprated brakes, performance exhaust, monotone paint and bucket seats in the cab.

In 2000, the year the vehicle seen here at Shakespeare County Raceway was built, the Dodge Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award coming in second. The 4th generation Ram Dakota was launched in 2009 and the model was subsequently completely discontinued in 2011.

Thanks for joining me on this “Third Generation Friend” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !