1987 Dodge Dakota | Retro Review
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- čas přidán 27. 10. 2021
- The Dakota was a stout offering with an equally beefy warranty. I wish downsized trucks still ruled the market.
Show 611 | Originally Taped 01-27-1987
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Miss the old square american pickups! Great and beatiful vehicles!
Yes
Better styling then today
Ford Maverick about this size & Hybrid cvt is Electric motors 40mpg city 38 Highway
@@derekintrovert5619 The only Ford Maverick that exists is the 70's-80's sport coupe. This new one is just a globalist transport with a Ford Badge on the grill.
@@pauloararaquara the old chevy LUV was a captive import, so was the ford courier that came before the ranger. This globalism that yoh seem to fear has produced plenty of great cars.
My first truck was a silver 87 Dakota.
I put 764,000 miles on it.
I loved that truck.
Holy smokes 😱
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I have a restored 88 Dakota LE V6 5 speed. I love it
I put 2.6 million miles on mine, in 4 years.
@@bikes7777 gimme a break
My grandparents had a 1989 Dakota V6 extended cab, with over 400,000 miles. The 1st Gen was very reliable!
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I still own one! So durable
I had a '96 reg. Cab V6 auto. I loved that truck, wish I didn't sell it.
That would’ve been a 1990 or newer the 89 didn’t have an extended cab
@@brandonsvlog8533 it very well may have been. They bought it in 1989 though.
lol I still have mine, 1988 with the fuel injected version of the L.A. V6 and a 5 speed manual trans with 4 wheel drive and a 8ft bed. Sucker was the tippy top trim level back then so It came with chrome everything and air conditioning, black paint with a red interior. Currently has over 400,000 miles on the original engine and transmission, with 3.51 gears I average 22mpg on 2 lane country roads out in the mountains of the north. The truck currently has 32 years of winter in the rust belt on its record and is still rock solid ( The dam thing draws more attention at the gas stations than my fire engine red Camaro does) Although I should note for the last 3 years I've used Fluid Film and now PB Blaster Surface Shield to essentially freeze the truck in time. I've driven it 365 days a year for the last 10 years through every storm possible ( for fun ) because I know its the one vehicle I own that will ALWAYS make it, and never need a tow truck. Usually it ends up playing the role of the tow truck when other vehicles get stuck or crash off the road. The old Dakota happily chugs along dragging cars out at idle.
My neighbor has the square front-end with a 318 V8 Magnum. Still going strong
A midsize single cab that you can get with a full size bed? Take me back
Cannot even GET a single cab now..... all that 4 door Quad Cab sedan-like horseshit.
This is so nostalgic. My dad had one of these when I was a kid. A 1990 model. I loved riding in the truck bed. I dont think we're legally allowed to do that anymore lol
Me and my brothers grew up in back of a truck throughout the 80s. I was in two car accidents while riding in back of a truck as a kid. Lol
I've done that before. As recent as 2012, actually.
I own a fully restored 1988 Dodge Dakota LE 5 speed V6. I have found it to be durable and reliable.
I'm almost done with my 96' 5.2, 4x4, 5 speed, short bed, standard cab restoration. Had a little rust on the frame so tore it down and replacing every thing just because. Had almost everything original in it besides brakes and wheel bearings. ALL the bushings and ball joints were factory. Had only 112k miles on it, but 25 years, rubber stuff went buh bye. Frame was sandblasted, all new stainless brake lines, etc etc.. looking purdy. Ran perfect before I started and got 20mpg, I love the first gen Dakota's, I plow with mine too, a beast in the snow.
@@tomc8157 I hope to drop a 318 V8 in mine when I get the time. Yours sounds great, especially being a 5 speed too. Auto transmissions can be the weak point.
I had an ‘88 with the 3.9/manual. While it never broke down on me, it was not well sorted. The manual made strange noises, they replaced the throw out bearing, and the engine was rough and balky. Absolutely no performance for a V6/manual, but the 3.9 in spite of was durable. I went on to own a ‘91, ‘92, and ‘97 Dakota, all with a 318. A much more desirable pickup. The ‘97 was my favorite.
@@jamesaandf Well to be fair, it was the second year for the Dakota so issues weren't yet fully resolved. I'm glad I got the 96 being the last year, pretty much all the prior issues were ironed out.
@@tomc8157 I really liked my ‘92 Club Cab 318. Only trouble I had was it developed a major interior leak on the passenger side about the time I sold it, so I never did find the issue. It had about 35,000 miles and never anything done but routine service. The ‘92 was also the fastest.
But the ‘97 was the looker and felt more solid, because it was.
The 0-60 time of 13.5 seconds with the V6 was markedly better than the 2.2, which did 0-60 in never.
Had an 87 dakota 4x4 3.9L.On the highway it would do 80 while floored.
@@briancushley4182 It would do more, but you ran out of speedometer.
Most under powered vehicle I ever owned
This is a very nice little truck and it's a shame it got too large.
Fun fact: the Greek Fire Service still has a small fleet of Dakotas, with the 5.2 V8! They were used for the forest fires but they're still in good shape, having all the necessary equipment!
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What do you mean by Greek Fire Service? Is there a city called Greek? Or like the country?
As a teenager in 1987, I thought the Dakota's styling was too conservative, and too GM-like. Like a cross between the 1982 S-10, and the new full-sized CK pickups.
Chrysler too often played it overly safe, styling-wise in the 80s. While the LeBaron GTS and Lancer looked European, they appeared at least a generation behind the Taurus and Ford aero styling in general. The disappointing Acclaim, Dynasty and Spirit's styling looked like early 80s GM designs.
I thought you died in in ‘08?
@@Jon-jn3dg great comment. could be a glitch in the matrix
From my understanding, these were excellent trucks. I feel like it was underrated and under-appreciated by the public. I like the facelifted version that came out in the early 90s. The 2.2L 4cyl was eventually replaced with a 2.5L 4cyl and an optional 5.2L V8 was offered in addition to the V6. It was the perfect inbetweener truck. Roomier and more capable with the optional 8ft bed over the Ranger and S10, but easier to drive and less expensive than an F150 or Silverado. I don't know why the Dakota didn't sell better.
Besides the rust (a problem with most domestic compact trucks at the time) and "weak" transmissions, I can't say I know of many other major complaints of these, I know I heard alot of dislike for the mileage which led many of my family to opt for a full size ram instead because it was a bigger truck with marginally worse MPG.
I have a restored 88 Dakota LE 5 speed. 120k miles. Owned for 10 years and never missed a beat. Manual transmissions were decent and were a tough truck
@@BigWheel. rust problems on a domestic? Lol Toyota anyone?
@@BigWheel. the 3 speed autos were fantastic transmissions, dodge really had problems with the 4 speed autos.
Crowded market?
4:00 John: NOT IN THE SPORTS CAR CLASS, BUT GOOD FOR A TRUCK OF ANY SIZE! LOL
This was one of my favorite Matchbox cars as a kid.
Thanks Beth. You're welcome John.
Awkward moment?
Thanks Greg.
I realize in retrospect we see how bizarre we looked in the 80's with today's eyes, but even then, that woman's look was a bit too trendy, not everyone looked that way. The business in the front, party in the back mullets and high shouldered apparel were the rage, but only if you wanted to be "trendy"... acid washed jeans, bright neon tees and knit, multi-colored/patterned sweaters were all what we tend to remember because of how today's films and shows that chronicle the 80's give the actors that look. Many of us, as we dress to this day, wore good old blue jeans and normal hued tees back then, including me.(fortunately I could never grow a mullet with my thick dark hair) :-)
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"You're welcome, John" 😘
@@aidaaliten8817 11 now
I was 14 in 1987 and remember wearing acid washed jeans and trying to grow a mullet despite my mother constantly harping on me to get a haircut (perfect look to drive that 1987 Camaro, all I needed was a moustache, lol). I think she was ok with the mullet eventually, but when I got my ear pierced, that was too much. She asked me if I wanted to put a ribbon in my hair too, lol! Luckily earrings on dudes is quite common and accepted today. Long hair, not so much.
I love these pickups so much I’ve owned 5 within the past 2 years and I loved every single one
Got mine at 15 from my grandpa. I learned to drive in that thing, but 3 years later and 150k miles it may need an engine rebuild 😕
The only Dodge pickup where the instrument cluster is from the Dodge Lancer/Chrysler Lebaron GTS!
It took all the other 1/4 tons over 20 years to catch up with tha Dakota. Lifelong fan, most underrated trucks ever made
He said Northwest. So maybe Montana and Idaho.
I had to 1988 Dakota's. They were Great trucks! The 1st was a 6cyl, manual, short bed that I sold with 278,000 miles. The second a 6cyl, auto, 8ft bed that I sold with 299,000 miles. I still regret selling this one. They were tough, dependable, simple trucks. It was sad to see what they became toward the end. So happy to see this today.
0:12
"Thanks Beth"
"You're welcome John"
These two have the awkward chemistry.
I custom ordered a 2001 4x4 Dakota Quad cab with 4.7 v-8, 3.92 gears and 5 speed manual transmission. I put 437,000 plus miles on it in 17 years until it was totaled in an accident caused by another party. Good truck
In August, I bought a first gen 1994 Dakota SLT 5.2L V8, RWD with 146k for $1.6k. After putting around $1.5k into it, it's running like a dream. I still have a few minor things to fix (driver door issues, some paint and a new center console), but overall she's beautiful. My dad built Dodge trucks (72-88) when we lived in Detroit, so I always wanted one from that period, but this 94 was the best one I could find.
in 1987 when I was 16, when these types of trucks were around $8-12k, I was making $4.25 an hour and I though that was a lot of money and I would never be able to afford a new truck. Of course being 16, you never look at the big picture with intelligence and experience that one day, I would indeed, one day, be able to afford new vehicles or pay cash for used vehicle.
People in USA don't know how cheap cars are over there. In my country a 20 year old corolla goes for over 15k in USD. Thats how things are in many countries .
@@sunilayya8948 I saw a 2005 toyota corolla for sale in my area for 3500 USD.
Lol yeah sure
4.25 ..dang you were rich
@@sunilayya8948 And yet some Europeans and Americans still like making fun of America’s used car market, it isn’t even that bad, inflation has just made everything that would have costed $500 in 1986 cost $3500 today
I have 92 Dakota Sport with 276,000 miles. It runs like scalded dog! 3.9 V6 and five speed. Burns no oil and is very solid on the road.
Fun Fact: The 4x4 shortbed Dakotas were featured in the first couple seasons of Baywatch as beach patrol trucks (along with nissan hardbody 4x4s and Toyota T100s) before they were replaced by the ford ranger splash 4x4s later in the 90s.
Miss my '92 shortbed 4x4. 3.9 v6, 5-spd. Great truck, prop rod and all!
Great video, my father Nick has a '14 silver dodge ram 1500 with four doors and I still think it's a good truck
Have a 1991 Dakota le has 5.2 litre, 6 lug wheels and it still runs great, grandson give it to us and love the little truck. Great Video. 👍
91 was an odd year for the Dakota.
Hi Dodge, I'll take my custom Dakota with an 8 foot bed, Slant 6 engine and manual transmission. And don't be cheap with the velour on my bench seat.
If they would ONLY do a Slant Six in this truck!!!
Back when a truck was a truck not a Glorified pavement princess
New ford rangers....🤮
Thats why I drive a 2nd gen Frontier
People pay 50 grand for trucks these days and use them for grocery getters. I don't get it
Back when a truck was a truck not a glorified pavement princess
It's now the summer of 2023, and the world has gone to shit. Fully loaded half ton pick ups, and well quipped 3/4 ton pick ups are going for almost $100,000. The days of the honest truck, and affordable truck, are gone.
Fun fact: The 1987 model was the only year to have a carburetor on the V6. '88-up models had fuel injection.
Dakota the that always underated
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We still have my dad's 87. It was built 9 of 86. I drove it in high school. It had the 3.9 it now has a 5.9 v8. Still a solid, comfortable truck.
Love my '87. Just wish I had the money to restore her properly
My father in law has a 88 version that's still going. It's a fun truck!
Excellent truck back in the day. Perfect size & beautiful 2 tone paint jobs. Mine ran like a flawless sewing machine for 5 years straight and didn't even need to put air in the tires @ 286k on the odometer- just oil changes ( 3.9 with 5 speed manual transmission) . 1987 Dakota was first year production plus only year to use carburator. in 1988, they switched to Magnum fuel injection...
The Magnum V6 (multiport injection) didn't show up until 1992. The 1988-1991 models had throttle body injection.
No in 1988 was the TBI. Magnum was later on around 1992 I think. I own a 1988.
These are still fairly common in Alberta and can be had for really cheap. It'd be a lot of fun to drop in a junkyard 5.9 Magnum with a 5 speed. As is, it would surprise a lot of the newer trucks at red lights!
There's a YT channel who did a Hellcat engine and transmission swap into a 2nd gen Dakota R/T. It looks sweet
There are no cheap cars, esp used pickups anymore
I live in Alberta. You dont see many of the early Gen 1 (87-90) the facelift ones are more common though
@@Blue-moon12 Let kijiji be your guide
@@bradnimbus4836 🤣🤣
First gens are such an interesting truck, owning one myself I love it.
This is probably enough truck for 90% of what anyone might need one for now but them market insists on trucks the size of tractor trailers.
My grandma’s Chrysler 5th Avenue had that same steering wheel. Miss the Dakota, drove my grandpa’s 2nd gen in high school and had a 3rd gen until last August. Wish Stellantis would bring it back
8 foot bed on a small, single cab pickup. Wish we had this stuff these days.
Had a '91 with the V6. Really was a great truck. Super easy to work on and you couldn't kill it.
Awesome video! I actually still own a 1987 Dakota
I drive an 87 v6, I’m 27 it’s my only vehicle, bought for 1700 cash before I had a license almost 10 years ago. It’s treated me well, cheap insurance, cheap tires, easy maintenance. It get me where I need to go and get comments from everyone, positive and not so... oh well, she treats me well. I’m 6’5” and I fit ok, mostly because the bench seat is blown out, it’s like a bucket/bench now and is more comfortable than modern 4 door car seats from Honda or Nissan, I can do 3 hour trips no problem.
Occasionally I have stuff break or act up, currently it started overheating this week, if anyone has a garage in the Boston area, hit me up! It’s raining and I need to get to the intake manifold gasket I believe!
I drive a 88 Dakota V6 5 speed. I love it. Its my summer ride.
@@Blue-moon12 mine is manual as well, hopefully I can retire it as the daily and get it restored to hold onto, the rockers are worse for wear but frame is solid.
Its weird that dodge hasn’t brought back the Dakota. The gladiator isn’t really a good replacement for the Dakota.
they say there is a midsized that will be released from ram that could be called ram dakota within the next year or 2.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!! ONE OF MY FAVORITES!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!
My dad has a 90 Dakota and it was great. Although the end where they talk about the headrest is so true. My dad was rear ended at a stop light and his head went back and hit the glass. 20 plus years on he still hurts from that accident.
Ouch, that hurts really bad. How were they able to get away with no headrests like that? I wouldn't buy or own a car without headrests.
Classic Beth. Right again.
Wait... how does Dakota conjure up images of the Pacific Northwest? Last time I checked, the Dakotas were like... smack dab in the middle of the country.
Living in the Pacific Northwest, this made me scratch my head as well. The only Dakotas I know are the truck and as you pointed out…middle of the country. Maybe maps weren’t very common in the 80s. 🤷🏼♂️
John ment just the word Dakota in general, not the Dakotas you were thinking about.
I took one on a test drive in 1991 had the 5.2 litre awesome power 👍
I almost bought the truck shown,but with 4wd.Thought it had decent power until I drove a Jeep Comanche with the 4.0 I6.Dakota is thought to be the Comanche killer.
Love my 90 Dakota easy to work on and don't need a several 1000 dallor computer to check things
Still a great looking truck. Very simple, Just the way I like a truck.
Killed the extra cab Commanche
I once worked at a Cub Scout camp that had a 1988; in fact, in the very same two-tone color scheme seen here. It was still performing camp duties as of 2012, and the 3.9L V6 ran like a champ.
I love seeing this, my highschool truck was a 2wd ‘88 scsb with a v6
Freaking Awesome video. One of my favorite trucks. Oh and I own a 97 5.2. And have owned four Dodges. Two Dakotas, One Durango and a ext cab 2nd gen Ram. Great power. Yea there's a few problems 😅 with them. But in all honesty every car makers have issues
I had a 1995 Dakota for years. Overall it was a good vehicle. My only complaint was the rubbery steering feel, but otherwise I had no regrets.
I have a '96 and just had the upper control arm bushings/Pitman Arm and Idler Arm done - steering is fantastic now. Rack and pinion does well
Ah, the 1st gen Dakota. My dad had a '93 Dakota as a scrap hauler for a few years, and it served us pretty well, especially considering we'd scored it for only $600. We ran it into the ground - the only reason it's not still with us is because the frame was dangerously rusted. I still miss that damn truck. It really was the sort of truck you'll never see made today - compact truck capable of hauling loads of shit and holding 6 passengers, albeit a bit tight.
Wow great video quality on this one! Those driving scenes came out like they were filmed last week.
I love Dodge Dakota first gen. 1987 and 1988 is my favorite
I never thought much of these trucks back in the day. Looking back this first gen was probably the least ugly
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@@aidaaliten8817 why are you just commenting with numbers????
@@aidaaliten8817 no. It is 4
Currently building a little no prep truck out of an 89 Dakota. The little thing still looks cool IMO and setup for the track it’s fairly lightweight, tipping the scales at 3225 with an LM7 between the fenders.
Love the looks!
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Looks good! I'm going to head over to my local Dodge dealer tomorrow. I hope they still have some of these 1987 Dakotas left. I've been looking for a mid size truck with an 8 foot bed, bench seat and a column shift, and the K-Car 4 cylinder engine for maximum fuel economy. Maybe they'll discount the price a bit if it's kicking around on the lot.
Its funny, back in 1989 I was truck shopping and was at a Dodge dealership in Marietta Ga. on a relatively COLD evening. The salesman who was helping me brought several sets of keys out for diffrent trim level Dakota trucks and he couldn't keep any of them running long enough to even get out of the back lot, needless to say I didn't buy a Dakota... Very memorable to say the least.
Boy we’ve come a long ways since those day’s! The quality was terrible in some of them vehicles back then!
My dad had a 1992 dakota sport. Red. 4 cylinder. No air conditioning. Regular cab. Wasn't a bad truck but the 2000 dakota he bought years later was much better.
I also had a 92 Red Sport from 93-97, V6 5 speed, also regular cab and short bed. Was a fun truck, wish I could find another one. BTW 15.9 seconds @ 85 MPH in the 1/4 mile, Ran it a the dragstrip for time only a few times.
i love the two-tone
Gotta have a two-tone. My '96 is - LOVE it!
3:02 That's got to be the largest fuel gauge I've ever seen.
Yes. Just awful as it does not even use the full space of the gauge
I had a V6 powered 94 Dakota with the extra cab. It was tough and dependable, it seldom required repair, but that shaky 6 was an annoyance, though it did give decent gas mileage. I wish mine had come with the V8.
Never knew they put a 2.2L in the Dakota. Thought they were either a 3.9L or a 5.2L. My mother had one with the 3.9L . She liked it a lot.
2.2 was only available in 87
I remember there was also a 2.5 4 cyl offered for a few years
Price leader.
I have a 87 V6 dodge Dakota ram truck that my brother left me, it runs good I drive it all around and I love it, but I just need to smog it it doesn't pass smog, but I'm going to fix it with a new computer, I think that's it! Have a good day with yours!
Great truck. My dad had a 95 with the 3.9 L V6. He gave it to my brother and he beat the shit out of it. We got 16 years out of that truck with probably 300,000 miles. When he bought it in 95 it felt old then but it was comforting at the same time. I learn to drive in that truck And if I could find one in good condition I would buy it in a heartbeat. But they don’t exist anymore.
My brother has a 87 that only has 87k miles (ironic I know haha) he’s selling it for 300 because it’s been parked for years so the engine/carburetor etc may be needing some tlc. I’m considering purchasing it
they were very nice trucks, and the 3.9 with fuel injection with 175hp had lots of power, the 5.2 and 5.9 was powerful too! i don't think they had a 2.2..2.5 i believe it was.
What's interesting about the interior is that it uses the 1984 Chrysler Luxury Steering Wheel instead of the 1987 one so this might be an early version of the Dodge Dakota.
Yeah, this had to be a EARLY production number from 86. My 87 was built in Jan 87 and had the beefy pickup wheel.
8 foot bed good v6 4 wheel or two wheel driving like the style and two colors when trucks was cheap 20 in gas good for some
Would love to see the Luxurious L7!
that storage shelf is great for sitting your sunglasses case on, and then it falls off after you go more than 5mph.
great truck!
I had a 90 with 8' bed and high top cap. I could load front to back packed tight with firewood and she'd handle it no problem.
True billetproof truck I grew up around from 1962 to current...unlike todays overpriced grocery getters status symbols that cost 50k-80k
I'm really surprised Dodge hasn't brought back this pickup since Ford brought back the Ranger, and Chevy has the Colorado. Plus a lot of automakers are starting to bring back small pickup trucks again. So you'd think Dodge would get with the program and do the same to keep up with the competition. Especially since Dodge / Chrysler has really been thinning the herd in the last several years. They don't have very many models to choose from anymore, no matter if it's cars or trucks.
I was interested in them, wish I had bought one!
Funny how I haven't seen one of these 1st gen Dakotas on the road in 8-10 years. Still see the occasional late 80's/early 90's Dodge Ram, usually with the Cummins. 80's/90's Chevy trucks, be they full size or S dime sized are pretty common, 90's F150/250/350 are fairly common along with the occasional Ranger. But Rangers all look the same, a 1995 looks like a 2005. Still see a lot of 90's Toyota trucks too, be the old 89-94 or 95 newer Tacomas. Still though full size 1/2 ton Chevys are the most common 90's truck in my part of town.
Love the outside but woof that steering wheel was the same steering wheel that was on my Lebaron.
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And?
@@aidaaliten8817 I was browsing through the comments. Did you just learn how to count and want to show everyone?
Ram is overdue for the reintroduction of the Dakota. The midsize truck segment has made a big comeback in recent years.
The sideview mirrors at 3:09 gotta be carefully adjusted with your hand.
88 they had adjusters in the cab to do it
The convertible version is da bomb.
BACK IN 1987 THE DODGE DAKOTA WAS AROUND THE TIME AS THE RAM 50
Beautifull truck
Sempre sensacional 😃☺️👍 que da hora
Who would have thought back in 87 that in the 2020s pickups would be status symbols w/ a 50,000 base price, and packed with tech. Pickups used to evoke thoughts of farmers contractors and handymen. Now they are for buiness executives who "rough" it to there 100 grand + a year job
What was Beth right about?
That we would still be watching these road tests in 2021 on CZcams
That they were going to have a hot and steamy hookup in the bed of that Dakota after filming that day, lol!
When you can't come up with an original tail light design unique to the Dakota so you borrow the one off the Ram instead. They done that with the Durango too. Taking the design from the Grand Caravan.
Dakotas have cutouts for 2x6s for laying flat 4'x8' sheets
The rear end is stable, even when empty.
Chevy and GMC will always be my favorite but dodges back then we're built good. This is before they had all the rust problems.
When pickup trucks were ACTUALLY pickup trucks.