1st Gen Dodge Dakota - WORTH THE HYPE?

I got my hands on a 1996 Dodge Dakota SLT 4x4 with the 5.2L V8... but the questions remains......... IS IT ANY GOOD?
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We hope you enjoyed this video and will keep in mind that all information included is intended to be purely academic and in fact is only the opinion of D&E. We are not professionals, nor are we qualified to knight you a professional. D&E want to ensure that anyone modify or fixing their own vehicle does so in a safe manner which leaves the vehicle in a legal, roadworthy state. In short, DON'T BE A MONKEY WITH A TOOL BOX! If you don't know what you are doing, leave it the professionals!

[@driveitlikeitsmine]

The 3.9 is a monster. My dad's had 220k on it, sounded like a diesel, blown head gaskets. Always did what was wanted

[@Bingo1Dog]

My dad had an 01 with the 3.9 and that engine was still going strong at nearly 200k when the trans went (again). That truck did not live an easy life.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🛻

[@WillemHuber]

Love the 1st gen and 2nd gen Dakotas. I personally have a 2001 Ram 1500 with the 360 in it and love the Magnum engines to the moon and back. Can't wait to see what you do with this dandy rig!

[@benfischer655]

Thank goodness for the the 318. Truck is a great size. American flag yes

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🛻

[@furmanmackey5479]

I truly miss my trusty old 2001 Dakota with its "Magnum" Mercedes engine and transmission (and yes Virginia, while the folks from Deimler-Benz owned Chrysler, short and long blocks and transmissions that had been discontinued/replaced in European cars and especially SUVs were shipped to the U.S., assembled and/or installed in Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep cars, trucks, and SUVs.). I have no idea how many such engines and transmissions ended up in U.S. vehicles, but my mechanic back then took one look at those installed in my truck and immediately identified it as a Mercedes engine, with matching transmission, formerly found in M-B SUVs. My truck, with 55,000 miles on it when I purchased it in 2004, needed very little work until a lady blew a red light (something she had a bad habit of doing based on her driving and accident history) and very nearly took the front end off of my truck with her Chevy Astro van. Thanks to a very well equipped and highly competent shop in my area my Dakota was made as good as new despite a battle with the high-risk driver insurance company she had been covered by at the time of the collision. I drove "Old Faithful" till late 2012 when I foolishly traded it for a 2013 Nissan Frontier with all the bells and whistles offered at the time but ended up seeing that my old 2001 Dakota had found a good home with a young couple from Pennsylvania only a few weeks after I made the trade.

[@mikemccabe7124]

i love my 94 xtended cab dakota 5.2v8 i put a 390 stroker kit on it i love it its no longer my daily driver but its gives all the smiles per miles.. i used a early model elcamino style aluminium racing radiator with 3 rows equiped with dual electric fans and shroud you get off amazon and ditched the engine driven fan and my engine and a/c stays nice and cold even in drive thru's in arizona summer days which was my favorite thing i did cuz after 5mins in phoenix it'll start getting warm and same with the a/c it would stop really working as it should but with new setup it could sit and idle all day and the temp sensors handle the electric fans perfectly

[@sccarguy8242]

Man it sure sounds like you’re a man in need of a Chevy Avalanche…. For all the OG’s

[@macsloan58]

Absolutely

[@Yoyo81828]

I've wanted one of these forever but they're hard to find in VA.

[@robtheroadie2240]

Sic Semper Tyrannus!

[@tadavis12]

Camo headliner or grayish blue flannel pattern would be pretty rad. I had the flannel blanket headliner in my xj and it was super comfy and looked freaking awesome. Congrats on the new truck man! I’ve been away from the channel for a hot minute. Also, if you’re looking for a truck cap I suggest Ishlers truck caps in Harrisburg pa. I got one for my gladiator and they were over $1k cheaper than anywhere else for a brand new one. I think they even deal in used ones too

[@user-ni5el5dn8t]

this caught my eye and i subscribed right away. don't want to miss you working on this beauty. have been working on my own 1988 dakota for a year now. out with the 3.9 and have the 5.2 magnum installed. original electronics were junk so goodbye to those too. the beer barrel intake is gone replaced with aluminum 4 bbl intake and a carb. only the wiring and a custom cooling system are left to do. no more computers, OLD SCHOOL IS COOL!!!!

[@user-ni5el5dn8t]

p.s. rust free $600 southern truck

[@hachi-rokuperformancegroup3987]

I had a Dakota 1st gen and i took the v6 out and put in a carbed LA 360 with the 727 transmission. It was a fun little truck

[@armandoakoni8241]

That’s awesome! Id love to do that! How did you keep it street legal?/pass inspection? I’ve got a 3.9 2003.

[@hachi-rokuperformancegroup3987]

@armandoakoni8241 no inspections or emissions in my area of arizona. If it has seat belts and the required lights they will give you a plate for it

[@Ericnelsonhubbard]

Had a 96 regular cab 2wd manual with 3.90 gears. It was a blast until the head on collision

[@JC-wb3th]

Love the idea of this new series

[@mikep8741]

I own a 93' Dakota LE with the 5.2. I love it

[@Bingo1Dog]

To be fair there was one model dakota prior to the facelift that had the 5.2l v8. The 1989 Shelby Dakota

[@salvatorebaleno9807]

R.I.P. to the D.O.A. Dakoa but damn, looks like you scored on this one. Congrats on the new job and looking forward to seeing more of thia.

[@MajorWeakness]

Taillights not the same as a Comanche MJ...but close. Some have found a way to use them upside-down

[@vinnyreichardt106]

318 from 96 was unstoppable

[@danhambrick6331]

Congratulations Douglas...That is quite the Gem you found there...I love the fact that you are going to try and keep it original...👍👍💪

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🛻

[@toast9758]

87-90 was the flatnose, then 91 was kind of an odd ball with the recessed headlights, then 92-96 was that bullnose style

[@user-lq6yo8tp5g]

Great find! Stock ignition will work fine. Just follow the updated wire routing instructions from MoPar technical bulletin. Radio from a pre WJ will mount and plug right in and work fine.

[@westonsmith588]

I bought a 1991 2wd for $200 few months back. It been fun so far to fix it and make small upgrades. Been easy to work on and find parts. Great buy with the 4x4.

[@landdealsCA]

200 nice

[@nathanbrundige9786]

Very cool truck. As far as maintenance goes, you dont need fancy wires/plugs/coil, any of that. It will be dead reliable in stock form. Also, as far as the trans is concerned, dont be scared of it. Add a big cooler, call her good enough unless its already junk.

[@nikolauschiorgno5884]

Had the same truck. Used to brun the tires right off it . Had over 200k on it when got rid of it. With same transaction. Good truck

[@jeffrrey6791]

I love the color scheme on the dakota

[@natewj1077]

Currently working on my 1998 zj 5.9 I will say the plenum plate gasket is a big thing to watch for and change. I snapped the two front bolts off the rip, but it has to be done! You can do kegger mods and an aluminum plenum plate while your there.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

Big fan of you junk yard and jeep videos! I just got a 94 5.2 4x4 single cab with 37,000 miles 😅 but she need some TLC for paint and engine but she’s a Cali car with no frame rust luckily. Can’t wait to see your videos on this truck because there’s not a lot of coverage on these awesome trucks

[@davidblake1343]

I had a 91 and they did half a year with sunken headlights and half year with flush head lights. Mine had the sunken lights but still rounded grille. Awesome truck, too bad I rolled it

[@terryrice3503]

I had a 2003 dakota with 4.7 all I can say I never want to deal with that motor again lol

[@furmanmackey5479]

Ah hell....Forgot to mention that for whatever reason the color combination on your Dakota was apparently THE most popular color combination for Dakotas of that generation sold in my area at least. A number of them are still on the road today but the Southern sun has not been kind to the grey paint!

[@tonydowd8566]

I'm loving your new acquisition. Often thought about owning one of these. The 5.2 magnum really appeals to this ol previous motor head, owner of the infamous 68 GTX 440 Magnum. Murcia all the way baby... Definitely going to hang onto my 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0, 4 X 4... Can't wait for your next video, and congrats on your new job...

[@wildbill23c]

The 242 transfer case would be nice. Everyone that's driven an unloaded pickup in bad weather knows they suck for traction....if you gave it the 242 that adds full time 4WD mode you'd appreciate it much more. A Friend of mine had a 1992 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with the 5 speed but it had the 3.9L V6 in it, 200k+ miles on it and it was still going, it does still run, but it was stolen and wrecked a few months ago. So its been totaled by insurance. Just stick to stock parts for the tune-up, it ain't gonna run any better by over-spending on everything.

[@tinmansolo5855]

I was always curious on what happened to the other Dakota. Agree on the flag headliner, but then a pew pew rack on the back window is a must! Toss some Nerf blasters in it. After you work and patch the frame I would put fluid film on it to help preserve it.

[@Spoolingturbski]

I just bought a 2000 quad cab 4x4 with the 5.9. Dakotas are the best midsize trucks period

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

My ZJ is almost in perfect condition. 240,000 mi runs perfect. I met a guy who had one in mint condition with 400,000 mi on the engine. He said he just can't kill the engine and he wants to because he has a brand new rebuilt ready to go. Thing sounded like a race car. Anyway, thanks for all your help. Now I'm looking for a Dakota LOL

[@tinmansolo5855]

Mine just turned 239K last week. Gotta love the 4.0's

[@mylittlepitbull3143]

@@tinmansolo5855 I do love the 4.0s. But I love the 5.2s also and that's what I have. I'm looking for a wj with a 4.0 or a Cherokee.

[@KaSwipeSter]

I will say my A500 did kick the bucket at low miles. I had sold my Dakota to my uncle and it nearly immediately blew on him. He had it at the transmission shop 3 times within a month.

[@jamesavery1879]

I am looking forward to this build !

[@shootsandladderbars3055]

Get both. I have a 1991 Dak with the 5.2 and a 2003 Dak with the 4.7, both approaching 300k. While the 4.7 is more problematic they are both great trucks.

[@Wageslave645]

Still waiting for you to go all in on the WK Grand Cherokees, if only because there is no good content on KZbin for them.

[@mjenner89]

Looking forward to this series! 🤙

[@radarnj8043]

Jersey era Betsy Ross revolutionary war flag. Roll different stars and bars.

[@kb9oak749]

I had a 1992 regular cab short bed with a 3.9. It was kind of quick for a V6.

[@falconice1266]

5.2 first appeared in the 89 Dakota Shelby

[@GreenheartGal]

I have a 1st gen ‘89 that I parked 4 years ago (still running) and was thinking of fixing up because I miss her. Looking fwd to this series.

[@GreenheartGal]

PS My cup holder still works. 😂

[@preppinglife624]

I always love your content bro!

[@mikemccabe7124]

i did the full polyurethane bushings kit from prothane which has all body mounts and suspension peices front rear including sway bars and man it changed the ride but in the best positive way

[@TwoDollarGararge]

It's over 25 years old if you live in a state with salt a nice one will be rare. Also the box shape is becoming cool again the round blob is the old boring look now.

[@sccarguy8242]

It is a classic, it’s 25+ years old. You can slap QQ’s on her legally as crazy as that sounds.

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

Go with 3" pipe on that V8. I did a mexican blanket for my headliner in our 95. I daily drive the 95 5.2 5spd 4wd for my job. I put a detroit locker in out 93 2wd. 21:08 I've been running the old Bosch platinum +4 since 1999 in our 93 never had to change them they still look new out of the box. Skip the thicker wires. Upgrade the rear drums to 10" for towing. Also open up the firewall wiring plug and check for corrosion. The biggest thing is getting that 3" exhaust it will restore some lost power and torque.

[@1stzjtruck706]

Great job and picture at the end

[@cravenadventures]

Wife said YES!!!!!! To the Merica' theme. And I Agree

[@kc0lif]

i do like the wj jeep grand cherokee selec-trac. Dakotas are nice.

[@NoWr2Run]

NICE FIND, 242, FJB..

[@jessebalser2771]

I had a 93 i daylide for years

[@danielsalm6410]

My 87 year old Father had an old Dakoter Exploder!! He drove that into the Dirt. That thing ran for years!! 😂

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🛻

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🛻

[@Ezekiellife]

Because it has the v8 it should have the 46rh transmission which is closer to the a518 and I would replace the intake plenum gasket or change the intake to a different one

[@chadernest4399]

No cap, don’t ugly it up. Get a tonneau cover

[@TheMainLead]

That’s a preference thing for sure.

[@ednorris3697]

Do some rear end upgrades they're known for going bad same with transmission

[@KaSwipeSter]

I’ve had a 1st gen dakota pretty much exactly like that. I now have a ranger and an xj. Agree with you on the s10, but rangers are good trucks for the most part. Even that slow af 3.0 l is alright. I have the 4.0 ohv though. Thank god the ohv and not ohc with the plastic timing chain guides. XJ of course has the 4.0 i6. Not going to meet up to “settle this” over some trucks it’s not that serious. Don’t get my tone wrong you make great videos.

[@mikemccabe7124]

i have the factory deluxe radio to my 94 you could have if u want it

[@4x4rcoff-roadtractors54]

Well my 88 Dakota they gave me 15 years of service the reason why I replaced it with my 2000 Dodge Ram because it's wiring gave up it's fuel injection wouldn't work right anymore it was a hack job from the beginning when I bought it for the previous owner just hacked all the wiring up so I'm amazed they gave me 15 years of service now just hit the yard with small engine stored in the bed with a cab cover on it and miscellaneous junk and car covers and sheets of Glass on the front seat yeah

[@paulgiardino6274]

“I want it to remain a Dakota”. 4 minutes later: “I want to put Jeep parts all over it”.

[@DEInTheGarage]

Welcome to my brain bud. The weather changes just that fast some days...

[@vipersquad3]

My 94 just reached 201789 miles

[@daphlavor]

MSD is the way to go!

[@m2003h]

Do the Flag head liner

[@samuellarden8776]

In BC canada where I'm at, these trucks which I love and collect are damn near good as gold to the right people now that the scrapyard/pick'a'parts have started scrapping them.😢 if you find a v8 with 5speed manual hold onto it with your life.

[@87fubar]

yrs ago i tried really hard to find 1st gen dakota but seamed like everything under fullsize they wanted arm/leg

[@Edwin-uq4xb]

That thing is screaming for body color matched plaid headliner.

[@johnb.7979]

I've got a '93 I bought 7 yrs ago. The biggest problem I've had and am seeing with these trucks is the availability of electronic components. The computer is getting tough to find (even used) and a lot of the parts house parts like IAC, TPS etc, don't play well with the factory computer. Sure, the truck could be rewired, but how do you retain the factory fuel injection?

[@vinnyreichardt106]

Cab mount is shot

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

Just trying help the videos algorithm 👍

[@macsloan58]

Nice.

[@justingomez2379]

I drive a 96 to its the v6 and the engine is rebuilt and new clutch I am.doing a soild axle swaap.on it

[@vipersquad3]

Will 6 lug 2 gen dakota rotors fit on 1st gen front end??

[@4x4rcoff-roadtractors54]

I know you know that Dodge and Jeep are the same vehicle the 87 Jeep Cherokee I have was the last AMC year before Mopar bought Jeep so you technically don't have to put Jeep parts into a Dodge because they already sharon Park between each other

[@lmajeff1577]

Just found your channel. I have a 1996 Dodge Dakota 4wd with a 3.9. I need to replace the upper control arms as the thread in ball joint will not stay in. Any suggestions on up grading to a gen 2 control arms. The truck is mint as you would say. It is a Texas truck with no rust.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

❤

[@plaidpluto]

Would've gone 95 for no inspection otherwise like the first gen Dakota's.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚛

[@rodom303]

Hell ye back in buisness

[@DEInTheGarage]

Glad yall are on board!

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚚

[@davidduffy4924]

Douglas new job???

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚙

[@robtheroadie2240]

😢Does this mean no more WJ videos?😢😢

[@angelopetraglia8326]

@deinthegarage I have a ZJ OHC if you want one for your sunglasses, you can have it.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚗

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

😮

[@shannisgeorge]

Did u say hemi swap and 1 tons

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚓

[@congettalalicata2082]

Well I have a 1992 Dodge Dakota with the 5.2 l V8 is a two-wheel drive which is the rear-wheel drive let me tell you I've been working on cars a long time everything you know about cars throw it out the window cuz your Dodge Dakota is different

[@macsloan58]

Well……you asked for suggestions as to what to do with the truck. Put wings on it and load it with ammonium nitrate then fly it to 1600 Pennsyl…………………….never mind. Don’t want to face the wrath of the tube god.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚑

[@CentralPALocos]

I love second gens more though

[@ObamaoZedong]

It is considered dishonorable to use the American flag for decorative purposes, but it's a free country so you do you.

[@DEInTheGarage]

That ship may have sailed, bud. You been in traffic, at a Wal*Mart or literally anywhere? Anf WAY more importan.. maybe we have changed that outmoded pearl clutching way of thinking because in 2024 the stars and stripes need as many advocates as it can get and normal good folks need to see it waving in as many places as possible to ensure they know that freedom and liberty ain't dead and they aren't alone. Or maybe I just just don't get it.. enjoy your flagpole.

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🚌

[@zachhensel5480]

I have an 81d150 with 74d100 slant6 that I would sell u for 1600

[@hardwire666too]

Technically since its a 1996 it is a "classic car".

[@ronaldrey8474]

New subscriber here , Jeeps are sweet. Low buck garage has a manual conv. that's cool. Dakota should be interesting./⁠ᐠ⁠｡⁠ꞈ⁠｡⁠ᐟ⁠\

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

🛻

[@wildgoosechase72]

‘Merica

[@NathanMaldonado-mt5st]

😂