The Dodge Dakota Convertible Was a Bizarre Drop-Top Truck

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The Dodge Dakota Convertible was absolutely bizarre. Today I'm reviewing the Dakota Convertible, and I'll show you all the quirks and features of this weird and unusual truck. I'm also going to drive the Dakota Sport Convertible and show you what it's like behind the wheel of this very strange vehicle.
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[@GHOSTJERKER]

The rollbar was the only thing holding this entire truck together😂

[@mioakiyama4919]

lol

[@dencur4176]

@@mioakiyama4919 not really, i have one and the only thing that rattles is the tailgate going over bumps!

[@guillo69orgymaster]

Do you have a Hotwheels version of this GhostJerker?

[@314jeepsnmopars3]

Considering it's body on frame I doubt it lost most of the structural rigidity. But I'm sure the cab has some flex though.

[@Jefff72]

If you have around 1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R, gets hold of Doug! I would love him drive my old Sentra, but it’s rotting in a junkyard somewhere.

[@mattt198654321]

Doug's hand motions are literally shaking the entire truck.

[@alphaboltz]

My wife hates watching based alone on his spastic hands. She can’t stand it

[@usmcplu]

I feel he's getting more spasitic in his more recent videos.

[@roddydykes7053]

That’s his most recent tic

[@38911bytefree]

@@alphaboltz LOL !!!!!!

[@tonyrome655]

There should be a warning at the start that the video may cause seizures. Also, I wanted to like your comment but it was at 69.

[@jakegianino5762]

I love how the quality engineered plaque is blocked by the seatbelt

[@steveoliver1409]

And that the Dakota Sport graphic would fit on the door, but they've applied it partly on the front wing!

[@victornjensen]

@@steveoliver1409 that annoyed me very much

[@hanislip]

I didnt know this existed

[@KenanTurkiye]

What were they thinking of ? !

[@samholdsworth3957]

@@KenanTurkiye what were they thinking?!

[@metalfuture1982]

I had an 87 dodge Dakota 4x4 . First year of the dodge dakota.

[@andrewolson5471]

@@KenanTurkiye Dodge execs doing copious amounts of cocaine isn't anything new.

[@KenanTurkiye]

ahhh, ok a new day a new thing I learned, cool (not the car).

[@jaaj7381]

It sounds like Doug's mic is also a bizarre failure too lmao

[@sethie_shots]

It’s the stock ‘89 lavaliere mic 😂

[@YourLocalWallstreet]

LOL

[@Tinydevil12]

I've been told he uses the grey plastic mic that came with windows 95

[@broomhwauser3380]

@@Tinydevil12 even though he looks old I don't think Doug was even born in 95

[@jaaj7381]

@@broomhwauser3380 he was born in 88

[@iHaveTheDocuments]

One great thing about dodge that nobody can deny, they make fun crazy stuff. They got balls.

[@zn-n]

My fav brand they still love to have fun and their customers are still as loyal as ever

[@caseyl3789]

Yeah these convertible Dodge Dakota convertibles didn't sell very well in the late 80s and early 90s, but I think that if they came out with a new convertible truck today it would sell, so many more people buy trucks today than back then. Doug is right, trucks have become a lifestyle today. Another thing that hampered this truck, was that the Federal government practically outlawed convertibles in the 70s and by the early 80s there were only a few models on the market. People had kind of forgotten about convertibles until Mustang brought back the mustang convertible in 1983, and then you started seeing more. Today every manufacturer seems to have at least one model that is a convertible. The dakota convertible also cost allot more than just a base model Dakota which could also be the reason why they didn't sell well. Dodge was ahead of it's time on this one. lol.....

[@yankesewt6814]

Pacifica Hellcat when?

[@kmzoilus2486]

@ I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS - yes and those balls were usually in the shop getting fixed and or replaced

[@afcgeo882]

Caliber? Caravan? Shadow? Nitro? Intrepid? Are we talking about the same Dodge? Dodge makes limited production, overpriced versions of cars, sure, but their regular cars are absolute shit.

[@davidevans2585]

“No one will build a convertible truck again” Hello Jeep Gladiator.

[@Anwar74]

I was going to comment the same thing.

[@johnnyforriester7325]

Chevy SSR

[@evilspoons]

@@johnnyforriester7325 The Chevy SSR was literally Doug's other example for why "no one would do it again"

[@FastEddy95]

Some of the high end F150s have a full roof sunroof that folds open in three parts that's practically a convertible too.

[@unwatchablevgaming8897]

Also technically all Land Rover series 1/2 pickups are convertible as well. You just manually take of the hard top or soft top. As well as that most of the other older stile land rovers (suck as dougs old defender) are convertible pickups with optional seats

[@markgold7153]

Hey Doug, a couple of points of info as I fondly remember these when they were new. Convertible trucks were all the rage in the mini-truck world at that time. Most of them had their hard tops stashed in the bed, as opposed to folding cloth tops. My guess is that Chrysler thought they’d capitalize on the craze, and of course the folks at ASC made it happen. The V8 in the Dakota first appeared on the Shelby model when they shoehorned the bigger motor in. It was only after that model went away that the motor became optional on the standard Dakota. As for the um, multi-colored red interior, I think the age of the plastics combined with sun exposure is partially to blame. As I recall, the color was a little more uniform.

[@vtr0104]

Maybe someone can find one of those and manage to fit it one of the convertibles. I'm not sure if it'd be a good idea adding even more torque to such a poorly braced body, but it'd be fun to hear burbly sounds with the top down :P

[@timbrwolf1121]

I love how they say they "shoehorned" the 318 in. The dakota has so much space under the hood. You can literally fit whatever you want in there within reason. 440 swaps are commonplace. Now we are also seeing elephant and hellcat dakotas.

[@markgold2450]

@@timbrwolf1121 that’s what the reviews of the time said about the Shelby Dakota. I’m not saying it wasn’t an easy swap.

[@timbrwolf1121]

@@markgold2450 I know. It just is funny considering what people do with them now.

[@CamaroAmx]

@@timbrwolf1121 they actually had to lengthen the nose of the truck to fit the v8. The Shelby version moved the radiator support forward and replaced the clutch fan with a low profile electric fan to fit the v8. In 1992 dodge made the Dakota slightly longer to fit the v8 with a clutch fan.

[@Hvitserk67]

As a European, I love this period of American cars. They were completely different from European cars and of course that was very interesting, especially when you went on holiday to the states and rented an American car. In this context, I have some experience from, among others, Chrysler LeBaron convertible Mrk.III (1987-1995) (the one with hidden headlights and modern interior). We drove more than 6,000 miles in the western states and I have to say that the car actually performed very well. No faults or shortcomings, well, maybe except that the three-liter Mitsubishi V6 engine was totally powerless at the top of Mt. Evans (14300 feet). However, I do not think many other cars at that time went so much better at that height above sea level. Otherwise, the car went perfectly OK with its 143 HP and Chrysler Ultradrive automatic transmission. The gearbox was undoubtedly perhaps the best thing about the car. Completely different and much more comfortable than the automatic transmission I had at the time in my Mercedes-Benz W201 190E 2.3. However, the overall perceived build quality was a different story, but it was not that bad either. It was mostly about the plastic quality in the interior and some design solutions, but otherwise the car was definitely a pleasant experience.

[@afcgeo882]

Did you long for the Maserati version of it that Doug reviewed?

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

2 words ..George Costanza

[@sergeychmelev5270]

Yeah, those were the times before the Japanese taught the Americans that a car interior does not have to look like a furniture shop with randomly thrown buttons and switches, and that there’s something called ergonomics.

[@Amerikanskis]

@@sergeychmelev5270 then we taught the Japanese how to build a Tacoma big enough for a 6'3 guy in boots so he can go to work. oh wait? we didn't? shoot guess we still have something to learn from each other. Pretty silly when you fit inside a VW Golf but not a Toyota Tacoma. Plenty of tall people in Germany to test Golfs.

[@MrReese]

The LeBaron was a very common car here in Europe as well. And the automatic transmissions of old Benzes are super comfortable unless they were setup wrong (there is something at the transmission itself where you can pull/push to make it shift harder/smoother).

[@CactusBoi420]

This is honestly just bizarre. It screams '80s.

[@stefanbraem]

And Miami Vice... or just Miami 😛

[@CactusBoi420]

@@stefanbraem fr fr 😂 drop top everything

[@TexianTrader]

1983 would have made sense. 1989 was just too late to the party.

[@charlietownend4721]

@@TexianTrader *Started producing them in ‘87.*

[@TexianTrader]

@@charlietownend4721 ‘87 still too late IMO for this type of ride. 82 on the beach 🏖

[@TofersCarTales]

The interior bits and pieces probably were a bit more color matched before decades of fading as anything red tends to do. Just a guess.

[@nervsouly]

Exterior too.

[@canadagood]

I owned a maroon 1989 Dodge Spirit -- which I bought new from the showroom -- and the interior colors and fabric were almost the same as this.

[@Brad772006]

A friend of mine got one of these from his parents as a high school graduation present. It was white with black trim. His was 4x4 with the v6. The truck actually got a lot of attention while driving around with the top down. The truck was later destroyed when he let someone else drive it and ran into a ditch. No rollover, just ripped everything off under the engine and bent the frame. Insurance totalled it.

[@americansmark]

Btw, that "leg vent" is a very PC way of saying "ball cooler". It was quite literally a ball cooler and was one of the greatest automotive innovations. I'd kill for that in a cooled seat package.

[@BasuraTeddy]

Ah yes, that is the TCU (testical cooling unit)

[@ILikeCheesesticks]

They had to discontinue those because people’s lips would get chapped after long drives

[@CamaroAmx]

The vent was for fresh air circulation when it didn’t come with A/C. Quite common up until the 90s. Dodge just didn’t remove them when you optioned for A/C like most car companies.

[@americansmark]

@@CamaroAmx yea. I've seen them elsewhere, but I remember them well from a Shelby Dakota I drove. I think the Shadow ES Turbo Convertible I had for a while came with a ball vent as well, but the AC didn't work and I just kept the top down whenever it was warm enough and didn't need a ball cooler.

[@americansmark]

@@ILikeCheesesticks which lips? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Bzons]

"Have you ever seen a pick-up truck that doubles as a convertible?" "No." "Would you like to?"

[@liambassitt5919]

Hell ya😩

[@jordanbowes5707]

The gladiator?

[@jawndice933]

@@jordanbowes5707 Chrysler crap

[@tylerladerach769]

the jeep kaiser and jeep gladiator

[@THESLlCK]

@@jawndice933 cry more, 90s man

[@FuglyLookingGuy]

Doug - the kind of guy who simulates the wind noise of a convertible, while the truck is parked in a garage.

[@patrickfichter81]

I have a 92 Dakota that looks very similar to this inside. The “newer” Magnum 3.9L has plenty of power for most tasks. The truck has remained all-original and has over 300k miles on the odometer. One quirk I’ve always loved on my Dakota is the two oil fill caps, one on each valve cover.

[@timbrwolf1121]

First thing I did when I bought my 95 a few years back was haul a full load so at least a ton of dirt in the bed to level my buddies yard. Squatted on the shocks. The 3.9 did just fine even with a dying fuel pump, and I didn't break or bend anything.

[@timbrwolf1121]

Currently fully rebuilding the truck. The end goal is to drop a 383 big block from a 68 charger in her and rebrand it the Dakota Super Magnum.

[@lasallematthieu4976]

I have a 93 with a 5.2l magnum. She's not fast but she's powerfull. And I think that she's a better work horse then those huge modern truck.

[@CamaroAmx]

I had 2 95 Dakotas, one v8 and the other with the V6. Both were extended cab 4x4s. In fact the only 2 differences between the trucks were the engine and the exterior color (v8 was black and silver. V6 was green and silver). I wrecked the v8 one. Years later I bought the V6 and it had the same miles on it as my v8 did when I wrecked it. The trans died on the V6 one and it had already been hit (a-hole ran a red light and hit the right front corner of the truck 2 weeks after I bought it. His Ion was totaled. I was able to drive the truck home).

[@kevinjokipii4260]

@@timbrwolf1121 Why not a 360 or a Gen 3 Hemi? Be a lot less nose heavy that way.

[@frankiefourfingers6717]

I love this truck. Designed in the days when accountants didn’t have much power and designers could go nuts

[@andyclark3491]

... and engineers were few!

[@straightbusta2609]

One day a Hyundai Pickup, another day a Dodge convertible pickup, can't wait to see a Shelby F150 on this channel next in the list of weird pickups

[@ultraguy8771]

I'm waiting on a Chevy Avalanche/Escalade EXT review.

[@gbaby4rb64]

I’m waiting on the new auto slingshot

[@THESLlCK]

@@gbaby4rb64 nice

[@mikekatz7840]

How about the cyber truck lol

[@theejoeylee]

I want to see a Shelby Durango..or Daytona IROC R/T with the DOHC 2.2 turbo III

[@mrbdx]

The convertible truck was born out of the 80’s/90’s Lowrider scene in Cali. The late 80’s and early 90’s were full of custom lowered convertible mini trucks with dancing beds, hydraulic suspensions and expensive sound systems. This is why the Dakota Convertible was made.

[@greenstate0fmynd]

Prime example: Masta Ace - "Born to Roll" video.

[@MrProminister]

Exactly, also me as non American remember this model from various rap music MTV's clips. True that you can find it in clip of "Born to Roll" by Masta Ace but also you can spot it on same album cover called "Sitting in Chrome".

[@henryortizjr1533]

Yes ! I remember these times like a bad hangover !

[@2011blueman]

What I love about Doug's channel, being introduced to vehicles that I never even knew existed.

[@YourHotAnimeMom]

*Snorts a line* Dodge: Alright. Hear me out. How about a truck that's a convertible?!

[@stickfights5958]

*Snorts a line* Dodge: yeah what could go wrong?

[@joemiller1329]

Grabs the razor and mirror. Yeah i bet the kids will love it..

[@imrytebeehyneu]

*Snorts a fat one* Dodge: We'll be the first. Even if it doesn't sell, imports will say " they're not the only one that could do weird shit. Will whip out one of ours, but better...."

[@KTMcaptain]

Jeep makes a convertible truck with a large roll bar that outsells this entire truck every month.

[@kiddsosa5906]

Lmfao I can see this being done in a comedy skit about Dodge's internal business meetings 😆😅🤣

[@STKSOUND]

looks rad as fuck, one of those coke-fueled crazy 80's ideas. i want one

[@nemanjatosovic]

Lucky you this one is for sale

[@STKSOUND]

@@nemanjatosovic sadly i live in europe

[@THESLlCK]

@@STKSOUND the jeep gladiator sells in europe as far as I know

[@neovenom9833]

@@STKSOUND pretty sure you can import it. I don't think Cars & Bids are US only.

[@gafakyusef6201]

And we don’t mean the soft drink 😂

[@rushtest4echo737]

"The weirdness appeals to me" We know, Doug, we know.

[@speedracerfx]

Doug opines about how popular camper shells were in the 80's, but doesn't know about the mini sport pick up craze of the 80's? Sometimes Doug is really ignorant about certain things, and this is one of them.

[@TheBillyarnezz]

EXACTLY! I almost lost it when he started talking about the ground effects like they were something out of the ordinary. He must've been born in the 90s.

[@govinlock8568]

@@TheBillyarnezz He was born in 1988

[@TheBillyarnezz]

@@govinlock8568 makes sense

[@jeffrehbine8530]

No one would ever put a camper topper on a convertible.

[@speedracerfx]

@@jeffrehbine8530 No one said someone would

[@stevesoup2552]

Isn’t the Gladiator technically a convertible truck?

[@dmstucky]

I myself was surprised Doug didn’t mention the Gladiator either…

[@Camperosyyc]

Yup, also foot well vents were on every truck at the time...

[@Charlesb88]

@@Camperosyyc They weren’t on EVERY truck of the mid to late 80’s as my dad had a mid-80’s Ford F-250 Twin Cab truck and it didn’t have a foot well vent. Anyways, They may have been a commit feature back then on trucks but not universal.

[@graumail]

@@Charlesb88 one more that had them was the S10. Really handy too when you’re rolling down a dirt road in the summer with no AC

[@Sayua-chan]

Aaand the H1 Hummer

[@shmeevann]

This is the ultimate car for Doug to review.

[@CactusBoi420]

Every time he reviews a bizarre vehicle there's always this comment 🙄

[@sethie_shots]

Could’ve just been called the Dodge Quirk

[@straightbusta2609]

@@sethie_shots Doug Dakota

[@sethie_shots]

@@straightbusta2609 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@fl350r]

The custom mini truck era was still going on during the release of this truck. Convertible conversions where pretty popular.That little tidbit puts it in a little of a better perspective as to why Dodge put this out..

[@donaldsouthern5662]

Being a convertible, the sun would fade each of the red materials at different rates. That's why there are different shades of red. My 89 Mustang had the same problem.

[@HFV_Junkyardin]

Also stiff you touch always fades more. Like the steering wheel rim

[@MMM18092]

Fading would be much more uneven, this looks like it was built that way.

[@Stressless2023]

@@MMM18092 It wasn't built that way. Have owned a dozen old droptops since the early 90's and this type of color fading happens on all unless they're garage queens.

[@MMM18092]

@@Stressless2023 I’m sure fading is a big factor and I can’t speak for this particular model but if you look at old Motorweek reviews from the 1980s, a lot of US cars had different shades of one colour in the interior.

[@nickm5419]

just paint those pieces all black

[@win25041994]

With the gladiators selling like hot cakes now maybe Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep wasn't too off with this idea after all. It just took another 30 years for people to start buying them.

[@mixnation79]

Well they were the worst selling Jeep until the pandemic hit so I think the jury's still out on this one lol

[@automation7295]

@CSavage Wow you're REALLY wishing death on people for owning cars you think are shit. How would YOU feel if people call your car a piece of shit and want to murder you?

[@c4onmylip]

@@mixnation79 the new gladiator was never the worst selling jeep. They came out late in the year and still sold like 40k of them. I think the actual worst selling jeep was the patriot.

[@petequinones3454]

Jeep has been building truck for close to 50yrs. Even made mini trucks like the 80's Comanche, basically a Cherokee with a bed. Half unibody half body on frame. Many people made them convertible. Mazda b series trucks were custom convertible with Testarossa body kits. Everyone was making minitrucks with convertibles at the time.

[@tmo2798]

They sold less than 80,000 in 2020.

[@aaronbehindbars]

Regarding the lack of headrests, trucks were not required to have head restraints until the early 90's. Passenger cars had to have them starting in 1968.

[@Midlife_Crisis_]

So you are saying the research HAD been done, and Doug just doesn't know wtf he is talking about. Not surprised

[@Dankcatvacs]

so glad my dad's 94 has bucket seats

[@lethargicstove2024]

@@Midlife_Crisis_ jeez chill

[@themagicboy6548]

@@lethargicstove2024 doug now knowing what he's talking about is somewhat common

[@squidiz496]

@@Midlife_Crisis_ That is life. We all make mistakes and mis speak.

[@sastrinidis]

This is the era of cars when I grew up. I can still smell this interior.

[@kevinjokipii4260]

This looks like an interior that would smell of Newports and MGD

[@mws3779]

This has got to be one of the most bizarre Dodge vehicles I've ever seen. Although I am guessing that the interior colors matched at one time. The materials seem to be severely sun faded.

[@MrBlaze256]

Yeah its easy to see that seat belt is faded.

[@brentboswell1294]

I'd qualify that to "mostly matched." I recall that the less neutral interior colors, like reds and blues, had some color matching issues when different materials were used (e.g. the upholstery never quite matched the color on the vinyl in the door cards, but it was close enough for 99% of the American car buying public).

[@gregorsamsa1364]

@@brentboswell1294 it wasn't supposed to be all exactly the same color. they were supposed to be complementary reds(or blues, etc). at least a little bit of contrast is needed- much easier on the eyes- especially with a red theme

[@briancook1400]

Colors fade at different rates depending on the surface. The leather will fade at a different rate than the plastic even though they were probably the same color when new. Over time the plastic bumpers on my red BMW have faded differently that the metal panels and it get more noticeable every year.

[@CAESARbonds]

Even with black you might get some shades of grey if the car is that old.

[@blukompressor]

My parents 1989 Grand Voyager growing up way this maroon inside and I can confirm these colors are matched back then lol

[@analogidc1394]

Good point!

[@toof987]

yeah i thought doug would know this, but apparently not

[@pinut187]

@@toof987 he does, but he seems to play stupid on so many things so that people comment on it. More comments is better.

[@harivalive]

This is something ZZ Top would have had in the 80s to transport their gear😅

[@RO-we7hv]

RIP Dusty Hill

[@mrdunngoofd]

Doug Ive been watching your stuff for years, you are the man.

[@natpaul81]

Just a few weeks ago an old guy in my neighborhood starting driving a Dakota convertible. I thought it was custom.... I'd never seen or heard of this truck in my life and now Doug is doing a video on one. Crazy!!

[@SouthSoundRailfan]

FINALLY SOMEONE NOTICES THE DAKOTA CONVERTIBLE! These things are soooo rare! Let me explain a couple things though: The 3.9 was very underpowered, Because it wasnt the 3.9 Magnum. It was an LA Block. The LA Engines were VERY Underpowered, Unlike the Magnum lineup, Which came out later. "Quality Engineered" Very true. Older Dodge's from this time period can really take a beating. Hopefully this old Dak gets a good owner!

[@Daedalus-BC308]

Doug mentioned the Dakota convertible in his Chevrolet SSR video a while back. I'm just glad to see that he finally got around making a video on one.

[@americansmark]

Reliable, indeed. My neighbor used a later model of this generation as a farm truck and it pulled a hay wagon like a Cummins.

[@RedLP5000S]

Wasn't the engine supplied by Mitsu or Mazda?

[@SouthSoundRailfan]

@@RedLP5000S Nope. The Dodge Dakota (1st Gen 87-96), Came with either a 2.2 K Series I4, A 2.5 K I4, A 2.5 AMC I4, A 3.9 LA/Magnum V6, And a 5.2 LA/Magnum V8. The LA's and Magnum's were made by Chrysler, And so was the K Series I4.

[@SouthSoundRailfan]

@@americansmark Dakota's have got balls, I tell you what. Don't underestimate a Dakota. They put down power like a stabbed rat.

[@redbullrobert]

Sweet God. Whoever the seller is, kudos for keeping this car clean!

[@straightbusta2609]

It's isn't clean, but it is well used. Both are good tbh

[@Dankcatvacs]

@@straightbusta2609 hey its an old truck also its straight

[@screamindemon71]

My shop teacher back in high school had two of these: a V6 manual 2WD and an auto 4x4. The 4x4 he bought new and was kept in showroom condition. The manual one was bought from a guy who was getting an R/T when they first came out. He ended up swapping in a mild 5.2 Magnum, a rebuilt transmission, and a custom 9 1/4 rear axle with a limited slip differential. That truck absolutely ripped.

[@varadleleot2084]

Gotta admire DOUG DEMURO's consistency with videos. Just so many videos coming out

[@TheLegoPerson]

This thing looks absolutely WILD... I want one.

[@Chiefbadbruuuuuh]

BIG NEWS… this truck is being listed on CARS & BIDS… and it can be yours!

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

@Jonathan Losito Cant afford. All my money is invested.

[@josephpgamingcontent5977]

Convertible Trucks should make a comeback! They're so cool!

[@THESLlCK]

they already did? Jeep?

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

@@THESLlCK Not the same thing.

[@gnrfan713]

@@fortheloveofnoise9298 how is it not the same thing? The gladiator comes with a convertible soft top.

[@Zark-Muckerberg]

@@gnrfan713 The Jeep "Gladiator" is just a modified wrangler. I think he's talking about a convertible of an existing/new pickup.

[@gnrfan713]

Yea I see what u sayin

[@TheBattleMaster100]

Jeez thanks for this video Doug. My late dad had the camper version of this. Brings back alot of memories.

[@stevev2474]

I always enjoy this guy's reviews. He finds all the strange quirks in these cars.

[@maxoman089]

As mentioned on Lochdown, the entire supply of burgundy in the world was used in James May's Cadillac, however, the leftovers were used for the interiors of this truck.

[@Dankcatvacs]

it was 80-90s american auto manufactures loved blood red interiors

[@chrismagee-jenks8115]

Gangsta rappers: I got front, back and side to side Chrysler: Oh like this stereo joystick?

[@G_____]

😂

[@BlendedFamilyMan]

Then I let the Alpine play...

[@roddydykes7053]

*Bumping new shit by D O U G I E*

[@805NAVE]

This one I have been WAITING for !!

[@jeffrehbine8530]

So...I have owned a 2wd and still own the 4x4 version of the Dakota convertible. I have driven and restored many other trucks. Despite Doug's low score and unrealistic modern expectations for it, my 89 4x4 Vert is the one antique classic truck I still had to go back and buy again. Smiles are seen every time I drive it. A pleasure to drive on paved roads, steering can be tightened with a single bolt twist. Doug,thanks for your creative review. Keep watching your comments/views on this post because I really think demand on these rare rigs is about to pop. Pro tip for you Doug: when driving an 80s lower hp automatic trans, shift that bad boy manually using that column shifter so you can wake up it's torque range. It will become a different animal for you.

[@tims_builds]

"no one will try a convertible truck again" May I present for your consideration the Jeep Gladiator

[@brian5o]

My thoughts exactly.

[@subtlez28]

Almost exactly what I planned to say. Figured someone else had the same thought.

[@XMarkxyz]

How cool would've been a "floating" headrest attacched to the rollbar?

[@automation7295]

A "floating" headrest attached to the rollbar would swing and could injure people.

[@XMarkxyz]

@@automation7295 floating in the sense that it is not attached to the seat, obviously it is still fixed but it seems to be suspended

[@automation7295]

@@XMarkxyz Suspended headrest would still likely injury people. A headrest attached to the seat would less likely injury people as suspended headrest would swing around. Have you every felt worry driving under a suspended traffic light during high winds? Suspended traffic lights in USA are held by a single wire and could fall on your windshield, injuring you.

[@ShivamPatel-et4kk]

@@automation7295 i don't think you understand what he's saying lol, a fixed in place headrest that is suspended from the roll bar will not swing, it's not on a hinge, it's on a welded piece...

[@pennygadget7328]

@@automation7295 floating like a "floating" bathroom vanity. It's still rigidly affixed, just not where you expect it to be

[@owenanderson5224]

I’m 16 and just bought my first car. A 1989 dodge Dakota convertible 3.9 V6, 5 speed manual. Saw this video and fell in love. It’s been treating me great so far but had to put lots of work into it. Just waiting for summer. It’s not the best winter vehicle ever but because of this video. I’m now the proud owner of a 89 Dakota convertible!

[@mymomsaysimcool9650]

I dig it. I miss my dad’s 74 Blazer with the removable top. I wish that would come back, that and T-top coupes.

[@BiggusJakeus]

“There’s no convertible pickup trucks anymore” Jeep Gladiator: “am I a joke to you?”

[@BlackJeepConvertible]

and mytop just announced their powered soft top for gladiators

[@user-ry3no8mc6z]

That's a glorified jeep with the bed attached to the back. And the worst? If you crash and just destroy the axle and order a new one in the USA it doesn't exist and it gets totalled instantly. Like Hoovies garage unfortunately experienced.

[@ivanlowjones]

@@user-ry3no8mc6z So its not classified a pickup truck?

[@adamlewellen5081]

Yes you are...

[@joetz1]

@@user-ry3no8mc6z I think that’s a very unusual situation that won’t last. COVID has caused all kinds of bizarre shortages, including car parts.

[@nasanasa3]

"Nobody's gonna try [making a convertible truck] again" Gladiator: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@JPT_Jpt]

And sort of the bronco

[@Lorentz_Driver]

*Hummer EV has entered the chat*

[@Zark-Muckerberg]

@@JPT_Jpt I wouldn't consider the Bronco a truck. But it is definite more of seperate vehicle than the Gladiator is.

[@JPT_Jpt]

@@Zark-Muckerberg so I’m that weird guy that considers the bronco a truck

[@VincentLoGreco]

Ha, I remember those. I also used to own an ASC convertible from Dodge, the 1991 Shadow ES. Fun car with a similar manual roof, plastic rear window and the same type of doors with fake vent windows. A friend had the regular Dakota sport from the same era. Loved those dash mounted cup holders that I wished my 89 Aries I drove at the time had. Thanks for the fun review.

[@theprairietinkerer]

Fantastic. Back when I started driving, my Dad let me use his 1988 Dakota. It was a fleet vehicle for our local power company. It was a 2WD, automatic with the 3.9L V6, dual fuel. It had the factory gasoline system, but also had a propane addition installed. At the time when I drove it, propane was 19¢/litre. In the summer when hot, $20 would last a month. But then in the winter, only a few days, depending on how many colds start I did. As some other commenters have mentioned, this truck was tough AF. As a teen driver and the delusion that I was invincible, the truck should have been orange with a big "01" on the doors considering the stunts I pulled with it. I miss it...

[@asmith7094]

This content is way better than the Gt version of some sports car we have seen 100 other versions of

[@andysedgley]

"...of which we have seen 100 other versions". But I gave a like to compensate for my pedantry.

[@lordwalker71]

Car manufacturers just took a lot more risks back in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s , now they pretty much stick with what sells really well with Is basically SUV’s and pick up trucks. A lot of cars and trucks in the 70’s 80’s and 90’s had those vent things that you pulled out and it let air flow into the cabin. I suspect that the part of the steering that your hands touch has discoloured over the years and was probably closer in colour to the centre of the steering wheel when new.

[@bIoodypingu]

Because no one buys them... Why do people expect car companies to develop cars hardly anyone is going to buy versus cars they know they'll make money on.

[@labornurse]

The convertible segment as a whole has shrunk with every decade. Sadly, because to me they are like going on a coaster ride without the upside down action (if your lucky).

[@TenOfZero1]

@@bIoodypingu exactly, they experiment less because frankly most of the things to experiment with have been, and the stricter safety regulations also limits what they can do.

[@straightbusta2609]

If there's anything they learnt, these markets are niche and not profitable. Why waste money to be "risk" taking when you're most likely gonna take a loss

[@phasmata3813]

@@labornurse People used to drive more slowly more often. I'm not saying this is the whole situation, but I think it is very relevant to the decline of the convertible. I also feel like driving as a pastime--driving for the sake of the experience--is much less popular today, and when someone does drive as a pastime, their enjoyment more often seems to depend more heavily on speed than on enjoying the surrounding environment. With regular people's vehicular experiences being 70+ mph on a highway or

[@Stormtrooper-oc4vn]

The Collab I've always wanted Doug demuro with Static Shock!!!!!!

[@paullewis7499]

I was a young man in the mid/late 80s and was really into the mini-truck customization scene at the time. I can remember looking through the 'custom' magazines of the era and there were several companies selling kits to modify your mini-truck into a convertible. So, Chrysler/Dodge didn't so much 'come up with something original out of the blue' as they saw a possible general consumer market for convertible trucks because of the customizers. Unfortunately, by the time Chrysler/Dodge got into the game with their factory conversion version, most in the custom scene was moving away for convertible trucks because they were 'not so original'. That means they weren't so unique anymore....and THAT is anathema to 'custom' trucks.

[@kevinnorris6558]

Feel like the all-red interior actually looks cool, even if none of the hues match each other. Modern interiors look so dull in comparison.

[@imscared6]

Fairly certain that the different hues is intentional. If it was all the same hue, it would look even more odd tbh

[@jameslong7672]

Actually all the reds matched much better when the truck was new, time and weathering have changed the shades of the different materials.

[@anthonyitaliano7316]

@@jameslong7672 You sure? I looked up the older Dakotas with red interior and all the photos have them mismatching and not really matching the red exterior.

[@philtheairplanemechanic]

They probably used to match and are now sun bleached. Especially the seat belts and wheel. That wheel used to be one color! Lil tip for anyone with an 80s American car like this: you can get leather dye to match the hue online and gently sand and dye it and it'll look pretty mint.

[@jfank43]

@@philtheairplanemechanic BINGO. You can see the bottom and back of the wheel and see the fading. Red fades faster than any other color too.. GM red interiors usually turn orange on the seat tops. Doug has always been a bit unfair to Chrysler products.

[@iot1452]

I like this…. A LOT. How sick would a FACTORY lowered, single cab f150 convertible be.. can even be electric now! F150 lightning convertible.

[@DocDewey]

Id love it

[@ivannarvaez367]

Ahh the Murano Cross-cabriolet, Doug needs to update that review. I laughed so much with that video 😂

[@erickfruin223]

The headrest thing completely killed it for me. R.I.P. my neck 💀

[@rileyvreeke812]

Doug: "Nobody's going to make a convertible pick up truck again." Jeep: "hold my beer" Jeep: *makes gladiator*

[@johnnymichael1804]

And Hummer.... 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@aislingmairead4939]

Came here to say this lol

[@yankees6970]

And Bronco

[@85priesty]

Yeah, but having no door frames does make a big difference in feel, ie...when the Wrangler went from half height doors...the “vibe” definitely changes.

[@krazygerman613]

Not to mention the Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler that came out a few years before it.

[@jarinazf9683]

I had a 1988 Dodge Daytona. The inside was almost exactly the same. Everything was red. The headliner, the dash, the seats, the velour fabric, everything. Looking at the inside of this was very nostalgic. Believe it or not, that Daytona ran like a top. I had it for 12 years and never had to do any major repairs to it. My brother had a regular 89 Dakota pick-up and had constant mechanical issues with it.

[@johnnylingo9384]

I had a 89 shadow es 2.5 turbo. purchased it at 25k miles and sold it at 105k miles. Loved that car. zero issues except for replacing expensive ass eagle gt+4 brand tires. Had same radio, steering wheel, and ac controls as this Dakota.

[@jarinazf9683]

@@davidc.4972 No it was not. At least not mine. It was built by Chrysler/Dodge and had a Chrysler engine. Mine had the straight 4 cylinder and was an automatic. It was not going to win any races but it looked great and ran great. It was a 2 door hatch-back with small back seats but for all intents and purposes it was a two seater. Outside of the things that normally wear out (brakes, shocks, tires, wipers) the only things I ever had to replace was the radiator $80 (I don't know why I remember the cost but I do) and the water pump $60. The radiator sprung a leak on the side tank and they were plastic so could not be soldered. Had to be replaced but it was cheap. The bearings on the water pump went out. Both happened years apart. The engine sat sideways and the car had a long nose so it was super easy to work on.

[@jarinazf9683]

@@johnnylingo9384 I loved that Daytona. I bought mine with 32K miles. It had 122K when I decided to get something else. I gave it to my girlfriend to park for when her daughter would be old enough to drive. The car did not have a scratch or dent on it and everything worked. But then my gfs car blew and she started driving it. She put another 60K miles on it. The only thing she had to do to it was get an alignment. It had the flip-up headlights that seemed to break on every car that had them back then but the ones on that car never did. It's funny about the tires. Mine came with those same Eagle tires and every one of them had the belts break. I put 4 more on and they barely lasted 2 years. I ended up going to a place that sold used Michelin Highway Patrol tires for like $15 each. Those things lasted forever on my car. The interior of the Dakota in Doug's video really makes me long for that car. I loved it.

[@tona6g72]

I had a 93 Daytona but my prized dodge was a 92 Plymouth duster. 3.0l 10:1 compression pistons, Ported heads 3 angle valve job, crower regrind cam, ported upper & lower intake, 58mm throttle body Knife edged, underdrive pulley, aluminum flywheel. Car was gutted and had lowering springs with adjustable struts plus a couple other small stuff. I do know that it ran high 13s in the 1/4 mile. I was going to put a full standalone ECU on it such as megasquirt but a buddy of mine crashed the car. I bet it probably would have ran low 13s. Street tires. High 12s with slicks. Loved that car. Sigh... Not very quick like today's cars. Hell, a 2015 Toyota Camry with the V6 will run a 14 second flat.

[@fourhill]

I still have my 90 Dakota SE Convertible, 5 speed stick, sliver w/gray interior (with headrests) that I bought new in 1990 because all the other convertibles were too cramped for a big guy like me. I pulled a 26ft travel trailer around the whole country with the top down most of the time. It now has 254,000 miles on it and I have always gotten comments on it when I drive it. I've bought many more new cars and trucks since but I can't let go of this truck.

[@babayega_]

You should make a video on it

[@jeffrehbine8530]

Love my 89 4x4 Dakota Convertible too. My all time favorite truck out of 9 different trucks, including a 2wd Dakota convertible 12 years back. Wish I could find that manual transmission you've got there.

[@iTeachMyToast]

I REALLY like that lip kit. It looks surprisingly good

[@bindingcurve]

"they are not going to do another convertible truck"...…Gladiator.....

[@tylerladerach769]

and the kaiser

[@tylerladerach769]

older but much cooler

[@sukhdevr3489]

@@tylerladerach769 Wow that looks really cool. Made in 1967 but looks better than a crapoy Gladiator lol.

[@lucasbarnard2257]

I saw one of these in my town like 2 weeks ago and my thought was “Doug would review it” 😂

[@sethie_shots]

@Sidemen 🅥 🚨 Rick rollin is sooo old 😂

[@Shadow_Wolf_190]

You know too much you’re too dangerous to be kept alive

[@sushi777300]

I'm waiting for the Citroën 2CV, the Renault R4 and the Renault Avantime 😊 Maybe Doug should do a big tour around Europe for some of our quirky cars so he doesn't need to find them in the US

[@huseyinuguralacatli5064]

fiat 126

[@mmmark8737]

A friend of mine had one of these in high school. Man, we thought we were so ef'n cool driving around with the top down in the middle of winter. It's a trip to see the familiar interior.

[@AJ-is7iv]

I'd love to have one of these, not as a daily but definitely too own

[@maxusgintus8160]

Just drive it every once in a while. My brother had a dakota (not a convertible) that sat for 2 months and it is not running right

[@ClassicHLP2000]

Now we gotta get Doug behind the wheel of a GMC Syclone

[@Andrew4181975]

Now that was a helluva mini truck, and finally, someone spelled it correctly.

[@petefrenzel7296]

Another weird truck like the Lincoln Blackwood! :) Thanks Doug!

[@franknedobity2757]

There’s a guy in his 70’s around here that has one in red, I’ve seen him driving it since the late 90’s. So cool to see you review it. Such an obscure truck. Reminds me of the model T cabriolet pick up.

[@CamaroAmx]

I tried to buy one years ago when nobody cared about them. It was at a used car lot. He said no as it was his personal vehicle. He paid $5k for it. It was cleaner then this one. He also had a Shelby Dakota as well.

[@camogap7392]

Doug is the type of guy to cool his engine by watering it with a GT3RS watering can

[@baconsarny-geddon8298]

Damn, it used to be that Doug's whole comment section started with "Dougs the type of guy...." Now, this is the only one. Pour one out for the "Doug's the type of guy" meme

[@ericervin4778]

I remember when this truck came out. I also remember that it was introduced due to a customizing craze that had been going on for years in which the cool kids would take their pickup trucks and have the tops chopped off. At that time, you saw customized S-10s, Rangers, etc., etc., etc., with their tops chopped off.

[@YesThatReallyDidHappen]

Yes the mini-truck scene is why this truck exists

[@BenjaminInLosAngeles]

Here in LA it was all about Datsun/Nissans

[@sterlingarcher7807]

Ratical Tops - You could buy the kit from them, cut off your roof and have a hard top convertible. And yes, it leaked like a sieve 😂 But they were beyond cool back in the day…

[@ericervin4778]

@@sterlingarcher7807 LOL. :)

[@joecool9739]

The Wrangler and Bronco are essentially "drop top trucks" The Murano convertible and Range Rover Evoque convertible were spiritual successors to these vehicles. I just hope that the new Hyundai Santa Cruz is eventually offered in convertible form I feel that one day convertible trucks/SUVs will be popular...we already see the popularity of SUV coupes and this isnt far from that concept

[@JeremyHale141]

"coupe" suvs havent taken off and i assume they never will. convertible suvs...well....why would you even think that? what's wrong with your brain? do you have any idea why people buy suvs??

[@rubenlay610]

@@JeremyHale141 people buy SUVs because they're too stupid to buy a sedan or station wagon.

[@derekleffler1096]

Bruuuuuuh the video made my day, I got 3 Dakota and love them all...

[@Redsox-fq7cx]

My dad had 3 of the hard top trucks in his life time. Im very happy you decided to review it, gives me nostalgia

[@edrose2772]

A mini-truck fad started in California in the mid 1980's where people were customizing Datsun and Toyota pickups. Cutting the top off to make a convertible became quite popular in California during this fad, especially given the fantastic weather in California. I believe under Iacocca's leadership in Chrysler he was willing to gamble and take risk and offered a factory convertible pickup in order to cash in on this fad.

[@88Hellrazr]

Like seriously, over look a whole period of epicness!

[@edrose2772]

@@88Hellrazr I graduated from high school in 1984 and the late 1980's had the Nissan 200SX, Toyota Celica, Supra (before it became unaffordable), Mitsubishi Starion, Mazda RX7, Isuzu Impulse, Subaru XT, it was an exciting renaissance from the malaise era of the 1970s.

[@alooshalshammari5915]

Thank you for the work and efforts you put to make these fabulous videos. I have one cons: pointing with your finger although your voice description is enough

[@SonicBoone56]

Hell yes, was wondering when one of these would get reviewed.

[@greengabe5]

When I was looking for my first car I found one in my hometown. It was black with gold lettering, very cool. I’m happy I got my 2019 RT tho, gotta love dodge💜

[@DrJack144]

That’s a pretty sweet looking truck. Let’s all at least admit that

[@irishuwould5185]

Mexicans would agree

[@DrJack144]

@@irishuwould5185 lol

[@emmoparnirvna9833]

Facts

[@ParNT.06013]

I'm sure someone has already beaten me to these points, but... 1. The cable on each side of the top, on the inside and attached to the roll bar, is what keeps the top from entering the bed when folded down. Take the bed cover off, drop the top, and you'll see the folded top is suspended and "hovers" over the bed. The bed can be fully utilized with the top down. 2. Why no mention of the Jeep Gladiator? In the correct form (soft top) it's literally a crew cab convertible truck and, while it's not construction grade, it is perfect for homeowners and light truck users who want... a convertible truck. Good stuff, and keep the quirky reviews coming!

[@nashratify]

I've liked it since it came out. Thank you for doing this review

[@TylerRich]

Been hoping you'd feature one of these for years! Thanks Doug!

[@myrrhavm]

Late eighties was the end of the mini truck club era. Had friends that did T-tops on their mini trucks and cab top removals. And with no roll bars. Toyota and Nissan were selling already lowered trucks with different paint schemes. Hardbody came out then too. Toyota even had a different truck bed available then that was swoopy. During that time people wanted the American bed over the Japanese bed because it was rolled over with tie downs on the inside not on the outside.

[@AgSherr]

I cut my 90 Isuzu P'up back in the day, and I still have it.

[@myrrhavm]

@@AgSherr Cool! Truck runs were fun. Wish I kept even one of the cool cars I had back then. Got a buddy that still has his slammed Chevy Luv with a V8 swap from high school.

[@AgSherr]

@@myrrhavm I was the only female of about 4 Static P'up owner's then. Only Radical Top in the bunch too. And yeah, I got tired of the build like they did but I just garaged it until the feeling returned. Shooooot! I still have my Big Wheel and my Schwinn too...lol...I hold on to everything with Wheels.

[@joeyjohnson7795]

I had a 95 Dakota Sport (obviously not a convertible haha) 3.9L auto rwd. In the same multi color red. Kind of a trip down memory lane. Although my 95 had a lot more chrome haha. Great video.

[@Halliday7895]

i had to check my playback speed to see if i had it on faster that normal but no...Doug is just that animated and excited about this truck

[@Tinydevil12]

The first thing Doug notices in an interior is never the first thing I notice 😟

[@MrFitness94]

It’s probably different *being* there as opposed to seeing it on a screen

[@theozank853]

On another topic Toyota needs to reintroduce the removable canopy to the 4Runner, like the 1st Gen's had.

[@jessgalliher6138]

My Grandfather fixed up a 90's Dakota sport convertible and i was fortunate to receive it as a gift. Super cool truck and it gets a lot of attention (mostly from older gentlemen) , I plan on keeping it for a while

[@fdmackey3666]

I know where two such trucks are today. Both trucks are part of a "quirky" private vehicle collection here in South Carolina. The jet black on black Dakota started off in life mechanically identical to the one in your video but in 2004 was "refreshed and modified" to the owners desires with a 4X4 set up, 4in lift, a high end repaint (jet black again), interior redo (black, high back leather seats, etc.), a Magnum V-8 with a custom drive train, chrome step rails, a custom removable fiberglass top which replaced the convertible top, custom made, blacked out four spoke wheels (visualize the Chrysler emblem), and a custom sound system. That truck still has under 100,000 miles on it and makes the rounds of some exclusive car and truck shows from time to time here on the east coast. The second one is a dead ringer for the one in your video and now has around 300,000 miles on it and is used on the owners cattle farm as a work truck. Frankly I thought the owner was pulling a lot of folk's legs, mine included, when he insisted that the Dakota had EVER had a convertible top since the trucks, which sold very well in this area including the 2001 one I purchased used in 2008, were all the same in that they were pure factory models. Thanks for finally convincing me, via your video, that there were really convertible Dakotas produced and sold through dealerships.

[@Lonnie_Johnson]

Just like a mullet. Business in the front, party in the back! Pretty cool car if it was up to me.

[@chrisswimm4948]

Who the heck knew that there is a song named Doug Demuro?!?! . "DOUG Demuro" by EGO My day is made!

[@bobotte3084]

I just discovered this truck recently and im happy that this video is 2 days old. 😂

[@mrnobody-yq2nm]

I know of 3 89 convertibles in my area. My dad had one growing up. Loved that truck. Almost sounded chain driven. They had a 4x4 version too!