I bought a 1988 Dakota 4x4 (standard cab) brand new. It had the V-6 engine with throttle-body fuel injection and 3.55 gear ratio. I liked the truck a lot; it was a nice size, handled well, and I liked the interior layout. My main complaint was that it was underpowered, especially when towing.
I upgraded to a used 1992 Dakota 4x4 club cab. It has the magnum V-8 engine with 3.92 gear ratio. Accelerates very well, and I'm pleased with the towing capability.
The first Dakota got around 18.5 mpg on the highway, and was constantly going in and out of overdrive on hills. I hated to see what the new Dakota's mileage would be considering the larger engine, heavier truck (extended cab), and 3.92 gear ratio. Turns out, it got a little over 21 mpg on the highway on its first trip, and the transmission stayed in overdrive except on really steep hills. I didn't believe the gas guage, so I stopped and filled up with it showing 1/2 tank since I just KNEW that it had to be approaching empty. Accordingly, I poured gas all over side of the truck as it overflowed out the filler tube. The mileage is now down to around 18.5 on the highway; this is either due to the truck's older age or the camper shell that I put on it. One day I'll pull the camper shell off when I take a trip in it so that I know.
Troubles? I had to replace both Dakota's transmissions approaching 100k. No other significant trouble. I still have the 1992 and it is approaching 130k, and I still think that it is a very good truck overall. I bought an old beat-up dually flat bed dump truck to handle the really heavy duty local hauling / towing needs (like when I rent the excavator from the local rental shop and they require a FULL sized truck to tow it).
Lesson Learned on transmission: When you have to rebuild or replace your transmission (MOPAR, GM, or FORD), if you are going to pay someone to fix it for you, consider a FACTORY rebuilt transmission. My transmission cost just under $2400 installed in a local shop, but came with a 36,000 mile / 36 month warrantly good at any Dodge/Chrysler / Plymouth dealer nationwide.
Kelvin
