Explanation of the various generations of Dakotas.

[lil red rick]

Guys, I'm sure you have all covered this at length; but, What are the different generations of Dakotas? Secondly, What were the big changes or differances between them? I would like a better understanding of them so if you need a transfer case, trans, front or rear differential, or are looking for a V8 or dare I say Hemi, I would have an idea what years would or would not interchange. I want to keep my old '92 extended cab 4x4, but would like some more/newer power and maybe an improvement in mileage..... Rick.

[JVMopar]

Gen I 1987 to 1990
Gen II 1991-1996
Gen III 1997-2004
Gen IV 2005-present.

Some here are gonna that 1991-1996 dakota's were also Gen I, but they had a different front clip and different frame. The frame is a couple of inches longer in the front to accomidate the new front clip.

I doubt that you are going to get any huge mileage benifit from swapping to a more modern engine. My '92 dakota with a 360 in it gets 17mpg on the highway.

[Walkercolt]

The GenII "change" was the "Magnum" engine introduction. You made a typo one GenIII's, '04 was the last Gen III body style, and the more "angular" GenIV's were '05's. Some people refer to the first models of the Magnum engines without port fuel injection as "Gen 1.5's" with some justification. The body styling "notes" between Gen I's and Gen II's are the GenII's have angled headlight lenses, where the GenI's were practically flat across the entire front. I have sales brouchures for all four types, but right now, I can't post them

[lil red rick]

Thanks guys! I must admit that I had found a 5.7L Hemi and trans, and thought about trying to shoehorn that darn thing in there. But I figured the transfer case would fall apart when it saw a Hemi in front of it! I loved that 2000 Durango we had, with the 5.9L. It got reasonable mileage with the cruise, but we had to drive it everyday and that was the nail in its' coffin. The old 3.9L, in my Dakota,is getting tired at 192K, and I wanted V8 torque; but don't want to plan my driving around the gas stations!? Rick.

[JVMopar]

Put a 318 in it and some 3.21 gears, and you'll get 20mpg.

Reason for a 318 is that it will bolt directly to the trans you have without balance weight concerns. Just need a 318, flex plate, computer, and wires for 2 more injectors.

I can even mail you some terminals for the connector.