I love the 1998-2003 Dodge Dakota R/Ts. They are a perfect mix of modern and old-school Mopar muscle that was packaged up and promptly ignored as a sticker package by many. Sure, the original 250 horsepower rating was eye-roll worthy, but the block was the same LA 360ci lump that had been in production since the early Seventies, which meant that a little time in the machine shop would net you a 408ci stroker motor that was something to honestly fear. Backed by the overdrive version of what had been the 727 TorqueFlite, the 46RE and set to go with a 3.90 ring in the axle, a properly warmed up Dakota would sneak up on the unsuspecting Mustang, Camaro, or whatever else was stupid enough to try their luck out and promptly kick a mud hole through their chest like the Dodge Demon 340 used to do back when…small truck, stout small block, and gearing for days make for a beautiful combination!
This particular example is a 2000 Dakota R/T owned by Mario Sperto, Jr. and was caught beating up the other kids at Byron Dragway recently. The 408 stroker is present and has nitrous, just because. Running 10.85@123MPH in the quarter in a truck that’s a rear tire swap from street legal? Yeah, that makes us smile.
Mmmmmmm Dakooooota….
must. resist. temptation.
Do not resist. Best “almost modern” platform for going fast and hauling the goods yet! A fuel injected muscle car with a huge trunk and rack and pinion steering…Bought mine in 98 and Im still in love. Drag race, Autocross, cruise and haul 1200lbs of stainless steel around all year long.
Been looking for a Dakota x-tra cab for a while. Can’t find one that isn’t beat to death or rusted.
Owned a early 90 dakota, dropping in a 3:90 gear, had the tranny gone through, and loaded up mopar parts and ECU and other necessities, plus a bell tech dropped susp, it was by far the funnest driver I have ever owned, god awful quick. It was the perfect setup of hp and weight. Awsomeness!!!
Mine was a 2000 electric blue CC, M1 intake, Aluminum heads, PP(?) headers (cant remember the name chrome shortys) ran the shit out of it 6 years and sold it, loved that truck!
Thank you very much for the inclusion in your article. This truck is my pride and joy and I aim for the sleeper look. I greatly appreciate the time involved into putting this together. Definitely going down in the trucks history book.
I just picked up my first Dakota R/T last September….a black ’03 RC R/T….an early production model that doesn’t have the stampede package….love it!!! I’m working on a ’98 amethyst RC Sport for the track…have a modified ’71 360….30 over on the bore with 11:1 KB pistons and Eagle rods, minor reworked J heads with larger GM valves, .509 purple cam, internally balanced and topped off with a Weiand tunnel ram setup with Edelbrock 600 carbs…all backed with a 727, 3500 stall and a 9.25 rear with 4.10 gears. The launch of your truck is amazing!!! Hopefully more videos of your truck at the track can be posted!