The Dodge Dakota (aka Ram Dakota) was Chrysler’s mid-size pickup from 1987 to 2011. It was produced across three generations and would compete today with the Ford Ranger or Chevrolet Colorado if Chrysler had stayed the course. Located in Auburn, Washington, this 1999 SLT edition with 4WD looks solid and has “only” 136,000 miles. It appears to have been well-taken care of and may need nothing more than a new place to call home. Perhaps the price is right at $4,950 here on craigslist. An attaboy goes to “Curvette” for another great tip!
Second-generation Dakotas were in production from 1997 to 2004, so that includes the seller’s ’99. After 1997, all Dakotas were assembled in Brazil, so the truck became an import for the U.S. market. The seller’s edition has a 5.2-liter V8, which was rated at 225 hp, and is mated to an automatic transmission. It also has SLT trim, which has premium features that you wouldn’t need if your only goal was to haul cargo at the lowest price point.
No history is provided by the seller on the 27 years it took to accumulate 136,000 miles. By today’s standards, that’s middle-of-the-road usage, implying that you may be able to double that before having to spend any serious money on keeping the truck running. We’re told the pickup runs and drives as it should with no issues to plague the buyer.
The body, paint, and interior all present well (well, maybe not the carpeting), and we assume everything is original. But we wouldn’t fault the Dodge if the paint was reapplied within the past few years. With four-wheel drive, this truck is ready for some off-road activity as well as running errands and hauling payloads appropriate to its class. The asking price sounds reasonable if what we see is what we get – nothing more or nothing less.
This looks like one great Dakota. It’s hard to tell if the paint is original or not. If it is original, its in unbelievable condition. Most likely garage kept. The seats looks great too. The carpet isn’t really that bad for the age either. 318 will run a long time. Its a fair price too. 5 grand for a clean ( I am guessing theres no rust underneath) 4WD truck is pretty good. This really looks like a great find.
Sounds like a really good deal.These didn’t have opening rear
quarter doors until 2005.I had a 2003 Quad Cab (4 door).I sold it
after a short time as it was a little too high-tech for me,plus I prefer
the looks of the ’96 & older models.You loose a foot on the bed length
with the Quad Cab.
I’ve had 6 Dakotas now,& prefer the ’94 – ’96 models.Just turned 105,000 on my ’94,& hope to keep it for the rest of my life.
I ordered my ‘97 SLT as soon as “Brilliant Blue” paint was available- the first new vehicle I ever got for myself. A V6 auto standard cab short bed truck (just like God intended) I, then my son and daughter, put 295k on it. I am having a hard time parting with it, now rusty and off the road, it sits in my side yard pissing off my neighbor.
I had a 2000 4wd 4 door with the 5.9 in Royal Blue metallic. Really a good looking truck and was the best riding I’d had.
If it doesn’t burn oil or idle rough that a positive. Hughes Performance Engines has a intake plenum plate with hardware that will prevent future issues. I had it installed on my 1996 Ram 1500 with a 318. Better than thin aluminum pan that causes a lot of driveability issues with vacuum leaks.
I have been looking for one of these for the past month, except a quad cab. For a rust free body, that is a very good price. Trucks with 200,000 and higher sell for that price around me. Too bad it is way over there on the opposite side of the country.