When it comes to modern barn finds, sometimes seller get a bit ambitous hawking their late-model wares. I’ll make an exception for this long-term stored 2000 Dodge Dakota R/T, as these are rarely seen anymore in stock condition and put down some pretty solid numbers when new. Find it here on craigslist with just over 43,000 original miles for $6,950, and go here if the ad is archived.
Now, it’s not completely stock as it has those God-awful clear sidemarkers that so many owners chose to “upgrade” with. Still, it appears the modifications end there as I see no evidence of altered ride height or fake cowl-induction hoods, two tweaks I see frequently performed by the third- and fourth-generation owners of these fine muscle trucks.
You could order the R/T in a few different varieties, like this extended cab seen here or the more traditional hot rod truck formula of the single cab, short bed variety. Whichever you chose, it came with a hearty Magnum 360 powerplant pushing out a healthy 250 b.h.p. and even more impressive 345 lb. ft. of torque! That’s before bolt-on mods that could push the number higher with ease, but we like that this example remains unmodified.
While the interior remains your basic late-90s cabin, you don’t buy one of these for the environment. The R/T came with a limited-slip rear end, and could reach 60 in about seven seconds flat. Interestingly, the handling was also worth writing home about, with a lowered suspension, quick ratio steering box, and bigger sway bars front and rear. Mark my words, buying an example at this price will look like a bargain in ten years.
Needs to be stored away for another 20 years to be worth while. That’s if we’re still allowed to drive in 20 years.
Nice truck. Always liked the looks of these. My co-worker has one. It is her daily driver.
It will either look like a bargain in 10 years or ready for the scrap heap!
better truck than ford ranger rust buckets or chev s10s I own 2 dakotas love both of them and my 97 is special in that is a 5.2 v8 5 speed stick, reg cab short box 2 wheel drive, and its magenta color! and mine is 355 shure grip! 2300 in 3rd 95 mph!
This looks like a good truck and a good deal. I have a similar 2004 Dakota, currently 280,000 miles and counting, still smooth and strong.
Incredibly iconic.
Always liked the regular cab version, very brawny looking truck with the perfect stance and rims from the factory.
Had a 4wd 99 dakota with the 318 and it got the worst gas mileage ever! I loved the truck but I can’t imagine what mpgs this 360 would get…although being 2wd would help I’m sure.
I have one….about 11 mpg around town.
He doesn’t say how many of those miles were added during his ownership. Given what it was worth in 2003, he may be taking a big loss for nothing more than the pleasure of storing it all this time.
Good looking truck, but in that same Cyclone/Typhoon category called “meh”
Looked at these when they were new…wanted one real bad as I had an earlier 318 one….which I still have and towed a bunch with. Wish it was closer but still not sure about it’s originality.
A Shelby Dakota/Durango would sell at double the price.
Good trucks. Kind of where the pickup truck evolved into a car with a box. V8 a bit much, that V6 in my Dakota did the job just fine, and got a tad better mileage.
“Where are you going with all our bedsheets?” “I need to take a picture real quick, bringin’ em right back”
Wow. For everyone who is excited about this one, I suggest you visit a few used car lots. It will blow your mind.
Wow. That’s squeaky clean underneath. I agree with Jeff…this is a bargain priced truck.
I have a 2000 Durango with the same engine. Yes the mileage is terrible.
I have also babied my truck. It has around 55,000 miles on it, but that didn’t stop the interior parts from breaking and falling apart. I also can’t get my driver seat to stop moving back and forth every time I break.
I can’t imagine what problems a high mileage truck would have.
These newer cars just will never be the collectibles the older ones are.
Also I laugh at the term “muscle truck” for a 2000 model.
Already sold
These are great trucks and this one is priced fairly. I don’t think they will ever get to the lofty price ranges of some of the 1960s trucks but they make good drivers and low mileage unmolested examples are getting harder to find.