The Dodge Dakota was a mid-size pickup built from 1987 to 2009 and was the only truck in its class that offered an optional V8. Two of them from 1989 are presented as a package, one the low-production Shelby Dakota and the other a regular Dakota for parts. Located in Cambridge, Minnesota, the Shelby is the real find here and the duo can be had for $4,000 here on craigslist. Barn Finder Henry Reining found this interesting tip for us!
These were conventional trucks in that body-on-frame construction was used along with rear-wheel-drive (aka old school). They competed in a crowded truck market, so Dodge came up with the idea of offering a muscle pickup kind of along the lines of the Lil Red Express the decade before. With a partnership with Shelby Performance, only 1,500 of them were built in just one year (1989), beginning with a standard Dakota featuring the Sport Package. The big news is that the routine V6 was replaced by a 5.2-liter V8 with throttle-body injection, and it was rated at 175 hp and 270 ft-lb. of torque.
With a 4-speed automatic transmission, the Shelby Dakota could do 0 to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds and the quarter mile in under 15+. The Shelby’s came with special graphics, so they were easily identifiable from the standard pickups. And wheel well extensions, a front air dam, and more were added to bolster the truck’s performance image. Out of the small pool of Shelby Dakotas, only 860 were painted red like the seller’s truck. Here’s what we know about this pair:
Per the seller, the Shelby (red) is complete and ready for restoration. Things don’t look bad here, especially with the interior. The odometer reading is 76,000 and we’re guessing it’s spot on. No mention is made if it runs. All of the Shelby identification is intact which should enhance resale value. The seller says the white one is a parts truck and it’s pretty clean for a donor (we’re not sure what you’d want to transpose from one pickup to the other). However, the seller will not split the pair or part them out, so if you want the Shelby, you have to take both.
Carroll 🏁
Restore the white clubcab as well.
I have a 1996 Dakota XLT Club Cab 2wd with the 5.2 “Magnum” V8. Bought it new – special ordered, believe it or not, with two tone white on hood and bottom with “driftwood” (greyish tan or tannish grey) in the middle and red stripe. I wanted the last of the chrome bumpers before the new body style change. That truck has over 275,000 miles on it, and I still drive it most every week. Both engine and trans have been replaced with remans. The engine just had a gasket leak, but the cost to repair and cost to replace with warranted reman was very close. These two 89s may be pre-computer, which I would like even better. Only issues I have had since engine replacement is glitchy operation from the ECU. I may go to a Holly system in the future. Good solid trucks, good size for those that don’t feel the need to drive a monstrosity.
They started using holley 2 barrel throttle bodies in 1988, my 1988 3.9 had one, It would never idle decent, most of the time it idled at 1500 rpms. Good thing it had a 5spd.
I had an ’89 4×4 long bed with a 3.9, 3-sp auto. I liked the truck but it could not stop (even with all new brakes) and got 14mpg. My full size RAM 4×4 with a 3.6 gets 22MPG, launches hard, and stops on a dime. No more Dakotas for me.