Dodge Dakota

Dodge Dakota
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation (1986–1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998–2007) Chrysler LLC (2007–2009) Chrysler Group LLC (2009–2011)
Production	1986–2011
Model years	1987–2011
Assembly	United States: Warren, Michigan (Warren Truck Assembly) Brazil: Campo Largo, Paraná (1998–2001)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size pickup truck
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Chronology
Predecessor	Dodge Ram 50

The Dodge Dakota, marketed as the Ram Dakota for the final two years of production, is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler and marketed by its Dodge Truck division (model years 1987-2009) and later its Ram Truck division (2009-2010) — across three generations.

The Dakota was larger than the compact pickups from Ford and Chevrolet, the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet S-10, and was smaller than full-sized pickups such as Dodge's own Ram. It used body-on-frame construction and a leaf spring/live axle rear end and was the first mid-size pickup with an optional V8 engine. For its entire production, the Dakota was manufactured at Chrysler's Warren Truck Assembly in Michigan.

The Dakota was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2000.