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halo3
GenIII
 
6/01/2002
23:01:14
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 Subject: New Dakota Buzz...
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I haven't seen this posted elsewhere quite yet, but I admittedly only skimmed some of the other boards. At any rate, here's the latest buzz on the next Dakota....
Warning: This column is often based on rumors and information derived from unsubstantiated sources. Note: Any publication that reports on the copyrighted contents of this column without giving proper credit to www.car-truck.com as its source may be prosecuted for copyright infringement
I've received hundreds of letters from dismayed Dakota owners and fans since I broke the story that Dodge had shelved their plans for the next generation Dakota. I'm glad to report that there's more to this story.
Here's the scoop. The program, originally codenamed NB, ran into trouble when the next generation of the ground breaking mid-size pick-up got too big. This came about due to the fact that market research showed that consumers would like the Dakota's platform mate the Durango (HB) to be larger. Armed with that information, Dodge engineers designed the new platform with a ten-inch longer wheelbase.
While that was good for the next Durango, giving it 24 percent more interior space than the current model, the Dakota ended up being only slightly smaller then the new Ram 1500. This, combined with the fact that the price points for the Dakota has been steadily creeping closer to the price points for the Ram raised a red flag.
The program was halted for reevaluation. Dakota fans will be happy to hear that Dodge has decided to continue the program. Since the huge amount of money has already been invested in the development of the platform, it will remain un altered. The design of the body will be readdressed to take it back to mid-size truck scale.
One of my Ace Buzz patrollers reports that the next Dakota will only be available in club cab and quad cab configuration. No official word if the Dakota R/T will continue but the Buzz is that it will be rebadged Dakota SRT and that it will use the club cab configuration. If produced, the SRT will use Dodge's new 5.7 liter HEMI.
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
Halo3's Dak
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2WD
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
00:49:12
|  RE: New Dakota Buzz...
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>reports that the next Dakota will only be available in club cab and quad cab configuration.
Deal me out.
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SuperBee
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
00:54:58
|  RE: New Dakota Buzz...
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NOOOOO
so they are going to make SRT Dakota, the ultimite in midsized SPORT trucks a NON-REGULAR CAB, that makes no sense whatsoever to me, are they goiong to make SRT10 a club cab Ram?
LOL
a Club Cab SRT Dakota (SRT-8?)
mmmmm, hemi dakota, maybe dodge started reading our forums and saw how much we want to see a Hemi in the new daks
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Dr0p0ff
GenIII
6/02/2002
05:23:14
|  DRAT!!
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Well... dodge..if you're reading this.. the next gen is ugly as all hell. I'd have to drink a 12 pack before i could stand to look at it in my driveway. better change a little on it.. :::looks at next gen chebby's and ferds:::
Keep On Truckin!
Sgt G
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Halo3
GenIII
6/02/2002
08:59:44
| RE: New Dakota Buzz...
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Have to agree with Sgt G. The next gen Daks are pretty ugly...at least with the design that we've seen for it. Now, if they change it up some, it might be all right.
Makes me really glad I already have mine!!
Semper Fi,
Halo3
'00 Lt. Driftwood 4x4 SLT DQC w/5.9L
Halo3's Dak
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greengiant13
*GenIII*
6/02/2002
10:19:02
| RE: New Dakota Buzz...
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Hey where did you see photos of the Next Gen Dak?? I wanna see.
Catch me come later!!
Green Giant
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Hersbird
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/02/2002
11:36:21
| RE: New Dakota Buzz...
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There are no new designs for the next generation out. the scrapped the previous plans people were talking about so everybody thought the M-80 concept would be the next dakota. This article says they will continue with the M-80 as a new small truck, kind of like a 'D-80' replacemnet (dodge's old little truck made by mitsubshi). SO the new Dakota will be scaled back from the new Durango a bit, and it will only be in CC and QC so it fits on the longer frame better. I bet even the QC will get a 6 1/2 foot bed with this setup. SO the powerwagon concept is pretty much out as well. I bet you anything they just kind of shape it based on the current model, and cross it into the new Ram's design. They have the M-80 to try something more retro, and the best selling Dakota will only remain best selling if they stay pretty traditional (for Dodge at least) on it. It is possible they will want fender, bumper, hood parts compatible with the next Durango, but I think that was what was scrapped, they are now going different directions with the Dakota and the Durango. This is good so I don't have to listen to the whole, "Man, I raced a Durango the other day and smoked it, so I could easilly smoke your R/T 'cause they are the same thing."
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