Quote:

but gen 3 (97-04 Dakota)
Tom, I thought the 97-04 were the Gen 2?



The "dakota hobbyists" consider Gen 1 to be 86-90, Gen 2 running from 91-96, then Gen 3 from 97-04 Gen 4 running from 05-07 and Gen 5 being the last few years.

Not sure what the breakdown is between the gens, the 1 and 2 are very similar, maybe Gen 2 is when the trucks started being offered with V8/Magnums, plus a few other small frame/cosmetic changes.

Gen 3 is distinctly unique, although even with Gen 3 there are subtle changes, the 5.2 going away and being replaced by the 4.7, Interior re-designs half way through, brake upgrades each year, etc.

And the gen 4/5 trucks are all very similar as well.

**Photobucket sucks**