Had an 87 3.9L auto with 400,000 kms and it was still going strong when I got rid of it. Miss that truck!

yep, that's where I came up with my "V6, all the power of a 4 cylinder and the mileage of an 8" saying. Back then the only two justifications for buying a V6 was no V8 option, or you were a pennywise, pound foolish skinflint.

But today's V6's are changing my mind.

just in case anyone is interested there is a dakota on the kansas city craigslist that has a 5 cylinder BMW diesel engine

My one and only Dakota I had was a new 89, V6, auto, shortbox, 4X4, I owned that damned thing 12 months, 12K and was happy to trade it for a new 91 Ranger.
I got very tiered of walking the three blocks between the dealer and my shop.

A buddy of mine has a 94 Dakota quad cab body sitting on a 98 standard cab, short bed, 4x4 Cummins frame.

Prior to 92 the o/d Trans had the small 5/16 cooler lines. This was not enough volume to lube the o/d properly. 92 up is better with 3/8 lines. I bought a 92, cc, 2wd, 5.2 in 93 with 9k miles on it as a lemon buy back. Truck had 450k on it when we sold it, beat to crap thanks to my youngest son but it still ran strong.

Why the hate on the auto transmissions?

They were the a500 (aka a904 with overdrive)in the 4 and 6 cylinder.

And the very popular a518 (aka a 727 with overdrive) in the V8 trucks.

Same autos used in the 1/2 ton series, and now a popular trans to swap into the older muscle cars to make them nice highway cruisers, but keep their stoplight to stoplight intimidation.

I happen to own a 92. Club cab, shorty, 2wd with the 5.2, a few mild hop ups, including MP computer, rebuilt 518 with good internals. A stage II valve body, 2500 RPM stall, and a 67 B body 8-3/4 rear diff. Dutchman 6 on 4.5 axles, and a tight suregrip with 4.30 gears.

I can cruise the interstate at 70mph at 2600 RPM, and have all kinds of fun in town surprising the heck out of the younger fast n furious crowd.

Thanks for all of the info guys!

I intended on making some calls today and maybe taking a look at a few trucks but, I ended up doing yard work all weekend and just felt like relaxing when I got in this afternoon.

Took a look around Craigslist this afternoon and found a few more that I'm interested in.

Hopefully I can buy something in the new month or so.

Someone asked for a picture of the Cobra; here it is. Not the best pic but, all that I have on my computer right now. The Red one was sold earlier this year, the yellow one is my Fiance's and the 92 is what I bought earlier this year.

They turn reasonable trucks into dogs. They don't seem to last all that long in stock form before puking and don't seem to be all that efficient in spite of the OD gearing. I wouldn't buy another automatic dodge truck.

I wouldnt buy another automatic dodge truck either. Have two 5 speeds that are too nice to run thru the winter. Looking for an already maybe rusty one with a stick that I won't want to fix up and just get thru winter with.

Nice sn95 mustangs ! Mine looks like the red one.

My 93 Dakota 4x4 has an automatic trans, and when it gets replaced, there will be another truck with an automatic trans. Sometimes my wife has to drive the truck, and she can't/won't drive a stick (and I wouldn't want to have to keep replacing clutches if she did). Some people have no business driving a stick, and my wife is one of them. She has been around for 40 years, so I'm keeping her, even if it means there will be an automatic trans truck around here. Its a small price to pay for a happy home.

My coupe does have a 5 speed, and I enjoy driving it very much, but there are days when my old left knee doesn't like the clutch pedal either. Those days, I'm pretty thankful for that automatic in the 93 4x4, if I need to go someplace. Hopefully not, but some day you youngsters may understand the need for an auto trans. Gene

Last year i read that the new 8 Speed Chrysler Torqflite
Was 98% efficient in EVERY GEAR.

I found that hard to believe,
But it made me wonder how efficient
a 1993-1995
A 518/46RH
automatic trans is in each gear?

Locked up one to one ratio 3rd should be highest,
And 0.69 ratio OD 4th gear should a a couple percent less.

Anyone know of a high end transmission shop that can run just the trans on a special dyno that records efficiency in each gear?

The 93-96 Dakota's with the V8 5.2 Magnum and A518 overdrive 727 Trans are my favorite.

2WD have a rock solid D150 frontend, 8 1/4" rear

To my eyes, the early Dakota trucks were the best looking. The early standard cab Dakota trucks have fairly small cabs. I can't get to comfortable in one of those. Does anyone know if the extended cabs have more leg room?

I agree leg room is a bit of an issue,not sure about the extended cab models. My 93 Dakota got a few upgrades this summer and is a fun driver. I built a 408(pump gas build with fast efi),904, and Dana 60 to make sure I get to the lumber yard before closing time.

With the extended cab Dakota, at least you can back the seat up without coming in contact with the back of the cab. Probably won't leave much room for anyone with legs or feet to sit in the back seat, but the driver will have more leg and belly room. Gene

I've never driven a standard cab Dakota, so, I can't offer an A - B comparison, BUT, I find my extended cab comfortable for my 5'-10" frame.

I find it more comfortable than the '02 1500 (full size) I had for a few yrs. Seriously.

However, the thing that makes it comfortable for me, might make it uncomfortable for someone with a large gut, the steering wheel is pretty close even with the seat back.

Too many cars/trucks I've driven seemed like they were set up to be driven with your arms straight out. If my arms were comfortable, my legs were scrunched up. With my Dak, I can have my legs out, and the steering wheel at a comfortable reach. In this position too, the armrests fall at a usable location. On my Wife's Kia for example, I end up about 6" behind the (door) armrest, and the armrest on the console is too low.

I have had 6 dakotas from 1990 to 2002 couple extended cabs and one quad cab the most uncomfartable one was a standard cab 02 R/T I'm 6.1 300 lbs . The other 2 standard cabs were a 94 and a 96 which i just got rid of it was a shorbed 5.2 5 speed I'm regretting get of that one i was comfortable in both of them .

You described my problem exactly! Long legs do NOT comfortably fit in many, many vehicles!! I'll try sitting in an extended cab Dakoka. Based on what you guys are saying, it will probably fit just fine!

One more question on this point, does the passenger side have as much leg room as the driver's side?