Dodge had a forgotten pickup truck that tried desperately to be a muscle car
- Dodge once created a V8 pickup that’s now faded into obscurity
- The Dakota R/T first hit the road in the late 1990s
- Now, it’s one of the most obscure performance trucks
Published on Apr 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Apr 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Dodge is famous for its pickup trucks and muscle cars, but what’s often forgotten is that they once combined the two.
This was well before the RAM 1500s of today, and back when the company took the Dakota pickup and attempted to turn it into a radical muscle car.
The automaker gave the Dakota the heart of a muscle, yet despite its good performance it never reached the heights it should have done.
In 2025, performance pickups are very popular, so perhaps it’s time to bring back this radical muscle truck.
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The Dakota R/T had massive V8 power
Dodge introduced what became the Dakota R/T in 1998, and under the hood it had a mighty 5.9-liter Magnum V8 engine.
The V8 made 250HP and 345LB-FT of torque, with the Dakota also having a four-speed automatic transmission.
At the time, it was one of the fastest pickup trucks in North America.
The 0-60MPH time of the Dakota was around seven seconds.
For the late 1990s, those were impressive figures, which still stack up well with other trucks in 2025.
Chrysler had introduced the engine itself a few years prior.
The engine was an updated version of the LA-series small-block V8.
The Dodge muscle truck is now very affordable
As they have stayed relatively obscure, prices for the Dakota R/T on the second-hand market are quite affordable.
Dodge produced the truck from 1998 to 2003, with roughly 16,496 made.
According to Classic.com, the average price for a second-generation model is around the $14,000 mark.
For enthusiasts, that’s made it quite a tempting prospect.
The condition of the truck can push prices up, however, especially if it’s like new with very low mileage.
As an example, a 2000 Dakota R/T Club Cab sold in 2023 for $30,000.
That was partly down to its good condition, but also the fact it had just 53,000 miles on the clock.
The Dakota R/T followed on from the 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota, made in conjunction with the late Carroll Shelby.
During the 1990s, however, performance pickup trucks didn’t have the appeal they do in 2025.
Were the Dakota R/T to return, then it might prove to be a big hit with consumers.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Dodge brings it back soon!
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
