Strength and muscle

The Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck from Daimler Chrysler’s brand ‘Dodge.’ Introduced in 1987, the 2007 Dakota is the third-generation Dakota.

The first generation of the Dakota was produced from 1987 through 1996 while the second-generation Dakota was produced from 1997 through 2004.

The 2007 Dakota came into production in 2005 and continues till today. It is available in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models and offers a choice of the two-door Club Cab with a seating capacity for five and the four-door Quad Cab that can seat up to six passengers. Both, the Club Cab and the Quad Cab are available with three options each: the ST, SLT and Laramie.

The Club Cab comes with a cargo bed measuring six foot, six inches while the Quad Cab is available with a cargo bed that measures five foot, four inches.

The Dakota blends the agile handling and fuel economy of a compact pickup with cargo towing capacity of a full-sized pickup truck. It is blessed with the stiffness and strength to tow and handle the heaviest of loads, courtesy its fully-boxed hydroformed frame. It boasts of the maximum towing capacity in its class and when properly equipped, can tow up to 7,100 pounds of cargo and handle 1,720-pound payload efficiently. The 2007 Dodge Dakota comes with a warranty for three years or 36,000 miles.

The Dakota offers an option of a 3.7-liter Magnum V6 engine, a 4.7-liter Magnum V8 engine, and a 4.7-liter high output V8 engine.

The ST, SLT, and Laramie options for the Quad Cab and Club Cab trims are powered by a standard 3.7-liter Magnum V6 engine that produces 210 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. However, all options are available with the choice of a 4.7-liter Magnum V8 engine that delivers 230 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. The SLT and the Laramie can also be fitted with an optional robust 4.7-liter high output Magnum V8 engine that issues 260 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is the best in its class.

Both the ST and the SLT options are coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission that provides closely-spaced gear ratios and improves acceleration at low speeds. The Laramie comes standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission that adapts shift points continuously by monitoring individual driving characteristics electronically. However, the choice of a 5-speed automatic transmission is also available with the 4.7-liter Magnum V8 and 4.7-liter high output Magnum V8 engines. The 5-speed automatic transmission provides superior acceleration and smooth maneuverability.

The Dakota’s exteriors are styled boldly with muscular lines running throughout. Its front fascia is marked by halogen headlamps (manual for the ST and SLT and automatic for the Laramie), integrated fog lamps (part of the Sport Appearance Group for the ST but standard on SLT and Laramie), and the Dodge signature crosshair grille.

The ST comes standard with 16-inch styled steel wheels while the SLT and Laramie stand on standard 16-inch painted cast-aluminum wheels, which are optional for the ST. The option of 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels is also available on the SLT and Laramie.

The ST and SLT roll on P245/70R16 BSW tires while the Laramie glides on P255/65R16 OWL tires, which are optional for the SLT.

The SLT and Laramie also come with standard power adjustable exterior mirrors that are optional on the ST. All the trims also have the option of a rear defogger.

All the Club Cab and the Quad Cab options are available in Inferno Red Crystal Pearl, Light Khaki Metallic, Patriot Blue, Bright Silver Metallic, Bright White, Flame Red, Electric Blue, Mineral Gray Metallic, and Brilliant Black colors. Some optional packages are:

The Sport Appearance Group comprising body-color front and rear fascias with monochromatic appearance, body-color body-side moldings, body-color grille, cargo box “Sport” decals (for RWD only), and 18-inch Silver-painted aluminum wheels is optional on the SLT and Laramie.

The ST Sport Appearance Group consists of body-color front and rear fascias with monochromatic appearance, body-color grille, cargo box “Sport” decals (RWD only), fog lamps, 16" aluminum wheels, and is optional on the ST.

Despite being a pickup truck, the Dakota’s interiors are pretty roomy. The Club Cab and the Quad Cab can seat five and six passengers respectively, besides handling a lot of cargo.

The ST and SLT come standard with fabric seats while the Laramie is available with Sutton Grain leather-trimmed seats, optional for the SLT. The front low-back bucket seats in all the trims offer optimum comfort to the driver and the front passenger.

The Club Cab comes with 40/40 folding rear seats (optional on ST and standard on SLT and Laramie) while the Quad Cab comes with 40/60 folding rear seats to make extra space that can be utilized in various ways.

Both the SLT and Laramie also get the advantage of a 6-way power driver’s seat with manual lumbar adjust while it comes as part of a package for the ST. The Laramie gets the advantage of a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel for stronger grip and more comfort. It, however, is part of the SLT Popular Equipment Group, optional on the SLT.

The SLT and Laramie come standard with cruise control and tilt steering (optional on ST) to ensure more comfort as well as safety. The Laramie comes standard with steering wheel-mounted controls, optional for the ST and SLT, to make sure that they remain well within the driver’s reach at all times. The Quad Cab SLT and Laramie are also available with the option of a sunroof. All the trims also have the option of an engine block heater.

All Dakota trims feature a fuel tank with 22-gallon capacity to make sure that you do not run out of fuel at inopportune moments.

With style, space, comfort, and performance, the Dakota also comes packed with various entertainment options. The Laramie comes standard with remote audio controls that are available as part of the SLT Popular Equipment Group. The ST and SLT come standard with AM/FM stereo radio with single-disc CD player and auxiliary input jack while the Laramie gets the benefit of an AM/FM premium stereo radio with 6-disc integrated CD player along with MP3 capability and RDS, which is optional for the SLT. The SLT and Laramie also boast of a standard SIRIUS® Satellite Radio System, a part of the ST Popular Equipment Group.

Some optional packages are:

The Chrome Accent Group includes tubular side steps, exhaust tip, fuel filler door and front air deflector. It is optional on all the trims.

The Convenience Group comprising of an electronic speed control and tilt steering column. It is standard on SLT and Laramie but optional on ST.

The Heavy-duty Service Group includes 750-amp battery, auxiliary in-tank transmission cooler, and power steering cooler. It is available as part of the Trailer Tow and TRX4 Groups on all the trims.

The Interior Convenience Group consists of overhead console with map lights, mini-trip computer, and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver. It comes as a standard on SLT and Laramie.

The SLT Popular Equipment Group includes remote audio controls, premium audio, and remote start system. It is optional on SLT.

The ST Popular Equipment Group includes sliding rear window, 40/40 rear seats (Club Cab), SIRIUS, Full Swing rear doors (Club Cab) and power/heated bucket front seats with center console (Quad Cab), and is optional on the ST.

The SXT Group includes power convenience, tilt and cruise steering wheel, unique SXT cargo box decal and 16-inch aluminum wheels. It is optional on the ST.

The Trailer Tow Group comprises Class IV receiver, 7-pin wiring harness, 7- to 4-pin adaptor, and includes 6-inch x 9-inch power, heated mirrors (SLT/Laramie only) and is optional on all the trims.

The Dakota has the honor of being the first pickup truck to have a rack and pinion steering. It comes with independent double wishbones in the front suspension and it rides on a solid live axle type rear suspension. The front ventilated disc brakes and the rear drum brakes provide sharp stopping power to the Dakota. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is standard on the rear wheels but optional in all the trims if you want it applied to all the four wheels.

With a turning radius of a mere 22 feet, the Dakota can be turned on narrow roads with ease.

The Club Cab SLT and Laramie feature full-swing rear doors for added comfort while loading and unloading cargo. This feature is a part of the ST Popular Equipment Group.

The Dakota prides itself on a 5-star rating in frontal and side-impact crash tests that it received from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a U.S. government body. With its numerous safety features, it takes good care of its occupants, no matter how precarious the situation.

To ensure driver’s and passengers’ safety, all Dakota trims come with advanced multistage driver and front-passenger airbags. Supplemental side-curtains that offer additional protection to the front and rear outboard occupants are optional on all the trims.

The SLT and Laramie are also equipped with safety features such as keyless entry, integrated vehicle alarm system that includes security alarm and Sentry Key®, and anti-theft engine immobilizer system with two encoded keys.

Some optional safety packages are:

The Laramie Popular Equipment Group that includes 18-inch chrome-clad wheels and supplemental side curtain air bags is optional for the Laramie.

The Power Convenience Group comprising of remote keyless entry, power door locks, and power windows with driver one-touch down feature is standard on the Laramie and SLT but comes as a package with the ST.