RARE 1998 Dodge Dakota 5.9 R/T Revival And "Restoration" Begins!

It's like a pickup truck, but smaller and less capable. It's like a muscle car, except in just about every way. And yet, when Dodge slapped the legendary R/T badge on the side of this 1998 Dodge Dakota, they created something remarkably fun. The 5.9 Magnum under the hood only makes 250 horsepower, but the torque figure is closer to 350 lb/ft. The 3.91 limited slip differential gives great pickup, and creates tire smoke with authority. The small suspension tweaks underneath the regular second generation Dakota body add up to make a vehicle that handles corners with authority. The fender flares and the oversized wheels and tires are the only visual tell that this is no ordinary truck (beyond the R/T badge and the choice paint colors, anyway.)

I came into this assuming I wouldn't like the Dakota R/T. I was wrong. The handling is excellent, the horsepower is acceptable, and overall, it's a great driver. Does it deserve mention in the same sentence as the R/T models of the muscle car era? I don't know. But it's definitely something special.