Although Dodge made a few changes to the midsize Dakota pickup for 2007, it looks like bigger changes are in store for '08. With spy shots by Brenda Priddy in hand, Edmund's Straighline is speculating that the recently updated 3.7L V-6 will be replaced by Chrysler's 4.0L unit and that the existing 4.7L V-8s will simply get a few extra ponies. Besides the engine changes, this freshened Dakota features a more rounded and chrome-laden grille, new headlamps and relocated badge. Even more importantly, however, the new Dakota will see some much-needed changes on the inside as well. For a bigger version of our "after" picture, follow the Read link. 
[Source: Edmund's Straightline]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ron @ Dec 15th 2006 1:38PM
Wow. That's earthshaking.
It looks a lot like a...2006 Dodge Dakota.
Kowell @ Dec 15th 2006 1:54PM
true...is there really a difference?
Ron @ Dec 15th 2006 2:06PM
Can anyone believe these things actually retail for something north of $28,000? For a Dodge friggin' Dakota?
M. @ Dec 15th 2006 2:09PM
Bring back the Diesel Dakota!
jason @ Dec 15th 2006 2:49PM
If chrysler has a new 4.0 liter V6, why the hell did it put the 3.8 liter minivan engine inside the wrangler? Thats a joke. Car and driver got 11.6 second 0-60 in one of them. And the engine is weak. They're idiots.
dakota @ Dec 15th 2006 2:50PM
2008 will bring the 4.7L DOHC 3 valve engine, upgrade from the current SOHC 2 valve design.
dakota @ Dec 15th 2006 2:52PM
"If chrysler has a new 4.0 liter V6, why the hell did it put the 3.8 liter minivan engine inside the wrangler? Thats a joke. Car and driver got 11.6 second 0-60 in one of them. And the engine is weak. They're idiots."
Gee I didn't realize that the Wrangler was slated to be a sports car??
jason @ Dec 15th 2006 2:56PM
Sports car? Im not talking sports car. Its a weak minivan engine. You would think they would go forward in life not backwards. This 4.0 would have been great. A nice way to get back at FJcruiser.
the friendly grizzly @ Dec 15th 2006 3:19PM
Gee. Maybe they wanted a proven durable engine with a relatively decent torque band in a vehicle that, well, should have a proven durable engine with a relatively decent torque band. A Wrangler is not something in which you want a peaky engine that you have to rev the living snot out of to get any power. Give my d'ruthers, in something like a Wrangler I'd want something like the AMC 6 they used for so long, but, alas, it is gone.
dakota @ Dec 15th 2006 3:28PM
"Sports car? Im not talking sports car."
Your the one talking about 0-60 times.
Competetion to the FJ will be on the trail. My money is on the Jeep.
SRT-8 @ Dec 15th 2006 3:52PM
DAMN RIGHT MY MONEY IS ON THE JEEP TOO, I KNOW SO BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TO THE JEEP JAMBOREES AND O MAN CAN THEY CLIMB ANY THING YOU PUT IN FRONT OF THEM, BY THE WAY HAS ANY ONE HEARD OF A TOYOTA JAMBOREE CAUSE I HAVENT.......??????
josemana @ Dec 15th 2006 4:22PM
SRT-8:
True there are Jeep Jamboree's and Toyota one's as well. The Jeep fans are rabid, but the Jeeps you see Rockcrawling or doing some crazy @ss 4x4's are HEAVLY modified. I have a '85 Toyota 4x4 truck with a mild suspsnsion lift, I've 'wheeled with stock jeeps and modified ones. From my experience, a stock jeep with street tires and anti-sway bars are not very good off-roaders.
MikeW @ Dec 15th 2006 5:49PM
chrysler wouldn't need dual camshaft to get 3 valves per cylinder, unless they really want variable valve timing for the intake and exhaust valve independant of each other.
AM @ Dec 15th 2006 10:43PM
And the new Tundra gets labeled as ugly?
Gee, ya know, SRT-8 has point. A truck can't be any good if it doesn't have a 'Jamboree'. Ya know just because the rest of the world goes off road in Landcruisers doesn't compare to a bunch of guys in extremely modified jeeps (tractors) winching themselves up a rock wall for beer money.
Gerry @ Dec 16th 2006 11:49PM
Damn. I liked the current Dakota. Don't need Dodge messing it up this soon.
Lee @ Dec 28th 2006 9:09AM
Would like to see the The new 3.0-liter CRD engine built by Mercedes-Benz in the engine plant in Marienfelde and produces 215 hp @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1600-2800 rpm or the Mercedes-Benz CDI (Common-Rail Direct Injection) MBE 600 2.7L Turbocharged, 5 Cylinder, 154 @ 3,800 rpm in the Dodge Dakota Truck.
chesters liver @ Jan 1st 2007 7:15PM
No spy shots needed. All dodge ever does is make the grill bigger. Next make a dumb "don't dodge it, ram it" style ad for the men with little tools, and bingo! Sales hit! Grab life by the horns, whatever!
roy pack @ Jan 29th 2007 4:26PM
i have 05 dakota quad cab 4X4 and it sucks. no power, interior cheap, very cheap. only thing good bout it is it's size. had a 2001 and it was great truck. wish i had it back.
Dusty @ Apr 18th 2007 4:34PM
I had a 2002 and just loved it. I was really dissapointed with the body style changes. I hope they realize that they messed up and go back to the old body style or at least closer to it.
matt @ May 13th 2007 6:55PM
DIESEL. Put a DIESEL in that thing now. Bluetec 3.0 liter. 30+ mpg and lots of power. Idiots in detroit these days......