🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Dodge

Model:

Dakota

Year:

1989

Generation:

First Generation (AN)

👋 Introduction

Market Position:

The Dodge Dakota filled a niche in the compact pickup truck market, offering a blend of car-like comfort with truck utility, positioned as a more refined and car-based alternative to traditional compact and mid-size trucks.

Competitive Analysis:

Competed primarily with the Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Hardbody. The Dakota's optional V6 engines and often more comfortable interiors provided a distinguishing factor.

Key Features:

Unibody construction (unique for its class at the time), independent front suspension for improved ride quality, and available powerful V6 engines. The 1989 model year saw minor updates and refinements.

📋 Manual Details

Coverage Areas:

All Dodge Dakota 1989 models, all engine variants, all trim levels.

Page Count:

Hundreds (exact count not specified in product description, but implies comprehensive coverage)

Manual Type:

Factory Service Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Downloadable PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Systems Covered:

Engine mechanical, engine electrical, fuel system, cooling system, exhaust system, ignition system, transmission (manual and automatic), clutch, drivetrain, suspension (front and rear), steering system, brakes (front and rear), chassis electrical, body and frame, HVAC system, interior components, exterior components, and diagnostic procedures.

Electrical System Details:

Comprehensive wiring diagrams for all major systems including lighting, ignition, fuel injection, charging system, instrument cluster, and accessories. Troubleshooting guides for common electrical faults.

Body And Frame Details:

Includes procedures for body panel alignment, door and tailgate adjustments, interior trim removal and installation, and basic frame straightening guidance (if applicable).

Suspension Steering Details:

Covers independent front suspension components (ball joints, control arms, tie rods, struts/shocks), rear leaf spring suspension, steering gear box, and power steering pump. Includes alignment specifications.

Procedures Included:

Routine maintenance, lubrication, tune-up procedures, engine overhaul, transmission overhaul, brake system repair, suspension component replacement, steering linkage repair, electrical system diagnostics, body panel repair, HVAC system service, troubleshooting guides, torque specifications, wiring diagrams, and exploded views.

Engine Rebuild Procedures:

Detailed step-by-step instructions for engine disassembly, inspection of internal components (pistons, rings, bearings, valves, camshaft), cylinder head reconditioning, and reassembly with torque specifications.

Fuel System Repair Procedures:

Fuel pump testing, fuel injector cleaning and replacement, fuel pressure regulator diagnosis, and fuel filter replacement.

HVAC System Repair:

Includes procedures for A/C system recharging, heater core replacement, blower motor service, and blend door actuator diagnosis.

Technical Depth:

Comprehensive, covering everything from basic fluid changes and filter replacements to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, complex electrical diagnostics, and chassis component repair.

Diagnostic Procedures:

Includes diagnostic flowcharts for identifying and resolving mechanical and electrical problems, troubleshooting intermittent issues, and reading engine diagnostic codes (if applicable to the 1989 system).

Troubleshooting Guides Scope:

Troubleshooting guides are extensive, covering symptoms from starting issues and poor performance to electrical faults and noise diagnosis, with detailed steps to isolate the cause.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Format:

PDF (Portable Document Format)

Print Quality:

High resolution, suitable for printing individual pages or the entire manual.

Binding Type:

N/A (Digital PDF)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital PDF)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Primary Engine 1:

2.5L (150 cu in) Chrysler Slant-Four (4-cylinder), delivering approximately 100-115 horsepower.

Primary Engine 2:

3.9L (239 cu in) Chrysler Magnum V6, delivering approximately 125-135 horsepower and 200-210 lb-ft of torque.

Engine Code 4 Cylinder:

Various codes depending on specific configuration, but based on the Chrysler 2.5L Slant-Four design.

Engine Code V6:

Likely 3.9L V6 Magnum (e.g., EDE engine code).

Performance Notes:

The 3.9L V6 was a significant upgrade, providing much-needed power for hauling and towing compared to the base 4-cylinder.

Torque V6 Approx:

200-210 lb-ft @ 2,000-2,400 RPM (approximate range).

Fuel System Type:

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) for both engine variants.

Throttle Body Type:

Multi-point fuel injection (MPI) or throttle body injection (TBI) depending on specific engine configuration and year refinements.

🔧 Transmission

Standard Transmission:

Getrag 5-speed manual transmission.

Optional Transmission:

Chrysler A500/A518 3-speed or 4-speed automatic transmission (overdrive).

Transmission Features:

Overdrive gear in automatic transmissions for improved fuel economy and reduced engine noise at highway speeds.

Manual Transmission Gear Ratios:

Specific gear ratios for the Getrag 5-speed are detailed in the manual (e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Reverse).

Automatic Transmission Codes:

A500 (3-speed) and A518 (4-speed overdrive) are the common transmissions for this era.

📐 Dimensions

Wheelbase:

Varies by configuration (e.g., 109.6 inches for standard cab, short bed; 115.9 inches for standard cab, long bed).

Body Styles:

Regular Cab.

Overall Length:

Varies by bed length: Standard Bed (approx. 197.7 inches), Long Bed (approx. 214.6 inches).

Curb Weight:

Ranges from approximately 3,000 to 3,500 lbs depending on configuration.

Payload Capacity:

Approximately 1,000 - 1,700 lbs depending on configuration and GVWR.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

Varies by configuration, often around 5,000 - 5,500 lbs.

🛡️ Safety Features

Safety Ratings Note:

Official crash test ratings for this era are less standardized than modern tests. NHTSA data may be available but would be from older testing protocols.

Active Safety Features:

Power-assisted front disc brakes, rear drum brakes. Available anti-lock braking system (ABS) on rear wheels (often optional or standard on higher trims).

Brake System Details:

Front: Ventilated disc brakes. Rear: Drum brakes. Manual provides specifications for brake pad/shoe replacement, rotor/drum specifications, and hydraulic system bleeding.

Passive Safety Features:

Lap and shoulder belts, reinforced passenger cab structure.

💡 Technology Features

Infotainment Features:

Basic AM/FM radio with optional cassette player. Analog gauges and basic climate controls. No advanced infotainment or touchscreen systems.

Driver Assistance Features:

Limited driver assistance features. Primarily mechanical systems, with optional ABS on rear wheels as the most advanced feature.

Connectivity Features:

No modern connectivity features such as Bluetooth, USB, or Wi-Fi.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Typically every 3,000 miles or 3 months, using the recommended oil type and viscosity (check manual for specific V6 vs. 4-cylinder).

Tune Up Interval:

Spark plugs, distributor cap and rotor replacement typically recommended around 30,000 miles (refer to manual for precise intervals based on engine type).

Drive Belt Inspection Replacement:

Regular inspection for wear and proper tension at oil changes; replacement recommended every 50,000-70,000 miles or as needed.

Engine Oil Spec:

API SF or SG, SAE 5W-30 or 10W-30 (refer to manual for climate-specific recommendations and exact capacities).

Transmission Fluid Spec:

ATF+2 or Dexron II for automatic transmissions; Gear oil (e.g., GL-5) for manual transmissions (refer to manual for specific types and capacities).

Coolant Spec:

Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze mixed with distilled water (typically 50/50 ratio) meeting Chrysler specification (refer to manual).

Brake Fluid Spec:

DOT 3 brake fluid.

Power Steering Fluid Spec:

Chrysler power steering fluid or Dexron II/III ATF.

Manual Transmission Fluid Spec:

GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, viscosity typically 75W-90 or 80W-90 (refer to manual for exact specification).

Known Issues:

Rust on body panels and frame, potential issues with the ignition coil and module on some models, exhaust manifold leaks, and wear in the front suspension and steering components due to age and mileage. Early automatic transmissions may require maintenance for torque converter lock-up issues.

Common Engine Problems 1989:

Potential for distributor issues (hall effect sensor, module), spark plug fouling, and vacuum hose deterioration leading to rough idle or performance loss.

📚 Vehicle History

Brand Heritage:

Dodge, a division of Chrysler Corporation (later DaimlerChrysler, FCA, now Stellantis), has a long history of producing trucks, including the Ram series and earlier models.

Model Evolution:

The Dodge Dakota was introduced for the 1987 model year as Chrysler's first entry into the compact pickup truck segment. It was designed to bridge the gap between compact and full-size pickups. The 1989 model represents the early first generation (AN platform).

Platform Code:

AN platform.

Production Location:

Warren Truck Assembly Plant, Warren, Michigan.