So this Dakota pulls up next to me at a light. I look over, it’s a sweet truck. Lowered, nice wheels, etc, etc. I can hear the rumble of his V-8. He starts inching up as the light’s about to turn. I figured, "small v-8, should be able to take him." Wrong.

We punch it from about a 5 MPH roll. I pulled through first gear, shifted, and it was over. He pulled ahead and slowly but steadily pulled away from me until about 60 when I had to brake for traffic. His license plate, as I was so fortunate to get a good view of, said "RT 306" or "RT 320" or something.

He didn’t beat me that bad, it was a good race. I definitely admired his truck. Flashed the thumbs up as he turned off.

Anyone else have experiences with these things? It sounded loud, so I’m thinking he had some exhaust mods, but I don’t know. Sweet truck.

 

he had something extra in there....

 

I see them run low 15s at the track all day.

They usually have exhaust and a chip.

I believe I saw a 4.7 with a 5-speed break into the 14s. Not positive though.

 

WTF is with racing pickups anyways. Most retarded pseudo-macho thing I've ever seen...

 

R/T 360 was the plate. The Dakota R/T is offered with the big 5.9L motor which is also referred to as the 360.

 

That is correct and I'm not sure but I believe stock they put out 250 HP. I know the older ones did.

 

what's wrong with a truck you can go and pick up loveseat with and on the way home, smoke somebody!!! evryone guy needs a truck. if you can't have a truck and a max, might as well have a fast truck. imo.

 

does a Lightning count as a pickup?

oh, swinging utters the band?

 

You should have been able to beat him. They are pretty quick, but shouldn't be in the 6's for 0-60. The car mags put them at about 7.8 seconds 0-60 for the R/T models. He was obviously modified.

We used those trucks for RWD skid control at Skip Barber racing. They were the 5 speed R/T V8 models with balded Michelin tires. The balded tires made it much more fun considering their were sprinklers wetting down the course.

 

Lightning... MAJOR torque...

 

I define pickup as anything with pickup bed so yeah a lightning counts. I just don't understand it. I mean I like fast and all but if I'm gonna be going fast I want a vehicle with good handling too.

Yup swinging utters the band

 

Hey guys,

Let me shed some light on the subject. I have a 2000 Dakota Club Cab with 5 speed AUTO 4.7 V8 and a 2002 Maxima GXE. To tell you the truth, the Maxima is a soft cruiser while the truck is a lot more fun to drive fast. I truck acutally handles the twisties with less body roll and more grip. The Dakota can beat the max off the line (torque) but then the Max will easily walk after about 40mph. The truck also has a limiter at 94mph. There is pretty good aftermarket support for the Dakota also. All I have done so far is an intake...beutiful deep American V8 growl. Gotta love it! Besides, when you live in Texas you have to own a Truck, right?!

 

I have to agree!! The Max is a blast in its own way, but to haul crap around, carry the dogs to and from the vet (I transport them IN the extended cab with me), make it through occasionally high standing water, and yes, even have fun on turns and sometimes making your own offramps...I would not give up on my truck...in my case a 97 Ram. Sometimes it really is a trick to pick which one to use for the day.

Put an exhaust, intake and sway bars and those big a$$ tons of metal coming down the road can be quite entertaining!

 

The Dakota 5.9 R/T does 0-60 in 6.3, the Durango 5.9 R/T does it in 7.8

 

Actually, the R/T has been tested at 7.1 and they usually run low 15s at the track. Unfortunetly it only comes in Auto. The Dakota sport which is either a 4.7 or 5.2 V8 is the one with the stick, but less hp. I had looked into get a 5.9 a few years ago but did'nt get it because it didn't come in stick. I've only raced one once. It was 80 to 110. He couldn't pull on me, but I wasn't able to catch up.

 

ok..you have a fast pickup...where chicks gonna sit, dude?

 

In his lap duh.

 

what if there're many chicks? You dont need a truck unless you haul smthg on regular basis. Otherwise yourself a Wrangler.

 

Don't underestimate trucks..Especially S-10's..I constantly see them with blown 350 small blocks. Fast @$$ trucks..R/T 5.9 liter is another very fast truck. I've seen one with only minor mods ie..Exhaust intake. run 14's so becareful.

 

A Ford Lightning blows all of these trucks away. It Feels like a damn plane taking off. Awesome V-8 growl followed by the wine of the supercharger. The 01's have 360 horses. They look so awesome too. Just be sure you can afford to put all your money towards gas cuzz they only get like 12mpg.

 

again, you dont need a truck to go fast. Someone here locally (DC) saw a dumpster truck on a racetrack, 1/4 under 20 seconds. No stock truck, souped up GTP, CL-S or a riceburner CRX can compare to european Formula..the one driven by Michael Shumacher....thats some serious machinery. Peace!

 

A few weeks ago I spanked a Dakota 5.9 R/T on the highway in my stock I30 :Laugh: . I walked the guy, I guess those trucks are'nt that quick on the highway.. That 94 mph max speed don't help them either.