2005 Dodge Dakota Delivers Real Mid-Size Room, Capability and V-8 Power

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 4, 2004 -- The success of any new truck is measured from its frame up and the all-new Dodge Dakota does not disappoint. Dodge's credo of "do more, get the job done" was melded with a goal to improve refinement and safety. As a result, the all-new 2005 Dodge Dakota's frame is designed for improved stiffness, energy management, strength and durability compared to the previous Dakota frame.

"The frame is critical on any truck and the new Dodge Dakota benefits from the hydroforming experience we have gained from the development of two all-new Dodge Ram trucks and the all-new Dodge Durango," said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President, Product Development, Chrysler Group. "The new Dodge Dakota is a real truck, with full-size truck capability and with more comfort and refinement than the previous generation Dakota."

Bigger, Stronger and All-New Frame

The Dakota's all-new frame is designed for improved stiffness, strength and durability and has improved performance during frontal, offset frontal and newly mandated high-speed rear impact events. It uses the same patented octagonal front rail tips as the all-new 2004 Dodge Durango. The rail tips are hydroformed to achieve the tapered shape needed for energy absorption under impact and were named "Best of What's New" by popular Science magazine.

Welded steel frame construction, combined with fully-boxed hydroformed and roll-formed frame rails were developed using technology learned from the new designs of the Dodge Ram line-up and the all-new Dodge Durango. A total of four frame assemblies cover all configurations. All use the same side rails, because all models have the same wheelbase.

  Dakota Powers Past The Competition with the Only Standard V-6 Engine and
  Choice of Two Class-Exclusive 4.7-Liter Magnum V-8 Engines

The 2005 Dodge Dakota's 4.7-liter Magnum engine is the only V-8 offering in the mid-size segment, allowing the new Dodge Dakota to boast class- dominating power, torque and a 7,000 lb. plus towing capacity. In fact, Dodge offers two V-8 powertrain choices, a Standard Output or an available High Output configuration. Both V-8 engines are designed to deliver a four-percent or better improvement in fuel efficiency than the previous Dodge Dakota V-8 engines.

The 4.7-liter High Output Magnum V-8 dominates the class in power and torque with 250-plus horsepower and 300 plus lb.-ft. of torque. The High Output 4.7-liter engine will be available only on SLT and Laramie models and requires an automatic transmission. It replaces the 5.9-liter V-8 last used in 2003. It is the only high-output V-8 engine available in a compact or mid- size pickup truck. The High Output 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engine produces more horsepower, faster acceleration and better fuel efficiency than the 5.9-liter Magnum V-8 engine. The Standard Output 4.7-liter V-8 Magnum is rated at 230 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 290 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. Both 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 engines are available with the 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission.

For 2005, the 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 was modified to improve fuel efficiency approximately three to four-percent. A new electronically modulated converter clutch (EMCC) allows partial lock-up of the torque converter at low speeds for improved fuel efficiency. Dual knock sensors allow more spark advance while preventing potentially damaging engine knock.

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) improves fuel economy by replacing some of the incoming fuel-air mixture with inert exhaust gas.

The 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 returns as the only standard V-6 engine in the mid-size segment and is fitted with an all-new Getrag six-speed manual transmission that delivers improved fuel efficiency and drivability. Available on both two- and four-wheel drive Dakotas, the 3.7-liter Magnum V-6 delivers 210 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 rpm. A 42RLE automatic transmission is also available with the 3.7-liter engine.

NVH/REFINEMENT

A stiffer frame, with box-section rails throughout, helps the all-new Dodge Dakota achieve excellent bending, torsional and lateral stiffness for NVH control. Box-section rails extend the full length of the frame aft of the rail tips. The frame sections are stamped or roll formed and all joints are welded for maximum strength and stiffness.

A new lower-control-arm cross member connecting the rear lower control arm pivots also increases torsional stiffness, and increases the frame's lateral stiffness to enhance handling. The transmission, fuel tank and spare tire cross member designs required special attention to meet the torsional frequency objectives.

Best-In-Class Ride and Handling

The all-new Dodge Dakota retains its best-in-class steering feel, and handling precision while achieving a more comfortable ride. The new Dakota's improved ride dynamics benefit from enhanced spring and shock absorber tuning capabilities provided by a new "coil-over" shock absorber configuration and a stiffer frame. The steering system, stabilizer bars, spring rates and bushings are also fine-tuned to achieve optimum handling qualities. An all- new rack-and-pinion steering gear, used on both 2WD and 4WD models, facilitates fine-tuning of the steering response characteristics.

All-New Front Suspension

An all-new, common-architecture short and long-arm (SLA) independent front suspension system with a "coil-over" shock absorber module and a tall steering knuckle replaces separate 2WD and 4WD systems on all Dakota models. The all- new Dodge Dakota is the first Dodge truck to use a "coil-over" suspension configuration. The new system delivers smoother ride characteristics.

Major suspension system components are shared between 2WD and 4WD systems, with variations occurring only in tuning to reduce build complexity. This provides a common ride height for both configurations. The coil-over configuration provides greater flexibility in tuning for ride and handling than either of the systems used on the previous Dakota.

New Rear Suspension

The new Dodge Dakota rear suspension has the same Hotchkiss architecture as its predecessor, but has been redesigned to improve ride quality. Multi- leaf rear springs include a main spring stage optimized for a class-leading 11,500 lb. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and common ride height. Spring rates have been selected to provide improved ride quality compared with the previous Dakota.

Four-Wheel Drive

The all-new Dodge Dakota is the only mid-size pickup to offer a two-speed full-time four-wheel drive transfer case. The full-time system provides even torque to all wheels during dry or slippery conditions and allows four-wheel drive power to be used on all surfaces, all the time. A center differential allows the front and rear drive shafts to rotate at different speeds as required for steering on dry pavement without threat of damage to the drivetrain.

A new electric shift mechanism uses analog, rather than digital, output signals to indicate mode and range selection. A new powdered-metal differential in the NV244HD transfer case reduces its weight 2.5-lbs. (1.1 kg) while maintaining the same durability as its steel predecessor.

A part-time four-wheel drive system is the standard four-wheel drive offering on 2005 Dodge Dakotas.

Unsurpassed Capability

Box sizes are the same as the previous Dakota: five-foot-three-inches and six-feet-six-inches long with Quad Cab(TM) and Club Cab(R), respectively. The box rail height on both body styles remains at a level that permits over-the- side loading, compared with some competitor trucks that have raised the box sides to increase capacity, thereby making over-the-side loading very difficult.

The box itself was also re-designed for more utility. New vertical formations in the inner panels aft of the wheelhouses on the Club Cab box will hold a two-inch-thick board cargo divider. This feature continues on the Quad Cab box. As in the past, the box inner panels and wheelhouses include indentations for 2 x 6-inch boards that can be added to support a full-width upper load floor.

New bolt-on tie-downs have been added to improve cargo stability. Under- floor tie-downs are also supplied and are bolted to the Quad Cab front box pillars, welded into the Club Cab box support rail below the box floor, and bolted to the tailgate pillars on both boxes.

Integrated Safety Systems

The performance of the new Dakota's multiple safety systems is integrated to protect vehicle occupants in regulatory, consumer ratings and real-world impacts, including NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), SINCAP (Side Impact New Car Assessment Program), and IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Offset impacts. A revised occupant protection standard also applies to the new Dakota.

Patented, hydroformed octagonal front rail tips that extend the frame three inches (75 mm) farther forward of the front wheels than the previous frame absorb frontal impact forces at speeds up to about 25 mph (40 km/hr). These rail tips were first used on the 2004 Durango. They are formed separately and welded to the front of the frame rails.

The all-new Dodge Dakota frame is designed to help protect occupants in real-world impacts. It is specifically designed to meet new regulatory requirements for occupant protection and newly mandated fuel system protection requirements in high-speed rear impacts. The robust rear section of the frame is designed to meet the anticipated 50 mph (80 km/hr) offset rear impact safety standard for fuel system integrity.

Available side curtain air bags offer protection for front and rear seat occupants. The driver and front passenger seat belts include pyrotechnic pre- tensioners. In a collision that deploys the front air bags, the pre- tensioners take slack out of the belts and snug them around the occupant prior to contact with the air bags. The Dodge Dakota also offers shoulder belts for three rear seat occupants.

All 2005 Dodge Dakotas feature an OCS (Occupant Classification System) as standard. OCS is a factor in determining whether or not to deploy the front passenger airbag in an impact, and, if deployed, how forceful the deployment should be. The 2005 Dakota's OCS determines whether the front passenger air bag will deploy at all, and if so, how or if the second stage will deploy. It also prevents first stage deployment if the seat is unoccupied, or, in the unlikely event it is occupied by an infant in a rearward facing child seat.

Designed to maintain optimal positioning in case of an impact, rear seats on the new Dakota Club Cab feature fixed outboard rear head restraints mounted to the roof and cab back. The new Dakota Quad Cab also features larger coverage head restraints that are fixed to the top of the rear seats. The new design was developed to maintain optimal positioning in the case of an impact.

Both Dodge Dakota Club Cabs and Quad Cabs feature rear child seat tether anchors mounted on the cab back panel. These tether anchors work with LATCH- equipped child seats, as well as child seats that use the vehicle seat belts for primary retention.

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