1998-2003 Dodge Dakota R/T Cotton T-Shirt

The 1998-2003 Dodge Dakota R/T established the modern midsize muscle truck, dominating its era as the only midsize pickup packed with a heavy-duty V8 engine. This rear-wheel-drive street machine delivered 0.82g of lateral grip and straight-line acceleration that outperformed its utility peers.

Power comes from Chrysler’s 5.9-liter Magnum V8, a cast-iron pushrod engine designated as the 360. This high-torque powerplant produces 250 horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 345 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm, breathing through a modified intake and a tuned, low-restriction factory exhaust system.

The R/T utilizes a heavy-duty 46RE four-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential with 3.92 gears. A lowered suspension drops the ride height, while thicker stabilizer bars and 17-inch alloy wheels maximize cornering grip and street handling.

With roughly 16,400 units produced, the R/T is now a highly sought-after collector truck. It succeeded the limited-run Shelby Dakota as Dodge's premier midsize performance pickup, and was eventually replaced by a less potent third-generation package, cementing this era as the peak of the breed.