What size bed does a Dodge Dakota have?
The Dodge Dakota, Dodge’s mid-size pickup that ran from 1987 to 2011, is most commonly found with a 6 ft 4 in short bed. An 8 ft long bed option was available on select years and configurations. The exact bed length depends on the model year and cab setup, so check the build sheet or door tag for the precise measurement on a given truck.
Bed length options in the Dodge Dakota
The following bed lengths cover the typical configurations you’ll encounter across Dakota models. Availability varies by year and cab configuration.
- Short bed: 6 ft 4 in (76 inches) — the standard length on most Dakotas, especially Regular Cab and many Club Cab models.
- Long bed: 8 ft (96 inches) — offered on select Regular Cab configurations in certain years; less common on Club Cab models.
In practice, the exact bed length depends on the specific truck you’re considering. Always verify the bed measurement on the vehicle’s build sheet or door sticker.
Bed lengths by generation
Different Dakota generations offered different bed-length options. The following outlines typical availability by era, with caveats about year-by-year variance.
First generation (1987–1996)
During the first generation, Dodge offered both a short bed and, in some configurations, a longer bed. Short-bed Dakotas were common, while the 8 ft bed appeared on select Regular Cab models in certain years.
- Short bed: 6 ft 4 in (76 in)
- Long bed: 8 ft (96 in) — available on some Regular Cab configurations
Prospective buyers should confirm the exact bed length as options varied by year and trim level.
Second generation and later (1997–2011)
In the later generations, the 6 ft 4 in short bed remained the standard option across most configurations, with the 8 ft long bed continuing to appear on some Regular Cab models in certain years. Club Cab/Club Cab variants typically used the shorter bed.
- Short bed: 6 ft 4 in (76 in)
- Long bed: 8 ft (96 in) — still available on select Regular Cab builds depending on year
For accuracy, check the specific vehicle’s documentation—the bed length is not guaranteed to match the general pattern for every Dakota model year.
Summary
The Dodge Dakota is most commonly found with a 6 ft 4 in short bed. An 8 ft long bed was offered on select years and configurations, primarily Regular Cab models, but it is not universal. Always confirm the exact bed length by consulting the vehicle’s build sheet, door jamb sticker, or dealer records when evaluating a particular Dakota.
