Get the Best Priced Dodge Dakota AC Condenser

Sometime in the late 1980s, Dodge got serious about competing in the compact pickup market. Instead of building another mini truck to compete for sales against strong-selling imports, the company created the Dodge Dakota, the first-ever midsize pickup truck. Size has long been the Dakota's chief advantage over the competition, as it occupies a niche between compacts and full-size trucks. When Dodge introduced the Dakota Quad Cab in 2000, it was the first relatively small crew cab to offer truly comfortable seating for four adults.

In addition to its in-between size, the Dodge Dakota has proved to ride smoothly and handle predictably on the road. The Dakota was also the first smaller pickup to receive a V8 engine. However, with leading import brands getting comparable performance out of their more fuel-efficient V6s, the latest-generation Dakota was at a competitive disadvantage. Slow sales led Dodge to discontinue the Dakota after the 2011 model year. For that last year, it was officially renamed Ram Dakota.

In road tests and reviews, the third-generation Dakota was ranked as one of the better candidates for daily commuter duty in the compact and midsize pickup segment. It boasted comfortable seating, abundant storage and simple controls. When equipped with the V8 engine, power was ample. Downsides to this midsize truck included low-quality interior materials, lackluster fuel economy and a harsh ride quality.

The original Dodge Dakota, on sale from 1987-96, was a solid truck for its time, but the ones you will run across on the used market are likely to be well-worn. It's best to confine your search to the 1992-96 model years. It was 1992 when Dodge introduced a new family of V6 and V8 engines, bringing a much-needed increase in performance and refinement.

When diagnosing an air conditioning issue, it's easiest to begin at the compressor. The compressor is one of the three major parts of an air-conditioning system. You can run home tests on the compressor of your Dodge Dakota's air conditioner, but be aware that working on an air-conditioning system can be dangerous because of the high pressure the system is under and the environmental laws that govern refrigerant. The new compressor and the refrigerant oil used must be compatible with R-134a refrigerant. With the engine running, turn the A/C on maximum cool, set fans high, and make sure that the clutch is engaging on the compressor. If the clutch is engaging and disengaging rapidly, the refrigerant may be low. If the clutch is not engaging, use a voltmeter to check for voltage getting to the compressor. If there is voltage, you may have a bad clutch . If there is no voltage, you may have a bad cycling switch, a blown fuse, or the system may not have enough refrigerant pressure to trip the low pressure cutoff switch that cycles the compressor.

What is the Dodge Dakota AC Condenser replacement cost?

PartsGeek has marked down Action Crash Dodge Dakota AC Condensers from list prices that went as high as $372.00 to the low sales price of only $48.98.