Autotronics

Dodge Dakota Club Cab Pickup
Our latest factory sound-system review is of Dodge's right-size Dakota pickup. We were able to secure a 4WD Club Cab version of the Dakota Sport, in a photogenic Bright Jade Pearl Coat finish. This particular truck drew curious enthusiasts whenever it was parked or stopped at traffic signals, especially when the eight-speaker 120-watt Infinity was cranked to the max.

All Dakotas, whatever the trim level (base, Sport, or SLT), are equipped with a standard four-speaker AM/FM/cassette. Our Dakota Sport model was equipped with a combination AM/FM/CD/cassette with the upgraded Infinity amplifier/speaker package ($659-$300 with an AM/FM/cassette). Factory-installed audio upgrades aren't offered on the base-level Dakota, though there is an optional dealer-installed six-disc CD changer (price set by dealer) for the standard AM/FM/cassette.

The receiver is a traditional 7x3-inch Chrysler unit featuring a joystick four-way balance/fader control and a three-band (bass/midrange/treble) equalizer. Main controls are large, well positioned, and accompanied by an easy-to-read, bright blue-on-black LED display for tuner/clock/cassette/CD status. Although the look is somewhat dated (the basic fascia design goes back to the '80s), it ranks among the easiest-to-use receivers available. Maybe Dodge will offer the "new-look" receiver featured on the preproduction '98 Intrepid seen at recent auto shows.

The only variation between the standard and Club Cab is the use of 5-inch rear speakers in place of the 6.5-inch units installed in our test rig. Both units share a 120-watt four-channel amplifier located in the passenger kick panel mated to a 6.5-inch woofer and 25-millimeter tweeter mounted in each door. According to Harmon Motive/Infinity Senior Application Engineer Jeff Poggi, all Dakota Infinity systems feature parametric equalization. This allows for control of the location of the frequency affected along with the size of bump or cut best suited to the acoustic characteristics of the vehicle. This equalization is built into the amplifier module and is independent of the tone controls on the receiver.

The listening evaluation brought forth several surprises. First, this is one really loud system, offering undistorted output in excess of 110 dB. The system registered record SPL readings on every track in our evaluation suite. Frequency response was well above average, displaying exceptionally smooth output from 80 to 200 Hz. This strong bass output demonstrated one of the Dakota's deficiencies: A number of panels in the doors and rear compartment buzzed, coloring the sound. This could be controlled by a sound damping product, such as Stinger's RoadKill (800/477-2267), available in sheet or spray applications.

Overall, with this system, the engineering team at Infinity has conquered most of the acoustic difficulties encountered in large-cab pickup trucks and produced an outstanding, cost-efficient package that should satisfy all but the most devoted headbangers. Several evaluators noted that the Dakota Club Cab configuration would provide an outstanding platform in which to install a competition-grade aftermarket system.

The upcoming Dakota-based Durango sport/utility is expected to offer a similar Infinity package. Perhaps Dodge will unleash the designers at Infinity so they might find a way to engineer the bandpass subwoofer package that works so well in the Prowler into next year's Dakota and the Durango. Now that would make a great system a true factory-installed world-beater.