Filling the wheel openings are 22x9-inch modular alloy wheels supplied by Oasis, shod with Toyo Proxes S/T directional radials; P265/40R22 up front, P305/45R22 in the rear. The lowering kit from Tec One by Advantage (which drops the truck 3.5 inches up front and 4.5 in the rear) and the deep tinted glass give the truck a sinister, almost menacing look. The elliptical wheel design, mimicking that found on the Challenger T/A's original Dodge rally wheels, is just right to show off the big brake upgrade that comes courtesy of the Stainless Steel Brakes.
The result of this combination of wheel, tire, and suspension upgrades is a vehicle that doesn't handle like a truck. On our short drive on twisty two-lane roads in north San Diego County, the Dakota T/A handled more like a contemporary sports car than a musclecar from the Sixties. It certainly has more in common with a NASCAR Craftsman pickup than any of its Hemi-powered ancestors.
Although we hold these icons in high esteem, the truth is classic Mopar musclecars like the Challenger T/A were designed to go fast in a straight line; the Dakota T/A, in spite of being a truck, aspires to a much higher level of handling prowess. While the tail end of the Dakota T/A is light, the wide Toyo Proxes tires do their part in keeping the rear end connected to the pavement. Don't get us wrong--with the proper application of your right foot, it's possible to get the Dakota T/A loose, but you really have to work at it, thanks to the combination of sticky rubber and a lower center of gravity.
Weiner didn't neglect the interior when it came time to extend the truck's personality. Working with long-time collaborator Katzkin, the bucket seats are trimmed in glove-soft leather that integrates the exterior colors, complemented by embroidered matching floor coverings. Further extending its links to the past, the updated instrument panel is outfitted with a giant Mopar Monster Tach and shift light on the dashboard. Like the exterior, it won't be appreciated by the stodgy or stuffy types.