Dodge's "compact" pickup truck loses its 4-cyl engine for 2003, but gains a new transmission, available 4-wheel disc brakes, and larger standard tires. Dakota is bigger than other compact pickups but not quite a full-size. It offers a 3-passenger regular cab, a 6-passenger 2-dr extended Club Cab, and a 6-passenger 4-dr crew cab Quad Cab. Regular and Club Cab have a 6.5-ft cargo bed, the Quad Cab a 5.3-ft box. Available engines are a 3.9-liter V6, 4.7 V8, and 5.9 V8. The 3.9 comes with manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The 4.7 is available with manual or--new for '03--a 5-speed automatic. The 5.9 comes only with a 4-speed automatic. Dakota is available with rear-wheel drive, 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, or 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement; 4x4s include low-range gearing. Dakotas come with rear-wheel ABS; 4-wheel ABS is optional. Four-wheel disc brakes are newly standard on all models except the 2WD regular cab, on which they replace a disc/drum setup as part of selected options packages. Also for '03, 16-inch wheels are standard in place of 15s on all models except the R/T, which uses 17s. Rear seats gain LATCH system child-seat anchors, and added midyear was a Stampede package that includes the Tire and Handling Group plus body-color bumpers and lower-body trim.