📋 Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, ModifiedLife earns from qualifying purchases. This helps keep our guides free — at no extra cost to you.
1987–1996 Chassis Codes: AD (1st Generation) | Model Years: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996
This page provides the complete 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota radio wiring diagram for the 1st generation AD-body truck. Use this guide when installing an aftermarket head unit or troubleshooting your factory stereo in a 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, or 1996 Dodge Dakota.
The original Dakota was Dodge’s midsize pickup, positioned between the compact Ram 50 and the full-size Ram. It was offered in Regular Cab and, starting in 1990, Club Cab (extended cab) body styles, with two-wheel and four-wheel drive. A 1991 facelift brought a new grille and refreshed interior trim, and a more significant interior update arrived for the 1994 model year, but the factory radio connector and core audio wiring architecture stayed consistent across the entire 1987–1996 run. Factory head units were basic Chrysler-sourced AM/FM and AM/FM/cassette shaft-style or ISO-mount radios, with no factory premium sound system offered on this generation.
🔗 In This Guide
1987–1996 Dodge Dakota Stereo Wiring Diagram
Use the wiring table below for your 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 Dodge Dakota stereo wire color codes, speaker wiring, and harness pinout.
| Wire Function | Wire Color & Location |
|---|---|
| Battery Constant Power Wire (12V+) | Red/Blue |
| Accessory Switched Power Wire (12V+) | Red/White |
| Ground Wire | Chassis |
| Illumination Wire | Tan/Yellow |
| Dimmer Wire | Orange |
| Antenna Trigger Wire | N/A |
| Amplifier Trigger Wire | N/A |
| Factory Amplifier Location | N/A |
| Rear View Camera Video Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Rear View Camera Video Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Center Speaker Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Center Speaker Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Front Left Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Front Left Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Front Right Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Front Right Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Front Left Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Dark Green |
| Front Left Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Brown/Red |
| Front Right Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Brown/Yellow |
| Front Right Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Brown/Light Blue |
| Rear Left Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Rear Left Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Rear Right Tweeter Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Rear Right Tweeter Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
| Rear Left Speaker Positive Wire (+) | White |
| Rear Left Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Dark Blue/Red |
| Rear Right Speaker Positive Wire (+) | Brown/White |
| Rear Right Speaker Negative Wire (–) | Brown/Orange |
| Subwoofer Positive Wire (+) | N/A |
| Subwoofer Negative Wire (–) | N/A |
1987–1996 Dodge Dakota Speaker Sizes and Locations
Use the speaker table below for your 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 Dodge Dakota speaker sizes and locations.
| Speakers | Speaker Size & Location |
|---|---|
| Center Speaker Size | N/A |
| Center Speaker Location | N/A |
| Front Tweeter Speaker Size | N/A |
| Front Tweeter Speaker Location | N/A |
| Front Speaker Size | 5-1/4″ Speakers |
| Front Speaker Location | Front Doors |
| Rear Tweeter Speaker Size | N/A |
| Rear Tweeter Speaker Location | N/A |
| Rear Speaker Size | 4″ x 10″ Speakers |
| Rear Speaker Location | Rear Pillars |
| Subwoofer Speaker Size | N/A |
| Subwoofer Speaker Location | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the radio wiring the same across all 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota model years?
Yes. Despite the 1991 grille and interior facelift and the more substantial 1994 dash and interior update, the core stereo wiring architecture and factory radio connector remained the same across the full 1987–1996 run. A generic 1987–1996 Dakota harness adapter, such as a Metra 71-6502 Wire Harness Adapter, will work regardless of which model year you have, though it’s still worth confirming your specific radio style since some early trucks used a shaft-style radio while later trucks moved to a standard ISO-mount head unit.
Does the 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota have a factory amplifier?
No. This generation of Dakota was not offered with a factory Amplifier or premium branded sound system from Chrysler. All factory speakers are driven directly from the head unit’s internal Amplifier, so no amp bypass or line-output converter is needed when installing an aftermarket radio — you can wire directly to the factory speaker leads.
Does the 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota have steering wheel audio controls?
No. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls were not available on the Dakota until later Dodge truck generations. No SWC retention interface is required when replacing the Head Unit on any 1987–1996 Dakota, which simplifies the install since there’s no steering wheel control wiring to integrate.
Do Regular Cab and Club Cab Dakotas from this era have different speaker wiring?
The front speaker locations and wiring are the same between Regular Cab and Club Cab (extended cab) trucks, since both use the same dash and door configuration. The Club Cab, introduced for 1990, added a small rear jump seat area but most factory sound systems in this generation are still front-speaker-only, with rear speakers being rare or dealer/port-installed rather than a standard factory configuration.
What dash kit do I need to install an aftermarket radio in a 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota?
Because the factory radio opening changed slightly between the early shaft-style-radio dashboards and the later standard DIN openings, you’ll want to match your Dash Kit to your specific model year rather than assuming one kit fits the whole range. Confirm whether your truck has a single-DIN opening before ordering, since some early trucks require an adapter bracket to accept a standard-size aftermarket radio.
Add Wiring Information
If you have verified 1987–1996 Dodge Dakota radio wiring data — wire colors, pin locations, harness adapter tips, or speaker sizes — please share it in the comments below. Community-submitted data is reviewed and added to the table above to help other Dakota owners. If you have a question about your Dodge Dakota stereo installation, post it below and our community will work to find an answer.
📻 Jump to Another Model Year Range