The Shelby Dakota started with a short-wheelbase, short-bed, standard-cab, Sport package pickup.

The tight space in the Dakota's engine compartment necessitated removing the engine-driven fan in front and using a pair of electric ones instead.

[1] The Shelby Dakotas featured special graphics, wheels, blacked out trim, wheelarch extensions, a sports bar behind the cab and a front air dam with integrated fog lamps.

[4] On the interior, they also featured a Shelby steering wheel, seat inserts, and floormats, and individually numbered dash plaques.

Though lacking Shelby involvement, it similarly featured performance and appearance upgrades over the standard Dakota Sport, including special wheels and tires, better suspension components, and a larger, more powerful V8 engine.