Username 1!
I thought I was the only one raised by hard-nosed parents.
Secondly: What engine is in your '88 Dakota? The 4 cylinder?
I had a '91 with a 5.2. I don't think, I ever got over 20 mpg, empty.
IIRC, they had the 3.9 out at the time, which is a 5.2, with two less cylinders.
Regarding the newer Dakotas, they use both the 3.7 V6 and 4.7 V8 SOHC, newer design engines.