I have a 97 dakota 3.9 that boggs down while I'm driving sometimes. It doesn't shut off but the rpms drop to about a grand and then regains power after a few seconds. What's up with that? Anyone?

It's generally referred to as shifting gears.

It's a 5speed. You got to come better than that.

it may be your idle speed actuator motor, try cleaning the throtle bodyw/ throttlecleaner. and if that doesnt work replace it.

It could possibly be the coil, but i doubt it, i'd gain access to a scanner and see if you can get any codes, it could be your TPS or other sensor.

Check battery terminal connections. Also, when was the last time you did a tune-up?

fuel pump... check fuel pressure and volume... being that it's intermittant, that may be hard to do.

I think I've got it. I changed the wires, plugs, cap, rotor,pcv,tps and theair intakecontrol valve. It seems to be okay now. Last night it back fired at 70mph it was so loud the cars next to me slammed on brakes:D. Of course I loss power temporarly but I think I got it under control today.

i wouldnt rule out a loose timing chain either, especially if you have bad low end power, and a rough idle

It still backfires every now and then. Could a bad O2 sensor cause that as well?

I found the rest of the problem. The ignition coil was bad.We're good!