my 2003 dakota is not stating on the first crank when cold. its taking several turns then it starts about 5 to 10 tries then good rest of the day

Had similar problem on 2001 Dakota, 60000 miles. Fuel pump was malfunctioning. Solution- replace fuel pump.

Possibly the fuel pump but always rule out the basics first like plugs, distributor cap etc. Then check fuel pressure with a gauge just to be sure.

sounds like the check valve in fuel pump is failing. a easy check is turn your key to the 2nd foward postion wait a couple seconds turn it off and then turn to 2nd postion again wait a couple seconds, and then crank it. if starts up normally, then then the check valve is bad and the fix is a new pump.

Sounds like the same problem on my 98. New fuel pump fixed mine too. Another symptom is that is starts right away if the engine has not been off long. Before the fuel has a chance to bleed back past the check valve. I replaced mine by lifting the bed, instead of dropping the tank. Iuka - Between Pratt and St John? I used to live there...