Ok so this forum has been a wealth of information so far so thanks!

Now here's the question that I should have flat out asked to begin with...
I have a 1987 Dakota with a 3.9L V6 2BBl Carburator 2 Wheel drive and I want to know if there's an engine I can just drop in and it will bolt up to the transmission that is currently in the truck? I'm sure I made that sound easier than it is but just to simplify things for me if I buy an engine I want to know what i'm getting into since the outrageous prices I have found online as a rebuilt engine just like the one I have. I figure there must be something I can do?

 

apart from just getting a rebuilt engine the same as you have now...... you could buy a 318 off someone and it will bolt up to that tranny, just only thing is, is the v6 tranny cant handle the power and torque the v8 has. theres not alot you can do with the v6 tranny i dont think. correct me if im wrong tho guys

 

You didn't say what you were looking to put in. A V8 or V6 or v10. Lots of post on v6 to v8 swap in the FAQ2.

 

The v6 tranny will put up with v8 for a while as long as your not trying to tow somthing heavy, but it will wear out and start to slip much quicker. So basically, its not necessary to replace the tranny right away with a v8 swap but you might as well so you don't have to do the work twice (and so you can try to sell the v6 tranny before its dead :P )

As for what you can do it, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the 42rh and 46rh are similar enough that the clutch packs are swappable (but don't hold me to it)

 

it's easy. get any 3.9 from 87 to 91
drop it in (bolts right up) and take the throttlebody off (88-91) bolt your carb on and your good to go. the tranny linkage and other stuff is the same 87-91 regardless of carb or duel point injection. probably the simpliest swap i know of. if you can't get one then grab a 92-96 put your heads (if there good) and dome/carb on the block and that will work. the linkage to the tranny does not matter because it attaches to your carb.

 

Hell, I woudnt even want to keep the tranny because id rather have a four speed, but thats just my opinion

 

Actually he'll need a little more than just the TB. He'll also need the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator and computer, the throttle and trans linkages are the same. The 87 has a TF999 3 speed auto and will hold up behind a 318 as along as you drive it sane. If you want almost bullet proof, and fast, 340 6-pack with a TF727 would be the trick, and would be a drop in.

 

FYI, the 318-999/904 was the staple engine/trans set up for Chrysler Corp for 30+ years, the 904 will live behind the 318 without any problems.

 

Wow that's a lot of information!

But I also should have said that I would like to swap from my current 3.9l v6 automatic to a v8 automatic. Now from your responses it sounds like if I get a v8 my transmission will have to go as well, correct? So for the sake of argument I get my filthy rat claws on a v8 engine and tranny should I be able to just drop it in? Thanks for the replies so far guys.

 

thereoretically you should, if you get an LA block 318 it will mount right up. correct me if im wrong... im not 100% on the LA blocks and motor mount set-up.