A friend has asked me to help him with a *totally custom* 4x4 Rock-Crawler that he has built. When this thing runs it should be crazy!

He can't get it to run. It uses a cut-up 91 Dakota frame, a 91 Dakota 5 speed manual transmission, a 94 RAM 1500 5.2 L engine (had an automatic transmission). The engine and transmission are bolted up in the frame and the Ram engine wiring harness has been partially installed. He is using the Ram computer.

We can't get the engine to run or spark for that matter. We can turn it over but it won't spark.

To troubleshoot, we are going through the computer's wires one-by-one. We have followed several wires to their proper termination. But when we follow the crankshaft sensor wire it ends in a disconnected connector at the end which, is part of the injector harness, at the rear driver's side of the engine.

We have looked on the bell housing, back and side of the motor but can't find where the crankshaft sensor would mount.

Are there two different locations for the sensor on a Dakota and Ram and we swapped them so that there isn't a sensor location?

We're pretty sure this is the major hiccup in getting the engine to run.

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

Sounds like it is the crankshaft sensor. Just got to find out where it goes. Maybe when removing the motor someone cut the wires.

Also post up pics and details of the crazy build!!

 

Hey Crazy:

Thanks. We're pretty sure that's where we've gone wrong. We're going to take a closer look at flywheel, ect. This thing is pretty cool, hydraulic steering, real big tires, 6-way electric seats. We'll post pics when we get it going.

Thanks again,

 

What size tires? Post some pics of the build it doesn't have to look good.

One thing I forgot to mention is if it is a 91 Dakota 5 speed that would make it a A535 / NV2500.

The V8's didn't come with this transmission for a reason. It will not last with that V8 so HD clutch may help but with the crazy work and abuse it sounds like the truck is going through will kill it.

A NV3500 came behind the 5.2 V8's. I think the NV4500 came behind the 5.9's on Rams. Those 2 would be way better.

 

Thanks Crazy:

It's multiple reasons why the combination is-what-it-is. I'll let him know he will likely want to consider upgrading the trans. The overall body is real light and may survive! Like I say, it's a pretty cool little gizmo. I'm going to enjoy running around in it once we get it going. thanks for the input though.