So my buddy traded for a 94 Dakota 3.9 and a 5speed. Had water in the motor from rain. The way that happened is the PO made a cowl hood that functioned. A little hill under the front tires and it took gallons. Fast ford to when we got it. Used a screw extractor to remove broken spark plug. Made it run and tested trans. My buddy wanted to go show off because it was his. So he has me drive it over there( this was gonna be what he learned stick in) and as we round the corner to where our little car meet is I hear a tap tap, rattle and a hard knock and pices hit the ground. The number 3 rod let go and punched a hole in the pan. Coasted into the lot and stopped. Got a jump and drove home with a rod broken and no oil. Made it 5 miles home. Pulled it in the garage and killed it. My buddy looked at me and said " how about 400". I said " you owe me 50," " fine, 300 it is". So now I have this beat up 94 Dakota with a blown motor( plan on swapping out) with a good clutch and a good 5speed. There's no driver side floor pan left in it, the bottom of the door is gone, can corners are gone, but oddly not any bad rust on the frame. All surface rust. Has the Dana 30 rear end ( I'm a jeep guy so when I head Dana 30 I think weak) would this truck have an AX-15? I haven't crawled under to look yet. Was hoping somebody could tell me what the options are. If it does have the ax-15 then she's gonna either get a 318 or a 242.

 

I can't tell you specifically off the top of my head. I know lots of guys put v8's in the 3.9's. You can find a lot of info in the FAQ section about what you have for trans there is also info on how to ask Chrysler for a build sheet. I have the 94 3.9 auto and it works fine for me now that I've fixed the neglected maintenance issues.

 

First of all, unless its been swapped, that truck doesn't have an Dana 30. 2nd of all, it does have an ax15 and why would you out a v8 infront of a weak transmission? Ax15 and 318 is a terrible combination.

 

an AX15 CAN last forever behind a 318, if treated right. being a 94 it may be a NV3500 and not an AX15. He has the trans he has now and it will bolt up to either another 3.9 or a V8. Why not get the use from it that is possible to get out of it? he will have to change to a V8 flywheel so the crank sensor will read right, that much I know.

 

no, its a v6, so its a ax15. Its impossible for it to be an nv3500 in a 94 v6 truck, factory.

The reason Not to use the ax15 with the 318 just because its there because if he uses the v8 for any real purpose, the trans isn't going to last long.

Why half *** a swap? Or have a set up that you cant use to your full potential?

 

It's got a junkyard rear end. I'm trying to do this cheap. It's defiantly my pile now. Someone swapped bucket seats into it. I would love a bench seat. But the motor is first priority. Another issue is the tach doesn't work. I have to get under it and see what trans but I have to have dinner with the folks.