Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, and glad I joined. Yesterday I bought a 91 Dakota for $500. It runs decent for a 29 year old truck with over 300,000 on it. It has the 3.9 with a 5 speed. I'm wanting to swap the v6 with either a 5.2 or 5.9 and keep it a manual tranny. My question is what all am I going to need besides the obvious engine? I figure the transmission would need replacing as well. But would I need to swap the rear end? I've found a 5.2 out of a 98 Ram for $200, but would it fit, or do I need to find one from the same generation? I'm new to engine swapping, and any help would be appreciated. This is just a project I'm hoping to complete over the next few weeks.

 

Welcome to DF! Moving this to First Gen Dak for ya.

 

Thank you!

 

For easiest swap, a LA TBI 5.2 or 5.9 would be best.

The Magnum (5.2 from 92 Model Year up; the 5.9 from 93 MY up) will also fit with a Dakota oil pan on it. But will be a bit more work, since they were never throttle body injected but always multi point fuel injection.

Good news! The 5.2 was a factory option for the 1991, so all you really need is a 1991 or slightly older LA that has the Magnum mounting bosses on it (1991 did; a few years earlier did), and a computer.

Your current transmission will work behind the 5.2 and 5.9; how long it will last depends on how good a shape it is and how well you treat it. If it's already in bad shape and you do 3,000 RPM clutch dumps, well, SOMETHING will give ...

Step 0 before you do anything - Grab a copy of the factory service manual (hint: Is it a Chilton Dakota or a Haynes Dakota? No?) from a source like eBay for used paper, or Bishko for new on disc or paper. (Bishko is the reproducer for FCA, and has vendors all over the place - Summit is one - but can also sell directly). Second, bookmark car-part.com and hollanderparts.com on your browser - you'll be referring there a bit.

And before you start swapping motors - I'd go through the front suspension (steering and springs), the brakes all around, and the rear end. It's no fun building a go-fast buggy that wraps around a tree or phone pole because you can't control which way it goes fast, nor can you make it slow down. Yes, I know, those aren't sexy like having 1,000 HP under the hood; but they'll help make you an old man. You are NOT indestructible!

RwP

 

Really great information. Thanks for the help! I'll check it all out. I know for sure that the suspension needs attention. This old truck sat for a while by the looks of it. The main reason I bought it was just for a work truck. It was listed for $700 but I got them down to $500. The trip home was about 70 miles and it didn't give me any trouble. But it was bouncy, so that probably will be one of the first things to be worked on. The tranny and clutch seem fairly tight and it shifts good. No worries about dumping the clutch though! I gave that up a long time ago. All the lights work including the interior and instrument lights. The brakes need work too because they're a bit spongy. It ain't pretty either! But looks don't mean much because really all I want it for is just something to get me back and forth to work. I just want something with a little more "oomph" to it!

 

Hee!

I'd start with a good tune up, then paying attention to the exhaust (at this age, it may have a plugged cat).

Before I did an engine swap, I'd check the rear ratio and maybe put a bit stiffer ratio in there (like if it's a 2.94 like my truck, a 3.55 or from a 3.55 to a 3.94, say.)

2WD or 4WD?

In the FWIW department, the actual suspension parts will match up with the 95 and 96 factory service manuals available here; the motor and electrics, not so much. But that's a good start while waiting for your manuals to arrive!

My findings are that KYBs tend to be a bit firmer; the Rancho 5000s are almost too soft IMO.

While rebuilding, the front control arms are NLA, so you get to rebuilt your old ones or find other old ones to rebuild; I used Energy Suspension bushings on my 1988, but if I did them again, I'd use Prothane black poly bushings. Mine is also 2WD; that makes a difference.

I'm rocking ProForged ball joints right now to see how they do.

RwP

 

Well sadly I'm not going to be able to do any work on it. I live in southeast Missouri and we had some nasty weather come through this afternoon. My truck was crushed by a huge red oak. Just my luck. Thank for the help though!

 

Well that kinda sucks. Pics?