I have a 5.9 from a 95 1500 along with the ECU and harness and I was also able to get a 46RE (with vss) out of a 96 Dakota and I'd like to install this package in my 96 Dakota.

My question is regarding the compatibility of the engine/harness/ECU with the 46RE for my 96 Dakota.

Will this combination work together based on electronics?

Thanks in advance for any expertise anyone can provide!

 

No. The 95 PCM doesn't have any programming to run the 46 RE. If your dak originally had a v-8 though, you can swap the intake over from the original engine, to the 95, and install it. A 5.2 PCM will run the engine, however, it will tend to run lean, so, you will want to have it flashed for the larger engine.

 

Thanks for the quick feedback HeyYou! Unfortunately my Dak had a V6. I have rough 92 with a 5.2 though.
If I had a 5.9 from a 96 1500 would that work? or do I have to get a 96 5.9 from another Dakota?
The 46RE is what I need to build to hold extra HP right, so the ECU issue is with VSS and the speedo I guess?

I'm wanting to build a street truck with 400-500hp. I'm planning on stroking it to a 408 with long tube headers, Hughes FI air gap intake, big gulp throttle body, not sure what cam I need yet.
I want the truck to launch hard and be quick, not necessarily fast. I need to be able to burn the tires off too :-)

Not sure what rear end is on the tuck yet.

Would it be possible to speak to you on the phone? You have a lot of expertise in this regard and I greatly appreciate your feedback!

 

The RE trans is electronically controlled, the pre-96 PCM doesn't have any idea what to do with it. Your trans won't shift.

Theoretically, you can drop the 5.9 in there, and run the extra wires for the additional injectors, and flash the existing PCM for the bigger motor. There *might* be some connector mis-matches on the older motor, but, you can just get the correct year sensors, and call it a day. Since you want to do a 408, you are going to require a custom tune anyway......