I'm going to start assembling the parts to swap a 5.2 into my '91 Dakota 4x4. It's pretty clear from other threads I've seen that I can use the wiring harness from a '94 or '95 Dak with no problem, but the guy who is selling me the 5.2 has the front end of a '95 full size truck.

1. Is the engine harness from a '95 full-size truck compatible. I think probably not.
2. Is the 5.2 from a full size different than that of a Dak? I think it shouldn't be.
3. What is a good source for upper and lower control arms? Do you like the Moog products?
4. Any thoughts on converting from torsion bar to spring?
5. Tranny fluid smells burnt. Is there a different year auto trans that I should look at?

Feel free to answer any of my questions or to give experience you've had with this job.

 

1 I would suspect that the difference is in the length of the harness, assuming the computer mount in the same relative place on the truck.
2. Oil pan might be different. (probably is)
3. No clue.
4. That would be some serious fabrication work, and just not worth the effort.... Or, on the other hand, some coil-over shocks instead of torsion bars? Not sure what advantage those would have though.
5. any 46RH from a 4x4 should work. So, 95 and older trucks.

 

Thanks HeyYou. I was hoping that I could swap in a trans from a newer Dak. Too bad on that one.

 

Will the torque converter be the same for the V6 and the V8? Pretty sure the flex plate will be different.

 

Flexplate is most certainly different. The torque converter *may* work..... but, I would suspect part numbers will be different for the V-8.....