I've called dozens of wrecking yards across the country using car-part and Hollanderparts with no luck. All of the trucks listed with a 5.2 have a damaged, or no, harness. It's now a unicorn.

Anyone have one?

I might have to go with a carburetor but not sure if I could comply with AZ emissions.

 

What year is your Dak?

 

It's a '91

 

Would the harness from a full sized truck work??? Maybe with a little 'adjustment'?

Murphy was an optimist.

 

I've been wondering about that also. I think can get one with the engine I'm trying to buy but would have to match up diagrams of the harnesses pin-by-pin.

 

Look up PCM part numbers for the Dak, and Full size truck with the same engine/trans combo, see if the numbers are the same. If they are, you won't have to thru 200 pins on a wiring diagram.

 

In earlier post you mentioned using a 92-95 V8........ That is going to be MPFI and the 91 was a unique year for the dakota V8 being the only non MPFI, factory built dakota. It used a throttle body and was a LA engine vs the newer magnums.

In short, I believe you will need the 92-95 harness to work in your 91, assuming you are still going with the magnum engine.......
BTW in a previous post, I sent you a link to a guy (ragged89) who converted a 89 to the 92-95 V8.

 

Thanks guys. If I'm unable to find the harness and decide to run a carburetor, do I continue to use the PCM without it hooked to the TBI and distributor? Either option requires me to change fuel delivery, but I don't know what electrical changes would have to be made. I think I saw someone make a comment about a different voltage regulator? What about the transmission control?

I haven't yet found any threads specifically about how to convert to a carb/HEI, but I'll review the one that ragged89 posted.

 

The reference on the voltage regulator, is for using a magnum motor in a older vehicle when not using the magnum computer. The magnum was designed with the voltage regulator built into the computer. So if you convert the magnum to a carb, then you need to run an external voltage regulator. Its not a big deal, and if you go that way, I can help you with how to wire it up.
I converted a 2000 ram engine to run in my 87 dakota by using an edelbrock 7577 intake manifold, a holley 670 carb, and a HEI distributor.
I dont have any experience with converting and keeping the fuel injection.... but as I said, ragged89 did a great write up on his 89. Here is the link. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...le-dakota.html

For mine, I did some posting but not to the detail that ragged89 did. I will include a few links, hopefully give you a few ideas.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...me-engine.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...t-running.html

If you have any specific questions I may be able to help with, please ask. Would love to see another build on here!!

 

So I bought a '95 5.2 complete just to commit myself to the project.

• The first step will be to rebuild the front suspension. Most of the parts are available on RockAuto. Amazing just how many suspension variations there are for this little truck. Hardest part will be the lower ball joints. Not sure if I'll attempt the lower bushings - even if I can find the right ones.
• I need to decide if I'll go with the carburetor (easier and cheaper) or with the Holley Terminator X on the existing MPFI. The Holley option would be about $2k. Need to spend time to go through the Holley spec sheets to see if any of the existing sensors are supported.
• The transmission is on my mind today. HeyYou thought that I have the 46RH/A518, but its got a square pan so it'll be the A500. Not happy about that.
  • Could I still put a 46RH in it? I've heard it is 1/2 inch longer. That probably wouldn't be that big of a deal as long as the overdrive housing will bolt to the transfer case. Looks like there are no mounts from the frame to the transfer case so it would just sit a little farther back. Would have to rework drive shafts. Any other considerations on the tranny that your guys can think of?