Doing a 96 4WD Dakota Club Cab auto to manual conversion. Should I swap the PCM from the donor truck? Will the front driveshaft from the auto work on the manual? Thanks.

 

You will need to swap the pcm or have it tuned, my 96 swap didn't run correctly on the auto pcm, on top of the check engine light.

did you use Dakota transmission or what did you use, trans length will be the factor of driveshafts, if you reused the original rear shaft that would make the front shaft closely compatible as well. just make sure they are not fully collapsed or extended in the slip joint and normal ride height.

 

I am using 5.2 engine, 5 spd manual transmission/transfer case from a rust bucket donor truck. So, If I use the PCM from the donor vehicle I'm OK? I have the driveshafts from the donor truck they should fit up OK.

 

Im not as knowledgeable on the Dakotas but i believe a 5.2 would have been an NV3500 manual anda 46RE automatic?

 

The 96 that I am swapping a 5 spd into in place of the auto transmission has a 56040880 PCM. Can I use that with the 5 spd or do I need to use the 807 from the manual doner?

 

Same year, and engine size? If so, use the one for the manual, Don't recall if the 96 cared about having the correct vin....... You'll have to test that.

 

Any tips on removing the 4wd front axle struts?

 

I'm removing the clutch/brake pedal assembly from the 4x4 donor truck, can't get to the two bolts just behind the guage panel. Any advice?

 

Pull the dash.

 

Got it out! Didn't have to pull the dash. Pulled the steering column, clutch master and instrument panel, removed bolts, came right out.