I want to put a 2000 to 03 engine and trany in my 1985 Dodge Ramcharger is there an easy way to do this or should I just give up and fix the old stuff.

 

Custom fab crossmembers/motor mounts and yard the entire fuel system and powertrain wiring harness out of a donor truck, then install into yours. It's a **** ton of work, but it can be done with enough dedication.

 

So as you may say there is no easy way as in wiring to change out a engine and trany

 

Yeah. If you were to mate a Magnum 360 to an old a727 or whatever tranny you've got, you could get away with just converting it to a carb and using most of your existing setup. Heck you might be able to do the same with a Hemi, but don't quote me on that. You'd probably have to get an adapter for the tranny though.

The fuel injection is what's a pita, as there's a lot of wiring, high pressure fuel system, and whatever other crap goes along with it, and then the new trannies are all electronically controlled so all of the sensors that the ECU/PCU use have to be hooked up for it to work properly.

It can be done, but your best bet is to get a donor truck and swap everything. Not an easy task.

If I decide to keep my Ram after the engine goes I'm probably going to go with a Mag 360 and the old tranny.

 

The HEMI uses the same bellhousing pattern as the LA-based V8s (which includes the magnums).

Problem is, the computer for the HEMI is setup to control the transmission as well. It won't know what to do without the inputs from the transmission sensors.

BTW, if you were to swap a FI motor, you would also have to swap the gas tank...as they use an electrical in-tank pump.

 

Ah, good to know on the bolt patterns.