yeah so matj, in order to keep a 5 speed, you would have to get a new transmission as well... or you could do the 5.2 swap and keep your current tranny

 

yea, the ram was paired with the nv4500/5.9 combo, however I think that the 5.9 puts out 300 lb.ft of torque and I really dont see the 3500 comming apart with just a stock 5.9. I've seen guys with heavily modified 318's running in the 13's with the stock nv3500 behind it and it held up just fine. Honestly though I would say just do a 5.2 swap, it should bolt directly to the nv3500 (if thats the transmission you have), in theory you could have a nv1500 but I dont know if chrysler ever put them behind 3.9's. But if it turns out you do have a 3500 then I would say just swap in a 5.2 and order a stronger clutch because I guarantee that will go out before anything else does and the 3500 should handle a 5.2 just fine as long as its in good working condition.

 

Few things to consider. With yours being 2wd, you have to watch out for one of the mounts (According to one guy I talked to) just ground it a bit to fit, but what I did was removed them off my 3.9 and put onto the 5.9

Seeing as the 5.9 is externally balanced you will either need a balanced flywheel ect.. (for a manual as the auto ones are different) So find a motor out of a ram with the 5.9 or find a dakota, but dakota is a 100% auto.

Problem with the ram motor is you need a 5.9 oil pan from the dakota not the ram version.

NV3500 will hold up fine. I know the 42re is weaker than the nv3500...

if you have any questions just pm me but keep in mine, do your research.

i probably missed something lol.

 

how would i tell which tranny i have ???? im not sure my luck its prolly the smaller one if the 5.9 is going to be that much of a pain ill just do the 5.2 i can get the moter with 60,000 miles on it for about $840.00 ? what else would i need to make that her work in my truck ?

 

have your vin looked up at the dealership to make it easy, otherwise crawl under there and look for an ID tag riveted on the side of the transmission. my guess would be it's the nv1500. youll need the wiring harness and pcm for your swap. new motor mounts, throttle cable. what else am i missing here?

 

im guessing you have the nv1500?

 

nope, i got the 42re automatic. i could be wrong about which one it is, could be the nv3500 for all i know, you need to get under there and check it out. my bet would be the nv1500 since the v6 isnt really all that powerful

 

they put two sticks in the v6s on stronger one, one weaker one. Hope you have the strong one lol.

You don't need new motor mounts it uses the same ones, at least mine did. bolted right in.

You do need PCM, if you do get a motor try and get the same year if possible. with the 5.2 not sure if the rams have the same pan again so watch out for that.

The connectors on the tranny were different on mine and I did have to manually wire in some stuff, but it's all good now.

 

id do the motor mounts anyway since the bay is nice and open, beats trying to replace them on alter down the road with an engine in the truck

 

per allpar and dd i you have the ax-15 which won't last very long at all behind a 5.9 and just a little longer behind a 5.2 they were used with the 3.9's and straight six jeeps so looks like you'll need a new tranny for the swap check the sticker in your glove box it should say for sure which one you have