I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota 4x4 automatic with the 3.9 V6. I want to swap the v6 with the 5.2. I have been doing alot of research on it and have concluded I need the engine(duh), different ECM and/or, a Different engine wiring harness. I got the engine out of a 1998 durango. I just have questions about what specific wiring harness and ECM do I need, since the truck stopped offering the 5.2 in 2000. could I get them out of a 99 Dakota that was auto with a 5.2 and be okay? Also... anyone that i have seen talk about their swap did it on a 2wd, will i need anything additional since i do have the 4x4? thanks.

 

I would think not. However if you can get the same year 5.2 do it. Not sure if the oil pan is different from the 5.2 version durango and dakota. i heard there is but i don't there being one. And all you need for engine mounts is the ones off the v6 and bolt them to the v8.

 

if the durango was 4x4 then you wont have any problems, if not then you may need a 4x4 oil pan. get a 98-99 wiring harness and ECU out of a dak, durango, or ram with an auto transmission and you should be fine. Some people say you can keep your 3.9 harness and just splice in 2 extra injector connections, but im not sure. keep us updated.

 

Ya you can splice in. I wish I did that. But probably more work than not lol. if they throw in the harness why not.

 

what is so different from the engines in one year?

 

00 is the first year of the (then) new 4.7. idk if the 5.2 will work in a 00 or not...

 

cool, I should be able to get everything I need to do it. I dont plan on changing my tranny, im using the stock one with the 3.9. How do I tell which tranny I have? Im just curious on how it will hold up with the bigger motor. I will start a thread with the step-by-steps, and pics in 2-3 weeks when i do the swap as well(whenever it warms the hell up here!)

 

currently you have the 42RE (from the 3.9) but the 4.7 came with the 45RE... the 5.2 was bolted up with the 44RE (when it was still availible)... the 5.2 can be coupled to the 42RE but if you wanted a 4.7 IDK if it would work properly with the transmission from the 3.9

(correct me if i am wrong)

I believe that varsis still has his 42RE hooked up with his new 5.9 (which came with the 46RE) so it should def be able to handle the increased power from the 5.2...

 

Well, the only thing with having a different year harness is the plugs on the transmission may be different and a little bit of the wiring. I had to do some wiring. But i managed to get it done.

 

4.7 can only bolt and operate with the 45rfe. then from there its mounting issues between the case and the torque converter, wire harness, etc. jsut wont work, bottom line. 5.2 will work with a 42re. i believe they did bolt 42res behind some 5.2s.. either way, if the 42re can handle the torque output from the 4.0 inline 6 jeep engine (1997 jeep GC), then i wouldnt worry about it.