Hey guys,


New to the forum just stumbled apon it and have some questions about a truck i am purchasing this week.

I am gettin a 1999 Dakota SLT v6 3.9 and had some questions about cheap upgrades to get the best performance and milage out of the motor in the beginning.

Also, how durable are the V6 motors?

Common problems with them?

Thanks

Mike

 

the upgrades are covered quite often you should do a search for it. But like all vehicles exhaust, better air intake system (K&N filter or cold air intake ect.) and just maintenance. Like keeping up on the tire preasure, oil changes and plugs and rotors.

My 3.9 has 127k mi and she still runs strong. I have a tiny problem but it doesnt even phase it and hopfully I wont lose limbs to fix it...

OH if its and auto keep up on the maintenance on that too. The dodge autos are good but if you dont keep up the PM on them they wont last like they should/can.


OH and welcome to DF

 

FYI the 3.9 V6 is a 318 minus cylinders 7 and 8

 

research both those questions are brought up multiple times a week...always remember search first post second

welcome to the forum though hopefully your not a one hit wonder like so many and you can come to be one of the vets around here

 

Correction... the 3.9 is a 318 minus cylinders 7 and 8

 

same block but 318slt is right, displacement is the same per cylinder between the 3.9 and 318. they are tough engines. theres a new sticky up top in the thread that will situate you nicely

 

damn...you guys are right. No wonder i never got the numbers to work out right...i kept using 5.9 instead of 5.2.

but the 360 is still the same block, just different bore/stroke, right??

 

you got it buddy. larger bore i beleive and the stroke is a tad bit longer



Bore and Stroke
3.9 (239)/5.2 (318) - 99.3 x 84.0 mm (3.91 x 3.31 in.)

5.9 (360) - 101.6 x 90.9 mm (4.00 x 3.58 in.)

 

That is correct, and there is one more difference... the 318 is internally balanced and the 360 is externally balanced (I'm not sure which one the 3.9 is).

 

i'm gunna duct tape a 7 and 8 cylinders on. be rollin good then.