Request for info and suggestions...
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2
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Request for info and suggestions...
Hi all, I'm a gear-head from way back, but I admit I don't have much experience with Dakota's or even trucks in general. I pretty much played with muscle cars in my prime so I need your help with this...
I have a 98 4x4 extended cab 3.9L auto-trans Dakota that still looks great, but is getting tired mechanically (about 130,000 miles). I'd like to freshen' it up a little with a suspension lift, a new engine, and either rebuild or replace the current transmission. Based on that, here are my questions:
1. What are the best suspension lift kits on the market today ("Best" based on both price and quality)? How much should I expect to pay for the parts if I plan to install it myself, and how much should I expect to pay if I have it installed by a mechanic?
2. I'm some what of a horsepower junky so I've already decided tha I would like to replace my current engine with a V8, but what would you recommend and why? How much should I plan to spend on the engine (I would prefer a nice middle-of-the-road performance built 318 or 360), and what should I expect in terms of swapping out the current V6 for a V8? Should I even consider doing it myself, or have it done by a mechanic, if I should have a mechanic do it, how much should I plan to spend on that?
3. Will my current transmission support a 360 on a rebuild, or should I plan to upgrade to a bigger trans? Sorry, I don't have the specs on the transmission but I hope somebody might have some ideas. If I do rebuild my current transmission, how much should I plan to spend, and should I even consider doing it myself? To give you an idea of my abilities, I have rebuilt manual transmissions, but never an automatic.
Well, I guess that's it for now. Thanks a lot guys I really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas you might have.
P.S. Based on everything I want done above, can anybody recommend a good mechanic or engine shop in the Northwest Ohio area that would be good to use for some or all of the work I want to do? Thanks again.
I have a 98 4x4 extended cab 3.9L auto-trans Dakota that still looks great, but is getting tired mechanically (about 130,000 miles). I'd like to freshen' it up a little with a suspension lift, a new engine, and either rebuild or replace the current transmission. Based on that, here are my questions:
1. What are the best suspension lift kits on the market today ("Best" based on both price and quality)? How much should I expect to pay for the parts if I plan to install it myself, and how much should I expect to pay if I have it installed by a mechanic?
2. I'm some what of a horsepower junky so I've already decided tha I would like to replace my current engine with a V8, but what would you recommend and why? How much should I plan to spend on the engine (I would prefer a nice middle-of-the-road performance built 318 or 360), and what should I expect in terms of swapping out the current V6 for a V8? Should I even consider doing it myself, or have it done by a mechanic, if I should have a mechanic do it, how much should I plan to spend on that?
3. Will my current transmission support a 360 on a rebuild, or should I plan to upgrade to a bigger trans? Sorry, I don't have the specs on the transmission but I hope somebody might have some ideas. If I do rebuild my current transmission, how much should I plan to spend, and should I even consider doing it myself? To give you an idea of my abilities, I have rebuilt manual transmissions, but never an automatic.
Well, I guess that's it for now. Thanks a lot guys I really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas you might have.
P.S. Based on everything I want done above, can anybody recommend a good mechanic or engine shop in the Northwest Ohio area that would be good to use for some or all of the work I want to do? Thanks again.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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RE: Request for info and suggestions...
I have never done an engine swap however I know that alot of guys with the old Premag v-6 (they really blew they only had 125hp) swap them for built up carburated V-8 both the 318 and the 360 it is a lot easier to do a carburated swap because you dont have to mess around with all the computers and what not. But I have not heard of two many people doing it with the newer models.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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RE: Request for info and suggestions...
Sorry about that post above I posted it before i was done.
I frequent the dodgedakota.com web site and V-6 guys always talk about doing the swap.
Many guys say that if you are just going to do the engine swap and get rid of your Dakota in a few years that it is not worth it, because it is a lot easier and maybe cheaper just to sell your Dakota and buy a new/used Dak with a V-8. Check it out to get others opinions
Here is a thread on dodgedakots.com from 3/31/2002
http://dodgedakotas.com/boards/v6/386.html
That sounds like the most sensible way to do it. Plus a 360 would be sweet in a 4x4, my 318 with over 100,000 miles on it is great, and really puts out the power, but the 360 would be sick.[sm=gears.gif]
keep us posted with what you decied to do.
I hope this lengthy post helps you.
I frequent the dodgedakota.com web site and V-6 guys always talk about doing the swap.
Many guys say that if you are just going to do the engine swap and get rid of your Dakota in a few years that it is not worth it, because it is a lot easier and maybe cheaper just to sell your Dakota and buy a new/used Dak with a V-8. Check it out to get others opinions
Here is a thread on dodgedakots.com from 3/31/2002
http://dodgedakotas.com/boards/v6/386.html
James Roberts
Hi all..I own a 97 dakota.. 2wd reg cab sport. 3.9l v6, auto transmission. I just today bought a 99 r/t dakota. its been wrecked..but firewall forward and the whole drive train (rear end, tranny etc...) is perfect. im starting the switch this weekend...if anyone has done this in a 97+ dakota v6, please email me or reply here and tell me if theres anything i need to do special...all the parts are in the r/t so it should just be a matterof swapping...im going to swap rear end and all... wonder if i should keep my transmission? its got a shift kit in it...would it handle the 360? please reply all help greatly appreciated..and ill keep this updated.. James
It took me and my uncle 4 weeks to complete the swap. Had to swap the whole rearend...trans...engine.... but then came the fun part. we had to swap the internal wiring harness in the dash also....and the wierd part is..the 360 had 22000 miles on it...and my v6 had 73000 miles, and my odo still shows the 73000 miles...i think the mileage is stored in the brain in the guage piece..because it is NOT stored in the PCM..or it would have showed up, being you must swap brains also. this was NOT a fun job..lol. But i will tell you, my truck now SCREAMS. underdrive pulleys...transgo shiftkit.... roller rockers...and mopar performance cam. this truck is pretty nice..ive only had it done since yesterday..and the road was wet, so i didnt get to play too much...but i will very soon. If any of you guys are planning on swapping a 360 into a v6 2nd gen dakota (97-up)....it seems youre basically gonna have to have a whole R/T truck...because of all the little things youre gonna need. (pieces like where the cig lighter is in the R/T had 2 plugs and an airbag switch.) also had to change the light switch..and get a new black trim piece for the dash from an R/T because of the differences in the 97 v6/99 rt light switches. but if any of you are seriously considering this, and you want to ask any questions, email me at jameslr@bellsouth.net and ill be glad to help you anyway i can. happy tire smoking.
Hi all..I own a 97 dakota.. 2wd reg cab sport. 3.9l v6, auto transmission. I just today bought a 99 r/t dakota. its been wrecked..but firewall forward and the whole drive train (rear end, tranny etc...) is perfect. im starting the switch this weekend...if anyone has done this in a 97+ dakota v6, please email me or reply here and tell me if theres anything i need to do special...all the parts are in the r/t so it should just be a matterof swapping...im going to swap rear end and all... wonder if i should keep my transmission? its got a shift kit in it...would it handle the 360? please reply all help greatly appreciated..and ill keep this updated.. James
It took me and my uncle 4 weeks to complete the swap. Had to swap the whole rearend...trans...engine.... but then came the fun part. we had to swap the internal wiring harness in the dash also....and the wierd part is..the 360 had 22000 miles on it...and my v6 had 73000 miles, and my odo still shows the 73000 miles...i think the mileage is stored in the brain in the guage piece..because it is NOT stored in the PCM..or it would have showed up, being you must swap brains also. this was NOT a fun job..lol. But i will tell you, my truck now SCREAMS. underdrive pulleys...transgo shiftkit.... roller rockers...and mopar performance cam. this truck is pretty nice..ive only had it done since yesterday..and the road was wet, so i didnt get to play too much...but i will very soon. If any of you guys are planning on swapping a 360 into a v6 2nd gen dakota (97-up)....it seems youre basically gonna have to have a whole R/T truck...because of all the little things youre gonna need. (pieces like where the cig lighter is in the R/T had 2 plugs and an airbag switch.) also had to change the light switch..and get a new black trim piece for the dash from an R/T because of the differences in the 97 v6/99 rt light switches. but if any of you are seriously considering this, and you want to ask any questions, email me at jameslr@bellsouth.net and ill be glad to help you anyway i can. happy tire smoking.
keep us posted with what you decied to do.
I hope this lengthy post helps you.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: Request for info and suggestions...
Thanks for the info, every little bit helps. And I do plan to keep my truck for quite a while. I was actually toying with the idea of trading it in, but I just don't like the new body styles as much as mine so I decided to "refresh" mine rather than get a whole new truck. Keep postin guys, anything you might know that could help me would be awesome! And yes I will definately keep a "journal" of sorts for whatever I end up doing...