http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0709.jpg

 

Input shaft removed for replacement

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0704.jpg

 

The trusty 3.9L in the corner

http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMG_0701.jpg

 

Been working a bit so I've not had time to get much more done. As it sits I have the frame-half of the motor mounts attached. Am in the process of joining up the transmission/clutch/motor and will set it in place as a unit and then fab up the motor-half of the mounts. Should have 4 days off next week to work on it... Transmission crossmember also needs built. Oilpan needs modified to clear front differential. Front differential needs supported - braced to motor once installed. Then fluids, and she'll be ready to start. Of course then I have to clean out the fuel tank, plumb/install the radiator, lift the bed 2-inches to match the front and reassemble all of the bodywork. Gonna be awhile, but it's been fun and I've learned alot.

 

Motor and transmission are in and it has been started. I want to finish the passenger side differential support before driving it. I also need to plumb the radiator before a test drive. It's been a fun project but it would have progressed more quickly had I been a retired guy! 10 days off coming up towards the end of March that hopefully will see the project come together and get all the bodywork back on it and start working out any bugs that arise.

 

thats nice i would love to make my dakota a diesel waiting to see it finished

 

Took several trips around the block today in the 4bt Dakota - minus the hood and bumpers... Motor ran great - temps stayed down, even with no cooling fan - it's installed, but not wired yet. Now I have to ge the bodywork all back on, clean out the fuel tank and finish the fuel lines, lift the bed two inches to match the cab and swap out the oil pan for one that's not been cut and welded. Ended up making it a 2wd for awhile - couldn't get the oil pan I modified to seal up around the lip after it warped a bit on me during the welding job. Have used 4wd only about half a dozen times in 13 years anyway and it conveniently leaves me with yet another project - a solid axle swap, in the future!
Got some video I'll try to get up here in a bit.
Patrick

 

Congratulations!
I have been driving my Isuzu Diesel Dakota (1999) for the last few years.
http://www.canev.com/Dakota.html
I'm still not running the front diff and have decided its not going back in.
The 08 will have a full 4X4 system though.
Should have my 08 running in a couple of weeks with an ISB170 Cummins.
170hp and 400ftlbs.

BFN
Randy

 

Funny that I just read about your builds today - you certainly do nice work! I have a problem with the crank and camshaft position sensors that I think is causing my tach and alternator charge system not to work. I built a tone wheel with notches spaced as on the old flywheel for the cps and jumped this signal to the camshaft position as I read of a guy doing on 4btswaps but mine doesn't seem to work like his did. I have to read a bit more on what you did to see if I can make it work. Problem is I can't think of a good place to pick up a signal similiar to one for the v6 camshaft. Any suggestions are appreciated
Oh well, work for another day...
Patrick

 

I use a lot of the Digital Dakota converter modules.
You can use almost any input and the box can be programed to give almost any output.
I'm going to try one of those on the 08.
on the 99 I just removed all the ECM system and built my own dash.
Much easier, just took me a couple of years to come to that conclusion.

BFN
Randy