Hey guys,

I've been giving this some long, hard thought, and I've decided that I think a V8 swap is in the foreseeable future for my truck. I was really undecided about what to do with my truck for awhile, and actually had it for sale for a few weeks. But I decided I love it too much, and I don't want to get rid of it anytime soon. I think that I'd much rather have this truck and spend a little money and know what's going into it than to spend money on a different truck and have no idea what it actually has had done to it.

My question to you guys is which engine do you think I should go with? I'm leaning towards the 5.2, but I'm a bit confused about the thing with the computer. My truck is an 02, and there was no 5.2 available in 2002, so therefore there aren't any 02 5.2 computers out there. I also understand I'll need the wiring harness, no matter which engine I choose. I know you can splice in the 2 extra injectors, but I'm not so good with that stuff. So... can I use a 97-99 5.2 computer in my 02, or will that not work? If not, what other options do I have (for swapping in a 5.2). I'm not totally set on the 5.2, but as of now I've gotta keep my 42re in there for a bit longer, so I don't want to tear the tranny up completely with the 5.9.

Oh yeah, and this might be a stupid question, but I think I need a 9 1/4 rear end, correct? I currently have an 8 1/4 rear (3.55, open).

Anyways, that's about all I can think of right now. This 3.9 is starting to get a little tired, and I'm tired of the close to V8 gas mileage it's getting lol. I can handle all of the physical engine swap, it's more just all the computer crap that confuses me. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

the 5.2 was replaced with the 4.7, which is still just as powerful as the 5.2 and might have a few more ponies.

 

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure the mounts are completely different. Otherwise I'd do it. Plus finding a 318 or a 360 is way cheaper than a 4.7

 

it would be a good idea to some one, near your self, thats done that swap to ask Qs. youll need to do a bunch of homework. ie go to salvage yard with a tape measure, and paper. the best way is to remove every thing you need from one truck. and a big Q, do they all use the same fuel pump? just one big Q that needs to be answered.

 

The Dakota was offered with both the 5.2 and 4.7 in the second gens so i dont see why you couldnt get a set of motor mounts from the donor engine. I dont think they were any different but the 4.7 gets better fuel economy and makes good power.

 

I had a 8 1/4 rear behind my 5.2 they came stock. With what I put my dakota through It never once gave me a problem. You have to get a computer from the same year and model truck you are getting the 5.2 from. The 3.9 is the 5.2 with just 2 cylinders chopped off.

 

So to be clear, I can use a 97-99 5.2 computer in my 02? I didn't realize the 8 1/4 was put behind the 5.2 but makes me happy because it's less money I have to spend lol

 

i wouldnt think you could use a 97-00 computer in a 2002 because i know when i did the overhead console conversion to the one with the display in my truck the computer system in the 2001+ was different than the below 2000. but i dont know if that has anything to do with the motor swap. i just know the way the 97-00 dodge dakota's get their information (believe it is a 2 wire system, at least that's what it was in the overhead console on my 2000) is different form the 2001+ dodge dakota ( one wire information). not sure if it helps but just putting it out there.

 

They changed the front end a little when they started putting the 4.7's in them. They are a bit more narrow so you will have to do some measuring and probably some fabrication.
I had a 98 2wd with the 5 speed that I switched the v6 for a 5.2. I easily solved my computer and wiring problem by tearing all that crap out. I went old school and put a 318 from a 71 power wagon in it. So i can't really help you as far as keeping it fuel injected. I can say your rear end can Definitely handle the 5.2.

 

The frame rails are a bit more narrow I mean** I learned that from when I was going to tackle the project of putting a 5.7 hemi in it. 318 just wasn't enough.. I read the 5.7 wouldn't fit between the frame rails of the 4.7 dakota's.