is there a write up or any info that someone has done this swap. the dakota came factory option 2.5 and 5.9 so im wondering how much modification would be needed. is it similar to the v6 to v8 swap?

 

Sell what you have and get what you want its a lot of work you would need a new gas tank also the 2.5 has a small 12 Gal tank the V8's have the 22 Gal tank.

With A V8 you need the large tank as you will be sucking gas like crazy.

 

The motormounts and transmission will be different, the gas tank can be swapped in or you can live with the smaller one.

 

You are forgetting the brakes and the suspension both will need changing out also

A V8 has many things beefier for handling a V8 engine extra weight and speeds you can attain A V8 has larger brakes larger coil springs larger traction bars and traction bars in the rear the 2.5 has non in the rear.

Different master cylinder for breaks larger power booster for the brakes the ABS will be out of whack unless you change out all the ABS also you may even need to change the rear Diff gearing as most 2.5's have the 3.55 rear

 

brake package is all the same. Checking the 2.5 vs 5.2 on rockauto, calipers and rotors cross-reference for both.

Rear gear is 3.55 for all unless the 3.27 or 3.92 were optioned.

Yes the front coils may need to be changed (I know going from V6 to V8 coiled picked my nose up an inch, can't imagine what I4 springs are rated at), but the sway bars can be left as-are. The engine is low and central enough to not effect roll centre significantly, unless you're going to autocross the thing. Daily driving you won't notice the difference of a 50 pound bar versus a 74 pound bar.

For driveability, the transmission is the only thing that needs to be swapped. But it'll definitely hang low on the front without a spring change.

 

The rear brakes are different they should be the 10'' or 12'' depending on model the 2.5 has 9'' so ABS will be valved different springs on a V6 may be ok but not on the 2.5 they are mush I know I changed out my set they were very springy even with good shocks. With no traction bar in the rear you will get wheel hop the V8 will twist that rear axel.

Why change out so much just get the Dakota you need/want?

 

Again, partially false. Again checking rock auto, 2.5/3.9/5.2/5.9 all have a 9" or 10". My V6 has the 9". I don't know if the 10" was standard on the V8's, but even the 5.9 showed both options. I'm not sure what the difference would be, anyways, and if it would be significantly noticable.

Now the 5.9 durango only shows 11" drums. So the bigger package does exist.

I think it'd be safe to say the springs have to be changed from I4 to V8. Maybe not initially, but at some point. Maybe at the next balljoint/bushing service...

False. It's not a rear traction bar. It's just an anti-sway bar. It does nothing for traction in a straight line. It's only to help with load control and sway control while corning. Having one loosens up the back end and holds it level, not having one lets the body roll, but plants the outside tire harder. My truck has one and I have 200 pounds of pre-load on the right side with a custom link, and I'm still spinning the right tire. Because it's not designed for static weight transfer, only dynamic. And with leaf springs, the anti-sway bar is next to useless anyways, they're more useful on coil springs/IFS/IRS. On a beam axle/leaf spring, the axle itself is the anti-sway bar, providing you don't twist the leaf springs, then you will get wheel hop.

I don't know if the 9.25 axle was an automatic upgrade for the 5.2 or 5.9, but the 8.25 should still hold up just fine.

 

good info, alot more work than i anticipated but nonetheless ive been wanting to do something extreme as far as a swap or motor rebuild goes just to get myself educated with mechanics a little more. i can get help from my brother hes done alot of engine swaps... dropped a 454 (or something close) into a pinto about 15 years ago. built a 550hp motor for a 89 stang.

so would i need the pcm and gauges too from the donor truck as well?

 

not gauges. just transmission and PCM. And maybe the rear driveshaft, I don't know if the length will be different.

 

excellent, heres my list so far

V-8 SWAP

V-8 gas tank (bigger volume)
Motormounts
Transmission
Rear Drive Shaft (Not Sure if different length
Front Coil Springs
PCM

and its the 5.2 swap? will the 5.9 not work?