Hey dodge forum! I'm back after a very long hiatus (I forgot my login)

I'm currently working on a huge project for the summer, a 4x4 V8 Drivetrain swap on a Regular Cab Dakota. I have 2 trucks:

#1- 1997 Dodge Dakota 5.2L V8, 4spd Auto, 4x4, w/ limited slip rear diff
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This truck has a great drivetrain, but the body has holes everywhere. It's got the bumpers, bed, and interior removed at the moment. It was originally a V6 4x4 but the previous owner swapped it. Needs some work on the drivetrain but nothing major.

#2- 1999 Dodge Dakota 3.9L, 4spd Auto, 2wd

(only picture of it as of right now)

This one the body is mint! Rockers, cab corners, fenders, floor, mostly everything is solid except the wheel flares on the bed, not too bad it's fixable. The engine is shot, transmission blew up like a grenade because we left the driveshaft on towing it on the dolly, and rear... I have no clue. The drivetrain was useless to me anyway.

My plan is to remove the rest of the body off the White truck, leaving behind a bare frame and the 4x4 V8 drivetrain, the Green truck's body is going to get bolted on that frame, thus a V8 4x4 swap! I know it's not as simple as it sounds but I'm taking my time with it and have ALL summer.

Things that are going to get done as the swap is being completed:
-Frame is going to get a lot of grinding, painting, and rust prevention.
-Bed liner, undercoating, and painting misc. parts
-HVAC system put on
-Exhaust
-Possible 5.9 swap?

The only thing I'm not sure of is if I have to make any adjustments to the green cab because it has no 4x4 on the floor.

 

Wow, no interest here huh?

Things accomplished since my initial post:

• Removed bumpers
• Removed lights for refinishing
• Removed dash trim
• Swapped hitch from Green truck to White
• Coated frame
• Swapped door handles
• Swapped ignition

I'm ready to disconnect the cabs, remove dash board, remove the bed, and get ready for this whole swap.

Some questions for anyone lurking...

I'm sure the cabs are similar, but I'll need to cut a hole for the 4x4 on the green cab right?

Again, I'm sure the harness off each cab are similar (one V6magnum and one v8magnum), all I have to do is make sure I'm using the v8 ecm?

 

Welcome back Gerser.

Looks like a good project. Most parts should bolt right on. I don't expect many changes in the wire harness, just a few do the model year changes. Fortunately both run the CCD bus.

Don't know about the hole in the floor.

Good luck.

 

Almost ready to separate the cabs, just going through the wiring.

 

This looks like a pretty cool project you have! keep those pics coming, ill defiantly be tuned in...

 

Ambitious project! I wish you well. Nothing like all summer to do a job and the available time to get it done! You may even find bits and pieces that you can sell off to help finance the project.

 

I have very few parts to sell. One truck will have a good part and the other won't, so I'm actually piecing stuff together.

Hopefully if all goes well, The green cab should be separated this weekend. The white cab i'm honestly thinking of cutting up to cut down on work, no one can use it anyway, rockers, corners, rear cab, floor....is all rusted.

Really can't wait till I roll the 4x4 frame under the green body.

 

Starting to free up the front end, looks like this weekend the green cab will lift off the frame. I've set the goal that October the truck will be finished. May be sooner, i just left one job so have too much time now, though means my funds are starting to sink... anyway my dad and grandpa think i'm crazy for attempting something like this and doubt i'll finish this year at all and are both betting that it'll still be in pieces next year... but i'm well motivated and know what i'm doing.






I left the hood on because I cannot lift it on my own.

 

Hmm from the lack of updates looks like your dad and Grandpa won the bet, I am in same situation started a big project last year and still working on it, easy to underestimate time on these projects like this and sometimes life just get in the way, hope your still wrenching on it. let us know here you are at now.

 

I did get very close to finishing but then I started a new job so I ended up parting both trucks out. I did make money off both of them so that was good.

i didn't post much here because of the lack of interest.

I'm starting a new project this year.