Dakota 4cyl/V8 Swap
 

Just acquired 2 vehicles. Ones a '98 Dodge Dakota Sport 4cyl. 5sp,which is worn out, but the body is in great shape. The other is a '99 Dodge Ram 3500 van Automatic. the frame was junk, but the drive train is in mint condition. I would like to take the engine from the van, and put it in the Dakota... where should I begin..... also. I have a Dakota R/T rear end already, from an old project. I don't have the funds to go pick up a T56 or something.. what stock tranny can I use, with little retrofit???? and can I use the stock wiring harness from the van in the Dakota???? p.s got both vehicles free... neighbor was moving away.. :-)

That will be a toughey. I'm not sure what will or won't transfer over. You'd really need a factory service manual for both to compare the PCM controls. You'd need dakota V8 engine mounts, probably be best to move the automatic over with it, dakota automatic transmission mount [think crossmember is same], among other things

Really want to keep the 5spd... growing up all I drove was stick. guess i can see is I can find a 5spd V8 harness

I also know that 1st gear would be crappy... maybe a swap meet is in my future

Just had a friend suggest throwing an intake and carb on. He says he has a Dart and Demon set up he could sell me that would fit that 360

as long as you can pass emissions/OBDII inspection, go for it.

There's no "kit" to mate a 5 speed to the 5.9 because it is an externally balanced motor. I think Gerko sells a partial kit for a T56 out of a viper, but you have to find said trans.