What would be recommended to drop a 318 carbureted in a 2000 second gen Dakota that has a 3.9 in it

 

Issue is going to be gauges, and likely a few other peripheral items. The dash gets all of it's cues from the communications bus, including the gas gauge.... so that's gonna be one problem..... and a tough nut to crack.

Could put the fuel inject 8 cylinder in there, add the additional wiring required (two injectors), and then flash the PCM for the V-8, after all, they were options on your truck.

 

i have looked in to doing this my self but from what iv looked in to by the time ur done with all the little things gauges, wiring,tranz control (if needed)...its way cheaper to wire in two more injectors...but it is do abole

 

As long as his does not have the gray round headed ignition key, (still has the black triangle headed key) he should be able to go to the junkyard and get a computer from a V8 equipped Dakota and plug n play. starting in 01 that was out teh window. (ask me how I know) no flash needed. I didn't know they could flash a V6 computer to make a V8 run.