i have a 98 dakota. has anyone swapped a 3.9 with a 5.9?? i'm wanting to do this but i just didn't know how hard it is. thanks!!

 

I wouldnt have a clue....but good luck!!

 

It's cheaper to trade your truck in on one with a V8 already. You'll need a new engine, tranny, rear axle, wiring harness, ecu, and probably driveshaft, radiator, cross members, etc.

 

yeah i knew it would cost less do just buy a new truck....but i'm wanting to build this one myself if you know what i mean. i have already done a lot of other work to it.

 

horatio is right. with the amount of work this would take, i would be cautious doing a project like this unless you know exactly what you are doing. we are talking about engine, motor mounts, tranny, wiring harness, ecu, radiator, along with cutting and fabrication. at one point i was going to drop the 5.9 in as well, but then i sat down and crunched the numbers and it would cost more than just buying a dak with the 5.9 already in it. think about it and sit down with the cost numbers. you will see why we are saying this.

 

i know that i would have to redo alot but ....the dakota r/t came with a 5.9..... so shouldn't the actual swap not be that bad? or is the crossmember different in these trucks?

 

Just for curiosity, how long and how much would it cost to do an engine swap? I have a 4.7, and dont plan on swapping, but what is the price and time for swapping?

 

the crossmember is different, yes. however this is the least of your concerns, did you read my last post? as far as how much it would cost? depending on what kind of a deal you can get on a 5.9 motor and tranny, you will still get to get the rear axle, install new motor mounts, buy a new radiator and get a new driveshaft. (this is assuming you will get an ecu and wiring harness with the motor) you are already looking at a large amount of money, just in parts! if you do not do the labor yourself, it is simply unrealistic to do such heavy modifying to a truck that you can buy with this setup already in it stock for right around the same amount of money.

 

yeah i got ya man. thanks for the info