I was wondering which would be the best way to burn my money,
Search for, find, and buy a 5.9 R/T.
or
Upgrade my current dak with the 5.9 Engine? (i currently have a 4-cyl, 5-speed)
Neither will happen in the near future. I'm not afraid of work,
If I were to upgrade, how much work would be needed?
and what would a new truck cost on average?
I start college in june and in two years i'll be out with a good job and I like to spend money but i don't waste.
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Medical Marijuana Card

 

Interested in a 5.9 r/t dak, check out the classifieds section towards the bottom of the main page. There's a couple for sale right now even. I think one is only asking like $5800.00 just for an idea on buying a truck over replacing motor. It will probably be cheaper in the long run due to your current motor to buy a new ride rather than replace the engine.

 

go with the R/T. i have one and i love it. you're gonna get so much more on the R/T as opposed to upgrading. you get a better gear ratio in the rear end (its a whole different rear end, as a matter of fact, that is desinged to handle the extra power of the 360), you get really nice wheels, upgraded front breaks and a LOT better suspension. the R/T handles a lot better than any other dakota because it has rear sway bard and a few other suspension and braking goodies.

 

Thanks, I'll go with the new truck when I get through college and all the fun stuff like that, now i'm just gonna worry about the upkeep of this one.

how rare are the 5.9's anyway?
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SabrinaCutie

 

i think it depends where u live. i live jsut outside of Buffalo, NY, and there are not too many around, only like 10 at the most mayb less. When I bought my truck, I was actually looking at Durango R/Ts for about 4 months and then i found my truck and I go VERY lucky with how good of shape it was in. in shot, if you look, they are out there. im not sosure i would trus ebay on one of these trucks though, unless u can find one in your area that you can actually go and look at.

 

NADA for the "good years" in my opinion are roughly 11,500-13,000. Thats 2001-2004. In those years Diamler took over the manufacturing of Dodge's performance vehicles and in the R/T Dak they added a better computer and fuel curve programing. They also came with a little better tranny, albeit it is still the 46RE but the meterials were a little better. It also came with the 9.25 rear end, and a hell of a great rear diff. With a little money those particular years of R/T will out run just about everything out on the road. When I had my 2001 I spent about 4400 in engine and tranny modifications and a trick rear LSD. It put out around 390 HP and 445 tq. As for the conversion thats the only way you will have a manual tranny in a Dak with the 360 ci engine without spending several thousand in body work and transmission parts and accessories. If given the chance I would beyond the shadow of a doubt but another 2001+ R/T. Its just a better truck IMOHO

 

My wife and I both had Dakota R/T's. Got mine first, and she liked it so much she bought one. Traded mine on a Magnum R/T. Wife still has hers. They are great, fun trucks.

 

Sweet, Thanks for all the help I was gonna ask what the good years are but Lakota jumped the gun and answered that already.
I guess i'll just keep it low 'n slo for now, Peace
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Ashy