I recently came to own a 2001 Dodge truck. My uncle died and gave it to me. He was stuck in the snow about 5 years ago and blew the motor. Its in good shape with 50k. Ive been a mechanic for years so I need to fix the truck. My question is what would be my easiest, least expensive engine option besides a 3.9. I appreciate any help.

 

the cheapest way would be to buy donor viehicle with the 318 or 360 so you could get all the parts

 

preferably a donor vehicle with a 5.2 and a manual transmission.

 

do you have auto or manual?

I would go with the 360 for there are so many cheap mods you can do with it to make it that much better

 

Its a 3.9 with automatic transmission.

 

I would say, if you go through all the trouble, get a 5.2 and put a manual transmission behind it. Buy a cheap donor truck and swap over everything you can.

 

here's a couple of different approaches.

1. ^ as said, find a donor truck with V8, trans, pcm, etc. i know the V8 trans is different, probably rear end too. this sounds like a lot of work to me.

2. rebuild or replace the V6 as cheap as possible. sell the truck. buy a V8/4wd truck in good condition, preferable the 2001 offroad with 4.10 gears.

 

Find a junkyard 318 and drop it in, use the 3.9 as a paperweight on your computer desk

 

Plus a v6 back in

 

cant you get the 5.9's as a manual. I know theye didnt come with one, but ive seen on his forum people with the 5.9's that have Manuals.

Actually i would say get the 318 with a manual, because then you'll have to worry bout rebuilding the auto tranny.

As for the diff's get 4.10's I run those with 265/75/16 and its got perfect power (aside from my cat getting clogged up)

Rear ends are easy to change. On an 03 Dakota it had 8.75 axle and i put a 9.25 in it. Did it on the ground, no power tools, no lifts, and had 1 person to help me. It was actually pretty easy.