i have a 99 ram 2wd and i found a 96 4x4 with everything but the engine for 350$ my question is would my 5.2 bolt right up to the tranny from the 96 ?

 

Not nearly enough info. And it is not "bolting" to the tranny that is concern because the blocks are the same for all magnum engines. it is the computer and displacement of engines matching. THe 1996 computer is for the 1996 trany. Your 1998 computer is for a 2WD tranny. YOur engines would have to match, because you need the 1996 PCM.

WHat engine was in your 1998?
If the engines are the same displacement: YES, just make sure to keep the PCM from your 1998 in case the PCM from the 1996 doesn't work right. and you can try that.

If the engines are not the same displacement, then you are SOL, because the tranny's are different after 1996, and the PCM from the 1996 is completely necessary because you need the PCM for the correct displacement engine.

Either way, youa re going to have problems after the swap.

 

my 99 has the 5.2 and the 96 had a 5.9..

 

its not gonna work out right.

Honestly you would save yourself time and money just selling your 2wd and buying a 4wd if thats what you want.

chances are the vacum lines for the 4wd are shot on the 96. Very common problem. I just found out mine are on my 98

 

like said, there are a few differences that might be time consuming to work out.
5.2 vs 5.9 needs a different pcm flash.
96 vs 99 uses a different pcm flash.
96 vs 99 uses a different transmission wiring harness and pcm flash.
96 vs 99 has a couple of differences in the intake egr/non-egr and 1 temp sensor/2 sensor.
2wd vs 4wd uses a different transmission output section.

$350 is a pretty good price, and i'm sure there's a lot of people that could pull it off, but if i was going to do something like that - i think i'd just find a motor for the 96 and get it running, then either keep it or sell it. i wouldn't destroy the 99 to fix the 96.