The 5.9L in my '98 blew up, and I am wondering if there is any reason I can't use a 5.9L out of a 2002 or 2003 model Ram?

I figure it CAN be done, but are there any changes that make it more expensive or more complicated? Having a hard time finding a decent 5.9 out of a gen 2.

Define "blew up". Unless the block is damaged, you would be better off rebuilding what you have.

Look on craigs list auto parts section, I see them all the time.

+1 on Craigslist. That's how I found my used replacement 5.9 magnum motor, however, I do live in a pretty populated area with lots of used parts options. Also, check out a local pick and pay salvage (junk) yard, if you have them available near you.

I am not 100%, but it is knocking very loud and has a rattle in the top end that sounds like WW3. There was a lot of smoke coming from engine, and there was a fair amount of smoke coming out of the oil fill cap when I removed it.

Could be a blown head gasket, but it sounds like there is a lot of engine damage.

How much should I expect to spend on a rebuild? I was thinking about a swap because I can get an engine for about $500 and pay to have the swap done to the tune of another $500.

As far as Craigslist and such, I am not seeing low mileage engines. I am seeing a lot of 170k and up. If i go with a 2002 or 2003 I found a few low mileage engines, in the neighborhood of 50k.

Should be the same motor. I would transfer over the sensors and such from the original though, (provided they are still in good condition.) You are not going to be able to rebuild the motor for a 1000 bucks. Likely *just* labor is going to be about that much.

I'm having the same problem. I need a motor and thought about just swapping another one in. However, all of the ones I'm finding have 150k plus miles on them. I'm not willing to go with something with that many miles since my factory one only had 160k miles when it failed. I feel like swapping in something with that mileage is going to require me to go through all of this again in a few months.

LKQ auto recyclers in your area sell pretty good used engines ! I installed one at work in a 2001 ! engine had 150k on it and ran good after swap no probs ! I think the price was $1250-1350 !

that much for a 150K mile engine? Ouch. I can pick up 100K mile motors around her for 3-400 bucks..... At that price, spend another couple hundred, and you could have a rebuilt motor.....

Maybe I am not so bad off after all. I found a couple of engines out of a 98 or 00 with 100K for about $500.

I was looking at a couple of 02 and 03 that had around 50K on them for just a little more.