I have a 2001 5.2L 2wd 1500 Laramie and am looking to put a 5.7 L Hemi in it. I have done a ton of research on it and I know that I have to swap the motor and the transmission. The reason why I don't want to buy a new truck is because I have done alot of interior work on my dodge and I can get good wrecked vehicles fairly cheap. My question is this. I have found a wrecked 2004 4wd that had a tree go right through the cab. Totalled the truck. Engine has 34000 miles and is perfect for the swap except for one thing. 4wd. Can I just loose the transfer case and still use it in my two wheel drive set up or (what the crazy side of me would love to do) somehow, someway convert my 2wd into a 4wd. And whats to say (oh I am dreaming here) to possibly put a 3rd generation front end and rear end under a 2nd generation truck. Whats possible and what is not. Afterall, I could eventually find the perfect wrecked 2wd for the swap too. Just curious

 

I do have access to a 2001 4wd Laramie (with electronic 4wd) for the 4wd conversion parts if the conversion is possible with a 2nd generation drivetrain and suspension system but not a 3rd generation. If either conversion is possible , I will be installing a fabtech lift kit along with the conversion so all I would have to worry about is converting the drivetrain and the base for the suspension system. Again I know this seems crazy and will be a ton (i mean a ton) of work (which probably aint close to being worth it), but oh it would definately be an original and mean looking truck.

 

You'd be better off putting in a front and rear axle out of a 2nd generation 3/4 ton Dana 60s have a much better aftermarket than the AAM axles that the 3rd gens come with. It would also be an insane amount of work to get the 4wd setup working correctly from the 3rd gens, since they use an independant front suspension on their 4wd trucks and torsion bars up to the '06 model year. Swapping in the solid axles would be much easier, and it would be best to do it right the first time (use 3/4 ton axles)

As far as the motor swap, you're going to need the motor, wiring harness, and computer. You're probably also going to have to find someone that will be able to wire the 3rd generation computer and wiring into the 2nd generation cab wiring harness. Won't be an easy task in the least [&:]

If you stay 2wd, you'd have to find a transmission out of a 2wd truck. If you go 4wd, you would probably have to have an adapter made for the 2nd gen transfer case.

The HEMI will actually bolt to the 2nd generation transmission (the bell housing pattern is the same) but the HEMI computer won't know how to control the 4spd the 2nd gens use. Maybe there is a place that could do a custom flash PCM that would be able to...not sure on that one.

Good luck!

 

I have done the 2 wheel drive to four wheel drive conversion on my 1995 dodge ram. It took me about 2.5 days to complete and I basically did it the same as you from a donor truck ( to start with). The front upper and lower a arm mounts ar the biggest pain in the ***. You must do some carefull torching to flush up the fram and the take the top coil spring buckets from a four wheel drive frame, measure and weld. The lowere control arm bracket is also doubling as a crossmember for stiffening on the from portion of frame and motor mount. This can be cut of WITH THE TRUCK ON JACK STANDS AND THE FRON END OFF THE GROUND to ensure that the fram does not twist. Then I took some 2 by four box steel and mad myself a much better cross member than initially there and to accept a track bar mount! I will have pictures up here soon. My truck is now on 18 inches of lift and in show and street condition. Check the title on this site titled "1995 custom truck"

I am sure my info (when my pictures go up) will be of great value to you!

Kyle

 

Dropping in the engine is not going to be a problem. I am going to get a custom wiring harness and computer(or get the computer reprogrammed for the right gear ratio) for the transmission and engine and I have found bolt in motor mounts. Its going to be a little sticky when it comes to wiring in the gauges and service light and things. As far as the transmission goes I was told be a certain company that the 2nd generation transfer case will bolt up to the hemi transmission. If that is the case this thing is going to work like a dream (minus getting custom driveshafts). I need a tech to confirm that statement. I am going to install a lift kit (either Kore, Kelderman, Fabtech, or some combinatin of the three) to give me some extra pieces to play with while reconstructing the front and so that I will have new shocks and a better ride. The only other thing I am worried about is integrating that dana 60 rear end sensors with the computer on the hemi. I am hoping that either the speed sensor off of the 2004 will fit in the dana or that the dana's sensor has the same plug as the 3rd generations do. Some guidance here would be really appreciated. Other than that I think I am going to be ok. If anyone else has any issues I might come up with please shout them out

 

My opinion for everything is that ANYTHING is possible. It'd be fricken sick if you did that, personally, I say go for it and keep us updated!

 

Also something else I need to know is how similar or identical the frames are. I am going to attempt this as soon as I get the money. One of the trucks I was looking at was sold out from under me so i have to find another as well. It will be a while but I am trying to get all the info before I tackle this project