Wow, what great, quick responses!!!!!! Sounds like my best bet is to go back to the Gen 2. When I was talking to KRC a few years ago they suggested I find a 2000 thru 2003 5.9 (I don't know why they didn't include the '04). As noted above I can't find a 5.9 in the color I want so I was considering finding a unit with the color and accessories I want and then swap in a 5.9. That's when I decided to explore Gen3. More questions:
·I’m assuming swaping a 5.9 in to a Gen 2 wouldn’t be much of a problem . I would have to have someone do the swap and have sufficient skills to do minor mods that don’t require engine removal (intake & exhaust I’m OK with; heads and cams pushes me a little). Is my assumption correct?
·V8MANual do you think an ’08 Ram clutch housing and 6 speed will bolt up to a 5.9 in a Gen 2 with less mods than in a Gen 3 unit? Can that tranny handle 400+ HP? Again I would have to have someone do the swap.
·What I’m wondering about is the value for the money. What is a Gen 2 engine swap, tranny swap and air ride likely to cost vs major Gen 3 engine mods w/ manual tranny swap and air ride? I know the Gen 3 will cost more to purchase the unit and will consider that cost difference the value of the style and features of a newer truck.

I surely appriciate your comments and help. I’m a retired mechanical engineer and if you know anything about enginners you know we’ll research till our brains start to short circuit before we actually do anything. Right now I’m just trying to get direction but need to get moving before I’m too old.

Too trucky and bain64, I like the bold look and chrome on the Gen 3’s.

 

The 5.9 was out of production years before the 6 speed Getrag made the scene.

The New Venture transmissions from the 5.9L era weren't really geared for sporty driving.

Some research into bellhousing bolt patterns would be required to know if our 6 speeds will bolt up to a 5.9L V8.

400 HP through the 6 speed would be asking alot, but I don't think it would fail unless badly abused (aka no lift shifts). It's rated for about 400 FT-LB, which equals 400 HP at 5,252 RPM.

As far as I've seen, your only other alternative would be a Tremec from a Viper/SRT10.

You are going to alot of trouble one way or another. Since we are entertaining yet another engine swap thread, might I suggest a Hemi? The 6 speed will bolt up to that...

 

I doubt if the 4.7 and 5.9 use the same bellhousing. The Hemi's and Cummins share a granny-low six speed (Dodge built, I believe), not the Getrag.

I hope to put a blower on mine some day as did 'Blown287'. That has to be easier than swapping engines and transmissions. I'm pretty sure my Getrag can handle as much torque and hp as any stock automatic.

There is a fellow on here who shoved a Viper V10 in his Gen 2! I think he used the Tremec, too.

 

Photo for you:

 

That photo is Frankenstein....in a good way.
If they put an HO and a 6-speed together in '08, I would look for that truck. Who cares about the looks? It'll grow on you. A side question is, did they ever put non-defeatable traction control on these trucks? If so, avoid that.

 

Wow that's a tight fit!!!!!

 

Looks tastey though...

 

Thanks for all your help and leads. I'll have to do my engineer's thing now and check out your leads and build an estimated cost model for each option (2nd gen or 3rd gen) and list pros and cons and then do it. This will take a while. Will keep you informed as I progress.

 

Good luck with it. That is one of the big drawbacks to the 4.7L is the aftermarket support. The 5.9 and 5.7 have alot better support at cheaper prices.