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Wesley
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2005
13:22:59
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 Subject: 3.9 to a 5.9
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I have a Dakota SXT with a 3.9L V6 and I would like to put a 5.9L V8 in it...Does anyone know if the transmission that I already have will still work properly with the bigger engine or will I need to replace that as well...if so with what?
Thanks!!
Wes
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2005
15:32:08
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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It will work but not for long.
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Pacman
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2005
18:45:09
|  RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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You might want to rethink doing an engine swap. I had a '99 3.9L Black Club Cab and found that by the time I bought everything required, I would have a faster truck, but would lack what I really wanted... an R/T! Turns out that after being patient, I found a 2000 Black Club Cab R/T for a few grand more than my upgrade would've cost. The bonus of course is all the standard features on this R/T (better suspension, intercooler, 17" wheels, MORE TORQUE/HORSEPOWER!!) Go find an R/T.
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ace
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2005
19:20:06
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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i think pacman is right, but if your like me and just cant let go of your truck (must be love) i say go for it, then post pics and show me how to do it. other then that the engine should mount right into the truck and the transmission, most people say to rework the tranny or get some transgo shifter thing(out of my knowledge) you need a new PCM.....and onemore thing but i forgot maybe someone can answer that.
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Adam
Dodge Dakota
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7/06/2005
19:59:07
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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Is the SXT only 2wd? Cuz maybe he doesn't want a 2wd truck. No way could I trade my 4wd for a 2wd despite the power increase. Have fun with the swap.
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Satakieli
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2005
10:04:55
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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You'll have to replace quite a bit. One over looked thing is the motor mounts. Sure it looks like it will fit but you have to remember your adding a lot of weight. You might want to do some suspension tuning as well. Not sure about your year but in my 88 i had to replace the shocks and front springs and get new motor mounts. Definately replace the transmission with a model made for the 360 or more powerful engines. also take a look into changing the rear end. if you do all that you might also have to have work done to your drive shaft. Some thing like this costs a lot of money and time so if you some burning a hole, go ahead and best of luck it took me 3 months, and this is what i do for a living.
btw intercooloers are useless without a super or turbo charger pacman and they didnt come stock.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2005
12:07:12
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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All the Magnums mount the same way in the Dakota, no new mounts necessary. (The pre-Magnums are another matter).
New PCM? Yes. Wiring harness? Either get a V8 harness or tie two more injector wires into the V6 harness with the V8 PCM.
Tranny. It's less costly to move up to the larger tranny, than it is to build the smaller one for greater strength unless you do-it-yourself. The stock overdrive is able to handle a maximum of 400 ft/lbs torque input (again, can be built for much greater loads), so either tranny can handle the 5.9, the larger one will just return longer useful life by virtue of larger parts.
TransGo? It should come from the factory with that kit!
You should already have the 8.25 rear, and it's fully capable of handling any hot streetable smallblock engine. These rears were used in 5,000 lb 2WD RamChargers, and are still used in full-size vans.
The early Dakotas were never intended to have V8's, so the springs were aimed at V6's only. However, with the 1989 Shelby Dakota, they were V6 Dakota Sports with 318's swapped in, and Shelby decals/interior. No suspension changes were made. They were stock V6 Sport suspensions. We're talking about, maybe 50-60 lbs more for the V8, so it'd be fine. (People add that much weight all the time with HD bumpers and winches....don't see them replacing the front springs for that). If it rode a little lower (at most, maybe an inch) in the front, you could always stiffen the springs with helper springs til you could get some heavier units later on. No biggie.
Naturally, you would want the throttle body, exhaust manifolds and distributor for the V8.
Also, if automatic, you will need the torque converter for the V8.
What year is the 5.9? What year is the truck? From 1996 on the external balance weight is on the flexplate, and the bolt pattern will not work on pre-'96. Pre-1996, the balance weight is on the torque converter, so they flexplate and converter must be a matched pair...either pre-'96, or 1996 and newer.
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Wesley
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2005
15:43:03
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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Its a 2003 manual
I havent found a new engine yet I was going to wait and get some feed back before I bought anything ... any certain year I should look for ... I was looking at an 2002-2003 5.9
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Pacman
Dodge Dakota
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7/07/2005
20:45:14
|  RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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Satakieli,
I bought my R/T with an intercooler installed. Two questions: 1. Does it cool engine oil or tranny? 2. Is there an extra "goody" on my truck I don't know about? Why would the previous owner put one on it?
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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7/08/2005
02:27:24
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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No special year, but 1996 and newer will make the swap easier with the electronics. Be sure to use the flywheel for the 5.9 Magnum so the external balance will be correct. Remember that, while the Magnum cranks are usually drilled for use with a manual tranny, they typically are not finished, and do not have the pilot shaft bearing installed when installed with an automatic tranny. Finding one originally coupled with a stick would make the job easier.
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capone
Dodge Dakota
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7/09/2005
01:00:05
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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I'm in the process of making this swap myself. The only trouble
I'm having is finding some heavier front springs. Does anyone
know where to find a good aftermarket product with a higher
capacity than the original V6 springs? My local dealer says
Chrystler discontinued the V8 springs.
Thanks for your help.
- capone
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Wesley
Dodge Dakota
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7/09/2005
19:10:31
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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What all are you having to changing out in your switch??
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Satakieli
Dodge Dakota
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7/13/2005
09:57:59
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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It might be installed by previous owner, or you might just be looking at the tranny oil cooler. I havent had the privelage of owning or even working on an R/T yet. So i cant tell you from personal experience what your looking at. I only have some shop repair manuals here and access to internet auto libraries.
Gen1dak your right thanks for pointing out my mistake :-p.
Take it from my swap. Go post-96. I have so much fun tuning and playing around with my daks computer. It takes a lot more work but in the long run its worth it.
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Pacman
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2005
20:51:03
|  RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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I believe it is a tranny oil cooler. I followed the lines back. You mentioned access to internet auto libraries. Can you give me a couple sites? I'm probably going to break down and buy a real Dodge oem manual. (Can't find a Haynes manual for 2000 R/T)
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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7/14/2005
21:56:43
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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"My local dealer says
Chrystler discontinued the V8 springs."
I would say that your dealer is an idiot.
There are plenty of after market springs and plenty of people selling stock R/T springs on various forums.
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JimmyMcGee
Dodge Dakota
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7/16/2005
19:16:09
| RE: 3.9 to a 5.9
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What do you need to change a 3.9 5spd to a 5.9 5spd? Will the transmission bolt up even though the 5.9's all come with automatics?
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