SPP=Scott
02-06-2009, 08:11 PM
Hi all, I have been lurking and asking questions on this site the last few months. Because of the information provided by HemiDak, 69RRbruce, and Cegpcola, I decided to do a hemi swap into my 1998 RC sport Dakota. Thanks for posting all the information guys!
I have owned the truck since 1999 and have put about 160,000 miles on the stock v6 and trans. The trans has gone out which is what prompted me to do this swap.
I am installing a 5.7L engine from a 2003 Ram 1500, the transmission came from an 05 Ram.
Since the truck had so many miles on it I knew that the suspension needed to be redone. I also decided to upgrade to 03 Durango disc brakes front and rear. I found out some interesting things regarding Dakota/Durango brakes during that brake swap that are noted below.
After disassembling and inspecting the front end. I found that everything was pretty much shot. That would explain the funny noises I kept hearing from the front end!
I ordered Moog upper and lower ball joints, Moog rubber upper and lower bushings, inner and outer tie rod ends, Energy suspension swap bar bushings, and KYB shocks. I had previously bought from a member of this site, front and rear RT springs and sway bars.
After cleaning everything up, repainting, and replacing the ball joints and bushings in the control arms, (that was a lot of fun) I was ready to reassemble everything. The reassembly went fairly easy, I didn't really have any problems.
With the front end completed I decided that it was time to tackle the rear.
Since this truck is a daily driver that will be used for towing I wanted to upgrade the stock 8.25 rear axle for a 9.25. I bought a 9.25 open diff 3.55 off of a quad cab Dakota on Craigs list for 100.00. I also bought a set of 3.92 gears and a trac loc carrier to upgrade the axle with. The gears will be installed next week and then I will be able to get the rear end reinstalled. I don't have any pictures yet of the rear end but will get some up within the next week or so.
I installed new rear spring hangers to level out the truck. They are supposed to be a 2" inch drop. I am curious to see if it levels the truck or if the truck actually looks to low in back.
I will also be installing KYB shocks in the rear. The shocks that I used in the rear are actually 2.25" shorter than stock. I contacted KYB asking for some shorter than stock shocks that would mount to the stock Dakota mounts. They directed me to part # KG5557. This shock fits a 1980's early 90's Volkswagon Vanagon. So for everyone that needs shorter than stock shocks for the rear, there ya go.
Regarding the disc brake swap. The 03 Durango shares little in common with the 03-04 Dakota setup. The backing plates are completely different. The rotors are also not interchangeable between the two, the 03 Durango rear rotors are ventilated while the 03-04 Dakota are solid. The calipers and front spindles are the same but I think that is about it. The brake swap was easy except that I ordered rotors for a Dakota that I ended up having to return because they would not fit my Durango parts. For those of you that are doing this swap just keep in mind that they are different setups.
First picture is truck before it was disassembled.
Second picture is 03 Durango rotors, calipers, spindles, etc. from junkyard.
Third picture is comparison of 97-02 rotor and 03 rotor size.
fourth picture is front suspension after reassembly.
fifth picture is comparison of 97-02 caliper and a slightly cleaned up 03 caliper.
sixth picture is stock rear shock compared to the shorter KYB Vanagon rear shock.
Can someone explain how to put pictures in the body of the post like in the 69RRbruce thread rather than using thumbnails. It would be much easier to explain the pics.
I have owned the truck since 1999 and have put about 160,000 miles on the stock v6 and trans. The trans has gone out which is what prompted me to do this swap.
I am installing a 5.7L engine from a 2003 Ram 1500, the transmission came from an 05 Ram.
Since the truck had so many miles on it I knew that the suspension needed to be redone. I also decided to upgrade to 03 Durango disc brakes front and rear. I found out some interesting things regarding Dakota/Durango brakes during that brake swap that are noted below.
After disassembling and inspecting the front end. I found that everything was pretty much shot. That would explain the funny noises I kept hearing from the front end!
I ordered Moog upper and lower ball joints, Moog rubber upper and lower bushings, inner and outer tie rod ends, Energy suspension swap bar bushings, and KYB shocks. I had previously bought from a member of this site, front and rear RT springs and sway bars.
After cleaning everything up, repainting, and replacing the ball joints and bushings in the control arms, (that was a lot of fun) I was ready to reassemble everything. The reassembly went fairly easy, I didn't really have any problems.
With the front end completed I decided that it was time to tackle the rear.
Since this truck is a daily driver that will be used for towing I wanted to upgrade the stock 8.25 rear axle for a 9.25. I bought a 9.25 open diff 3.55 off of a quad cab Dakota on Craigs list for 100.00. I also bought a set of 3.92 gears and a trac loc carrier to upgrade the axle with. The gears will be installed next week and then I will be able to get the rear end reinstalled. I don't have any pictures yet of the rear end but will get some up within the next week or so.
I installed new rear spring hangers to level out the truck. They are supposed to be a 2" inch drop. I am curious to see if it levels the truck or if the truck actually looks to low in back.
I will also be installing KYB shocks in the rear. The shocks that I used in the rear are actually 2.25" shorter than stock. I contacted KYB asking for some shorter than stock shocks that would mount to the stock Dakota mounts. They directed me to part # KG5557. This shock fits a 1980's early 90's Volkswagon Vanagon. So for everyone that needs shorter than stock shocks for the rear, there ya go.
Regarding the disc brake swap. The 03 Durango shares little in common with the 03-04 Dakota setup. The backing plates are completely different. The rotors are also not interchangeable between the two, the 03 Durango rear rotors are ventilated while the 03-04 Dakota are solid. The calipers and front spindles are the same but I think that is about it. The brake swap was easy except that I ordered rotors for a Dakota that I ended up having to return because they would not fit my Durango parts. For those of you that are doing this swap just keep in mind that they are different setups.
First picture is truck before it was disassembled.
Second picture is 03 Durango rotors, calipers, spindles, etc. from junkyard.
Third picture is comparison of 97-02 rotor and 03 rotor size.
fourth picture is front suspension after reassembly.
fifth picture is comparison of 97-02 caliper and a slightly cleaned up 03 caliper.
sixth picture is stock rear shock compared to the shorter KYB Vanagon rear shock.
Can someone explain how to put pictures in the body of the post like in the 69RRbruce thread rather than using thumbnails. It would be much easier to explain the pics.