Well just got done with my conversion. I have to offer thanks to all here who shared their experience. You can't buy that kind of help. I did my conversion with all stock parts and programming with the intent of keeping it smog legal in California. I succeeded! I'll post up pictures and a play by play here over the next few days. Thanks for all your help. But mostly to HemiDak whose thread was the one I found first. You made the difference in deciding to go forward with this project.
I'm finally getting around to reloading the SMALLER pictures. Sorry for my anti-techie-ness. Thanks for viewing!
they plan to make Dakota a more "life style" vehicle in 2010/2011 (so i've heard) which... isn't that what Durango and Jeep is for? or anything with seating for 7 or more?
Using sage advice from HemiDak, I used a truck configuration Hemi. Step one was making motormounts. Since the 5.7 bolted right up to the transmission, I left that in the vehicle. I cut the 4.7l mounts apart and made plates that bolted up to the Hemi.
The next step was to make an oil pan that would clear the front differential. This was probably the hardest part. I used both oil pans, the one from the truck Hemi and the one from the 4.7 to make a 6.5qt custom oil pan.
Welding the oil pan was also a challenge. To keep the bolting surface true, I clamped it to a flat surface while I welded it. Also I welded it in small seperate sections. This kept the pan from distorting too much from the heat.
And don't worry, Engine bay pics coming soon.
painted
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