So I have a 1999 dodge Dakota extended cab with a bad 5.2 motor. But the body is in great shape. But I have a buddy that’s been trying to sell me a 2006 Dodge Durango with the 5.7 and all wheel drive and beat up body. Well I have no use for a Durango. So I had the idea to swap engine and drivetrains. To make the Dakota all wheel drive. But I wanted to do some more research before I bought a doner car. What I was wondering was, will the 1999 Dakota body fit on the 2006 Durango frame? Or would it be better to just put the engine and drivetrain in the Dakota?
2006 Durango frame swap on 1999 Dakota
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A drivetrain swap is going to be much more do-able. The frames are vastly different between Dakotas and Durangos, and yours are even different generations.
Ok. So I should be able to just drop and swap the front and rear diffs than? I guess I’m more curious if the whole axle assembly would be close or if it would be to wide? I’m worried if I use the Dakota diffs, I’ll just keep trashing them.
I'm no expert on this (other things, yes) but I really meant engine/transmission. And there are a lot of questions -- wiring harness, controllers, dash, you name it... motor mounts, oil pan, etc. Seems like a huge project. You'd be much better off finding a similar year (as your) Dakota as your donor. There's nothing inherently wrong with the 5.2.
I'm just pretty certain you can't put a Dak on a Durango frame. Really different.
I'm just pretty certain you can't put a Dak on a Durango frame. Really different.
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Uhhh ...
The rearend can be swapped; takes new mounts for the shocks welded on, and may take swapping the spring perches.
But.
Unless it's a 9.25, it's the same dang rear end. Front end, if it's not a larger one, it's the same gear set.
Maybe find out what you're doing to destroy them, and quit that?
RwP
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