[willysdakota]

Ok, So I bought a 1999 dodge dakota SLT club-cab 5.2 L automatic 4x4 it was crashed in the front I thought it would be a simple fix turns out the frame was pushed back 4" and was unable to be salvaged

so I my thoughts were buy a donor truck or frame to swap what I have onto it.


So I bought a 2000 dodge dakota sport 4x4 automatic with a 4.7L

Well I started the whole swap and removed both bodies off the frame and this is what I have found, Both front and rear differentials were different from my original truck. original truck has bolt in axles, and the donor has slip on. then the mounts where offset for the differential so I used the donors differential mounts which worked axles in everything is bolted up no problem. thinking the 5.2 engine brackets would work. the trans mount doesn't reach the subframe, the engine mounts look the same but don't line up so I am lost. do I try and get the 4.7 engine brackets that attach to the mounts, will they bolt to the 5.2L block? I would have simple tried, but I already scrapped most of this to make room in my shop so I do not have the 4.7 motor trans or ecu figured I didnt need it wasnt using any of it. BESIDES now i think i need those brackets.

also the original truck had a steering box, the donor has a rack and pinion. everything fit there just different frame style.

with the transmission subframe if I flip it around it looks like it will work but will not bolt back up while backwards it has 4 bolts on each side with it backwards 2 bolts per side will fit the other two per side are 1/2" off set.

any ideas would be great I have the computer and all the wiring no issues there.

 

[4Lo]

Stop what your doing because what your attemting to do sounds like a liability once (if) you get it licenced and on the road driving. These two trucks are completely different beasts. I am glad you wont be driving that truck anywhere near where I live and my family.

 

[willysdakota]

Ok thanks for the I guess information. Hmmm what would be dangerous about this vehicle that I have used everything the factory has and swapped it around. I just was trying to figure out what brackets will work for the 5.2l in a 2000 dodge dakota that is a 4x4
that had a 4.7l in it.

 

[duramaxdodge]

Stop what your doing because what your attemting to do sounds like a liability once (if) you get it licenced and on the road driving. These two trucks are completely different beasts. I am glad you wont be driving that truck anywhere near where I live and my family.

That's a little dramatic, I suppose every single custom engine swap ever done is a danger on the road?

I just was trying to figure out what brackets will work for the 5.2l in a 2000 dodge dakota that is a 4x4
that had a 4.7l in it.

As far as I know the engine mount for the 4.7/3.9/5.9 is the same for those years. What you need is the bracket that goes from the mount to the engine block. They never made a 5.2 in those years but the 3.9/5.9 bracket from those years should work as the blocks are identical. Even the 3.9 is the same because although it is shorter, the mounts are still the same distance from the transmission. If you go to one of those websites that sells genuine mopar parts online you'll see the part numbers are the same for the mounts and the brackets.

edit: I dug up the part numbers for ya..

left side (no longer available online but the pic is still there)
52020247AC
right side (available for $25 ha ha...)
52020346AB

You can see them here..
http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=543322&ukey_product=4396778

If you click on the part# and go to the bottom you'll see a fitment/applications list that shows you all the vehicles that part is good for. Says 3.9 and 5.9 from 2000 to 2003.

 

[willysdakota]

Thanks for the information. I'm going to try and get these parts and see where I get. Hopefully she will bolt up.

Thanks again

 

[willysdakota]

swapping 5.2L any one run into this for 4x4

Ok so I have a 99 dakota SLT 4x4 5.2L full swap
trans,ecu,wiring harness, diffs everything

SOOO I thought I could swap everything over. WRONG

tried to install into a 2000 dakota sport 4x4 chassis which had the 4.7L in it._____ WHICH NEVER FROM THE FACTORY HAD AN OPTION FOR A 5.2 ONLY 5.9

removed all the 4.7 liter stuff and swapped over everything from my 99 chassis
differentials everything except the motor mounts where aluminum for the 4.7L and it was the only way I could bolt up the front differential the 5.2 mounts were not offset like the aluminum one so I tried the 4.7L mounts that bolt to frame and differential. because they worked.

The 5.2 mounts are steel and were not offset, they would not line up in the 2000 chassis!!!!
remember now I took the front differential from the 99 chassis with mounts and bolt in style axles. I used the 4.7L motor/diff mounts to fit it to the new 00 chassis. and everything bolted up perfectly no problems.

when lining up the motor its slightly off, first the transmission is not reaching the crossmember for the transmission mount. and the steel brackets that bolt to the motor almost need tweaked to fit right.


Ok so I took the advice I just got from you guys and I looked up the motor mounts and brackets and had photos faxed to my job I am an auto mechanic. the 3.9L and the 5.9L engine mounts/ brackets look identical.

the 4.7 is the only one that is the odd ball with the aluminum style mounts

the 5.2 looks the same as the 3.9L and the 5.9L my only problem is the mounts are not offset to fit.


my thoughts on this process is either I need the 5.9L front 4x4 differential not sure even then that would fit the chassis with the 5.9L mounts or would I be in the same boat I am now using the 4.7L brackets to make it fit???

or I need the 4.7L engine brackets that bolt to the motor so the 5.2L engine will fit correctly thoughts- does the 4.7L brackets fit the 5.2L engine ????

also even if I get the engine to fit how are you guys getting the transmission to the crossmember is there a kit or do I need another transmission?????

 

[Dakota J]

Buddy you have a mess on your hands. As for any of us that have done motor swaps, it can be done, just don't give up. Most people who have a 3.9,5.2,or 5.9 typically only go to a bigger engine in that class. Others like myself who had 4.7, or someone with a 3.7, typically go to the 5.7. The 4.7 is its own Block, and doesn't resemble the previous generation block. So I seriously doubt the 4.7 motor mounts will bolt up to a 5.2 block. I believe I still have mine if you're intrested in them. Secondly, the 5.2 had a 44RE and later a 46RE transmission, where the 4.7 had a 45RFE and later they changed the programming to a 545 RFE.(same case though) Now I'm not sure what the difference between the motor mount perches, and the transmission crossmember are, but there's obviously a difference between them if it not lining up and fitting. I personally would mount the transmission, transfer case, drive shafts first, worry about how to mount the motor at the end. It's a lot easier to fab motor mounts, then a crossmember, and custom drive shafts. The other thing is wiring. Connectors, PCM plugs, TCM plugs, dash light,etc. are all going to change between the two. You definitely didn't pick the easiest swap to do, but it can be done. Just don't give up. Good Luck!

 

[duramaxdodge]

Ok so I took the advice I just got from you guys and I looked up the motor mounts and brackets and had photos faxed to my job I am an auto mechanic. the 3.9L and the 5.9L engine mounts/ brackets look identical.

the 4.7 is the only one that is the odd ball with the aluminum style mounts

the 5.2 looks the same as the 3.9L and the 5.9L my only problem is the mounts are not offset to fit.

1. My 03 with a 3.9 has the big aluminum mounts.

2. I looked up your left motor mount part# 52020243AB, same part number as a 5.9

3. The 3.9 however is a different part number for the MOUNT, not sure why because guys claim to swap 3.9 to 5.9 all the time using the orginal mount. I guess the V8 is the same but maybe a little stronger?

4. I would go by the story that the part numbers from Chrysler tell you and not go by a picture you got via fax. Especially when you claim the problem with the mount you have is a slight offset as that would be hard to detect in a good picture and near impossible in a crappy fax picture.

5. From the info I see, I still think you just need brackets from a 5.9/3.9

 

[willysdakota]

Yeah I am not sure why some are steel and some aluminum.

the 3.9/5.2/5.9 all have the same mounts depending on 4x4 or 2wd and from what I read the 3.9 brackets are further forward on the block. other then that same. I know for a fact 5.2L 5.9L are the same manual or auto as long as its 4x4.

problem I ran into was the dealer discontinued some of the mounts which is dumb, but I found used and aftermarket mounts on eBay, so I sourced a second driver side motor mount for my 5.2L used didn't really trust aftermarket sometimes there mounts are off and its really hard in my situation to messing around with junk parts.

So I am using my 99' dakota SLT 4X4 5.2L
ENGINE BRACKETS
ENGINE MOUNTS
FRONT DIFFERENTIAL
FRONT DRIVESHAFT
REAR DRIVESHAFT
HARNESS AND ECU AND ORIGINAL CAB AND FRAME HARNESS

So I have searched the web and no one makes anything for 4x4 engine swaps everyone either is r/t drag/race or lifted and using solid front axles.
there was two or three companies that look to make decent engine mounts and cross members and other bolt ons but nothing for the 4x4 dakotas.

So I stood back and compared frames and really put some thought into it.

The 99' orginal frame the mounting locations our slightly offset (from tip of front frame to mount on frame was 24' inches). Steering box is in front of mounts.

The 00' new frame mount locations are offset by 4 or more inches. (front tip of front frame to mount on frame was 20' inches). because of the power steering rack the mounts had to be moved to clear the steering shaft connected to it.


So this is why when I try and line up the motor its cocked and doesn't reach cross member, So I found a way to actually use the oem mounts and brackets for the 5.2L to fit the motor correctly, it requires a little fab work.

I started working on it tonight once I get the mount together and put it in bolted up the right way (no jerry rigged crap) I will take photos But I have to experiment and make sure the motor and transmission and differentials are level and everything fits before I can say I made it work. but I am pretty sure from my measurements, in theory everything should line up but we will see what other monkey wrenches get tossed my way.

thanks for the help guys I ll keep you posted on my progress.

so this is why

 

[duramaxdodge]

I recall the 99 5.2 brackets also serve as a diff mount. The left side even goes around the starter. VERY different from the newer style. I prefer the newer style.

 

[77Aspen318]

You have accidentally picked the worst possible scenario. 5.2s had 44REs, and usually 231s behind them. The rear's probably the same but like you noticed- the 4.7s had 45RFEs. The '97-99s had steering boxes while the '00+s had R&P. The 4.7 trans can't be used with an LA due to the electronics, and it's doubtful the mounts bolt up.

3.9s had 42/44REs, 5.9s had 46REs- they were built '00-up. The 5.9 4wd should at least be the same, as seen on crews/Rangos. Keep in mind you have two differences going on here- the ball/trunion and the R&P, as well as the 4.7/LA differences.

IIRC- the 3.9s have always had their own oddball mounts. In the '92 redesign Dakotas started to use those 3.9 mounts for the V8s as well while some applications still used the old truck V8 mounts.

 

[duramaxdodge]

You have accidentally picked the worst possible scenario. .

Yup, as much as I hate the 4.7 I would have just replaced it with one of those. At least they did build a 5.9 in those years. I think finding the proper parts based on that are the key, but some people like to do things the hard way.

 

[willysdakota]

Well fellas with my spare time today I sat the motor in and got it all lined up and bolted up.

-Passenger mount bolted in factory mount and also bolted to front differential

-Driver side fabricated mount in and bolted up to differential

Only thing still off is the transmission mount by maybe 4" or less which I can make a plate to fit. I have to finish bolting up the driveshafts to make sure they all fit and are the right lengths.

but so far everything is going together I will continue again next weekend hopefully my buddy will help me for I can get more done. just very hard lifting and trying to line things up by myself.

Just figured I keep you guys up to date on my progress.

So far things used
All factory 5.2L mounts and brackets
Front differential out of 99 dakota 5.2L
Front axles

(Franken Dakota) In progress

 

[willysdakota]

photos

4.7L passenger and driver side motor mounts offset to clear rack and steering shaft bolted to the 5.2l differential

5.2 motor mount trimmed still test fitting everything will take more photos of completed mount and bolted in.

 

[LoudPedal45]

What did you figure out for the axles? I didn't see anything that said how you mounted the slip on driveshaft to the bolt on axle/pinion gear

 

[cbr600rx7]

This is going to be a tuff one. Your going to have bigger issues with ECU, body, HVAC harness. Not saying it can't be done. But it's going to be a lot of damn work and probably a lot of failed attempts before you get her going.

 

[dave2003]

I wonder if he ever got it figured out....its been almost 2 years since the last post.

 

[dylanthayer47]

Ok thanks for the I guess information. Hmmm what would be dangerous about this vehicle that I have used everything the factory has and swapped it around. I just was trying to figure out what brackets will work for the 5.2l in a 2000 dodge dakota that is a 4x4
that had a 4.7l in it.

Did you find out anything because I have a 5.2l v8 in my garage and the transmission that it was hooked up to and I found a dodge dakota sport that has a 4.7l v8 I found and the transmission doesnt work but the truck the 5.2l came from a none sport dodge dakota and I dont know if the engine mounts and everything will line up or not

 

[4.7l_V8]

Many years later......... I've just rebuilt my first engine, the 4.7l, but having to manufacture a Right mounting bracket as Dodge has discontinued making them (mentioned in original post above). Glad this is "normal". Hope everything worked out great! Thank you for posting.