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V8 Swap Questions

3.9K views 9 replies 3 participants last post by  mopar5.9  
#1 ·
Gonna put a 318 in my son's project 2000 Dakota .
What would be the best year to get the pcm from since in 2000 they didn't have a 318 in the Dakota ? I have read one from a Ram would work with no issues and go directly in .

Trying to buy engine and Pcm this week so need some answers on what is best to use . Thanks
 
#2 ·
In 2000 there where durango' s equipped with the 5.2 l magnum

I recently did a 5.2 to 5.9 swap and 44re to 46re swap i need to tune my pcm as i am still driving with my 5,2 pcm

If you got a v6 i think its possible to splice the wires for the 2 extra injectors and you can run your own pcm or when purchasing a engine get the pcm with it .

The electronics of the 2000 transmission isn' t the same as 1996/1999 I had to swap the electronics of my 1999 in to my 2000 transmission . I dont know if you put in an older pcm if your tranny will work good
 
#3 ·
I was told the PCM from a Durango would not work but one from a ram would
The Dakota has the 42re Transmission in it and plan on leaving it in .
I keep conflicting info in what year PCM I need to use since the Durango supposedly won't work and in 2000 the Dakota wasn't offered with a 5.2 and if the older years won't work then seems like I might be out of luck
 
#6 ·
a Stock 42re transmission will not hold up for long Even the 44re wil not hold long behind a 5.9l Thats why i swap my 44re for the 46re
The 42re and 44re are used for v6/v8 . 3.9l and 5.2l and the 5.9l uses the 46re .
 
#7 ·
Well how hard is to swap in the 46re ? New harness, tcm. Or what ? Thanks
Looks like I just put alot of money into the 42re for nothing , same day I got it going the new 3.9 cracked a head.
 
#8 ·
It is the same as swapping a 42re . You dont need to change harnass . I needed to change my dipstick tube . You also need a 46re torque converter . from 2001 the 46re are different with sensor for the shifter so you need to find a 46re from 2000 . or if you swap electronics from the valve bodie (solenoid & 8 way connector) you also can use a 1996 to 1999 46re so you have more options . when searching for a 46re better look for durango or dakota as the ram 46re has some differents in the housing. you also going to bend the transmission lines by hand so you can route them where the shiftcable bracket sits on the transmission

I have a 2000 46re from a dakota rt and switched the electronics to 1999 from my 44re and all work perfect no codes .My 5.9l magnum is from a 1997 Ram and i put it in a 1999 durango and i am running my 5.2 pcm that is still in the truck . i believe you can switch your electronics from your 42re to the 46re (not sure ) . i swapped my electronics of my 44re from 1999 to my 2000 46re . i have only worked on 44re and 46re but the 42re should be relatively the same .

You have 6 connectors in your engine harnass and when swapping to v8 you need 8 connectors for your fuel injectors .
you can splice 2 extra connectors in to your excisting engine harnass .
 
#9 ·
Should have figured it would be more to it than what everyone says lol..
Having a hard time finding a decent 5.2 or 5.9 around here . Trying not to buy online incase of any issues.
Guess this down time looking for parts gives us time to start body work even though I wanted to get all motor crap done first .

Sure I will have more questions as I get into this project . Thanks for your help and knowledge