[Xtrah]

Alright, so I hurt my leg on Tuesday night, and I'm probably going to be out of my truck for well over 2-3 weeks, depending on my MRI results tomorrow. So anyway, my parents have decided to help me start working on my Christmas present, a new engine for my truck. So decisions, decisions, decisions, we hope to buy the motor by mid-late september, and start installation soon after. At the moment I have probably 3k to work with for a start, but the amount could go up.

So currently, heres what I'm running
1998 Dodge Dakota Sport
2.5L 5 Speed
RC
------------
I'd like to keep in the standard realm, but it really just seems kind of hopeless. Seems I'd go with the TKO-600, and that would be well over 2k just for the tranny. I also assume I'm going to have to change out the rear-end stuff aswell, but I'm not sure, especially as to how much it would cost. So what are my options for tranny, either manual or automatic, and is converting from manual to automatic going to be a major pain in the tail end?

Assuming I do go with an automatic, I'm planning on putting a 5.9 in the truck. I'll probably buy a Mopar Performance PCM, instead of a stock PCM when I buy the engine stuff. I hope to install the engine with quite a few mods on it already, so I can just get 1 set of headers, 1 exhaust system, basically, I don't want to buy the engine with some of the extra stuff already on it, so I wont end up having spare crap laying around. Any parts yall have, would greatly be appreciated, or if yall can point me in the right direction... Hopefully I'll have it running right by Christmas, lol, cause I'll be driving a ferd tauras (aka sad ugly car) until I get the truck running. Lookin for a N/A setup, but I would love to supercharge the truck next year.

I may have missed something here, but I hope not. Hopefully everything will get rolling once I can find some good deals. Another thing, I don't care if its a hopeless build that would just be cheaper to buy another truck, I've heard it a thousand times. I'm a stubborn kid and I'm gonna do it how I want to do it, so don't try and convince me not to do it. Oh, and this truck is my Daily Driver, so nothing too rediculous, oh and, I will never run NOS on my truck

[Xtrah]

 

[red9535]

Alright, so I hurt my leg on Tuesday night, and I'm probably going to be out of my truck for well over 2-3 weeks, depending on my MRI results tomorrow. So anyway, my parents have decided to help me start working on my Christmas present, a new engine for my truck. So decisions, decisions, decisions, we hope to buy the motor by mid-late september, and start installation soon after. At the moment I have probably 3k to work with for a start, but the amount could go up.

So currently, heres what I'm running
1998 Dodge Dakota Sport
2.5L 5 Speed
RC
------------
I'd like to keep in the standard realm, but it really just seems kind of hopeless. Seems I'd go with the TKO-600, and that would be well over 2k just for the tranny. I also assume I'm going to have to change out the rear-end stuff aswell, but I'm not sure, especially as to how much it would cost. So what are my options for tranny, either manual or automatic, and is converting from manual to automatic going to be a major pain in the tail end?

Assuming I do go with an automatic, I'm planning on putting a 5.9 in the truck. I'll probably buy a Mopar Performance PCM, instead of a stock PCM when I buy the engine stuff. I hope to install the engine with quite a few mods on it already, so I can just get 1 set of headers, 1 exhaust system, basically, I don't want to buy the engine with some of the extra stuff already on it, so I wont end up having spare crap laying around. Any parts yall have, would greatly be appreciated, or if yall can point me in the right direction... Hopefully I'll have it running right by Christmas, lol, cause I'll be driving a ferd tauras (aka sad ugly car) until I get the truck running. Lookin for a N/A setup, but I would love to supercharge the truck next year.

I may have missed something here, but I hope not. Hopefully everything will get rolling once I can find some good deals. Another thing, I don't care if its a hopeless build that would just be cheaper to buy another truck, I've heard it a thousand times. I'm a stubborn kid and I'm gonna do it how I want to do it, so don't try and convince me not to do it. Oh, and this truck is my Daily Driver, so nothing too rediculous, oh and, I will never run NOS on my truck

[Xtrah]

2.5 5 speed - 5.9 automatic = good luck. AT LEAST an entire new driveline. I'm sure you'll run into tons of shit that will go wrong and won't work properly. It's an entirely different family of engines.

2.5 5 speed - 5.9 5 speed = even more good luck. I don't konw if your trans will bolt up.. if it does, it probably won't last very long (4 banger to 5.9 is a big jump in power.. but for what it's worth, my 3.9 auto trans 42RE is holding up just fine) Assuming your trans bolts up and works, you'll need to replace almost EVERYTHING under the hood to get it to work. I don't know what's compatable and what isn't - but dont be too suprised if basically nothing from your 2.5 truck will work on the 5.9. New master cylinder/power steering/AC/alternator/power distribution ceter/wiring harness/PCM/engine/radiator/cooling hoses/heater hoses/forget about the ABS EVER working/every sensor and every plug etc etc etc.. that doesnt even get started on the motor mount issue.. are they even the same? I wouldnt be suprised if it doesn't bolt up..

I'd say forget the idea of supercharging or whatever right now.. you're going to have a HUGE project on your hands. It's not just drop in bolt up and fire up.. it's going to require a good amount of fabrication and engineering. Not to mention a whole new exhaust system.. (yours probably won't line up.. i dont know, but i think it's safe for you to assume that NOTHING is going to be the same. 3.9/5.2/5.9 is 1 thing.. 2.5 is completely different from the rest of the motors)

Have you entertained the idea of building up your 2.5? the same amount of $$ we're talking could buy you a sick twin turbo setup, intercooled and all.. that'd be badass as hell

 

[hskrRT]

You're probabaly looking at close to $6K for the conversion. New motor, new trans, new driveshaft, PCm and wiring harness for the 5.9, plus the difference in the sesnors for the tranny and speed sensors. Will also need to re-do the suspension for the extra weight of the 5.9. Then you will need new wheels/tires to handle the extra power.

IMO, just buy a new truck with a 5.2/5.9/4.7 in it. You can pick up a used 2001 or older for less than it will cost you to convert your truck to a 5.9L.

 

[bad360rt]

With as cheap as R/T's are selling for these days, it makes absolutely no sense at all to undertake a swap like this. Nothing that is currently on your truck should be used with a 5.9 setup, so you're going to be replacing literally everything, engine, trans, rearend/axle, pcm, complete wiring harness. A professional shop would be hard pressed to do the swap by Christams.

But I saw the last part of your post where you said you're stubborn and you're gonna do the swap anyway, so good luck with the build, let us know how it goes nethumb:

 

[Xtrah]

Well, if it does end up being like more than 4k just for the swap, I'll be getting a different truck. But just trying to convince me isn't going to work The reason is because my truck only KBB's for around 1.5k lol which is really sad... So trying to trade it is next to worthless...

[Xtrah]

 

[mtlcafan79]

Buy a new truck. There's lots of r/t's you can pick up in the $5-6k range. Your swap is not worth it.

 

[bad360rt]

Well, if it does end up being like more than 4k just for the swap, I'll be getting a different truck. But just trying to convince me isn't going to work The reason is because my truck only KBB's for around 1.5k lol which is really sad... So trying to trade it is next to worthless...

[Xtrah]

Unless you get an entire R/T drivetrain from a junkyard, it will definitely cost you more than $4k. Not to mention you said this truck is your DD, there are all kinds of potential problems with a full swap like that. Much better to start fresh with a truck that comes with the parts to handle a V8 (rearend, suspension, etc.).

Start shopping around, $1.5k for your current truck + $4k that you were gonna put into the swap and you can pick up a decent R/T.

 

[red9535]

Hey man, go look at my swap thread and read through it - people told me the same stuff! The proof is in the pudding - this sounds like an awesome project, and if you want to do it, have fun and keep us updated!

However, for what it's worth, i'd say that this swap is 100% not worth it. For the money that you will spend and the time you will spend trying to make it work properly, you're going to wish you'd have just bought an RT

 

[Xtrah]

The reason I said that I was not interested in getting a truck, was because I didn't want people to come along saying that it wasn't possible, because anything is possible, just maybe not practical. Mainly the reason I can't get an R/T at this moment, is because I can't work. My injury to my leg is going to keep me out of making cash for a bit. Another truck may be the ebst answer to this one, which really is depressing because I don't know if it will ever happen now. I got my truck in Dec of '06 for $4500, I didn't pay for it. Parents are okay with the swap, and are even going to help provide funding, but I'm not sure how okay they would be if I told them I wanted to sell my truck, for a ton less than we bought it for.
Well, anyway... I hope everything works out for the best, now to try and convince them about the SY R/T that is for sale on the board lol

[Xtrah]

 

[red9535]

The reason I said that I was not interested in getting a truck, was because I didn't want people to come along saying that it wasn't possible, because anything is possible, just maybe not practical. Mainly the reason I can't get an R/T at this moment, is because I can't work. My injury to my leg is going to keep me out of making cash for a bit. Another truck may be the ebst answer to this one, which really is depressing because I don't know if it will ever happen now. I got my truck in Dec of '06 for $4500, I didn't pay for it. Parents are okay with the swap, and are even going to help provide funding, but I'm not sure how okay they would be if I told them I wanted to sell my truck, for a ton less than we bought it for.
Well, anyway... I hope everything works out for the best, now to try and convince them about the SY R/T that is for sale on the board lol

[Xtrah]

Sorry man, but if you're too hurt to work, i'm not sure how you expect to do the amount of physical labor included in doing an engine/trans/driveshaft/rear axle/entire suspension swap.. let alone all the bullshit that's inevitebly going to come along with it. If you decide to try, we're all behind you and here to give advice and share knowlege.. but I wouldn't expect to come on here and hear anyone really encourage you to do it

 

[hskrRT]

They won't agree with selling the truck for less than you paid, but they are okay with spending a ton of money to put a motor into the truck that will keep you from being able to drive it for who knows how long, as well as all the little bugs that WILL pop up requiring more money to fix. If your parents have any financial knowledge at all, they will see how it is more logical to just get a new truck than to waste so much money to do what you want. By the time you are all said and done and get it running properly, you will have sunk more money into the swap than you would have spent buying another truck.

5.2L SLT with towing package. Currently $2500 with one day left
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-D...QQitemZ290155901735QQihZ019QQcategoryZ6196QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

5.2L 4x4 SLT with bored/stroked motor(393ci) 4.11 gear, 6" lift $2800 2 days left(reserve auction)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/High...QQitemZ300143759134QQihZ020QQcategoryZ6196QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Autotrader. All V8's, all under $5K and all within 300 miles of Oklahoma City
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searc...rtified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=

 

[red9535]

as well as all the little bugs that WILL pop up requiring more money to fix.

Not if you do a good job

I did my swap in 1 weekend, and only ran into 1 'bug'.. which was because I forgot to hook up my alternator :jester:

 

[hskrRT]

But you were going from a 3.9 to a 5.9. There's a lot more of a difference between the 4cyl and a 5.9, than between the 3.9 and 5.9. The 3.9 is basically the same motor as the 5.9, only missing a couple cylinders. He has to change a lot more than you did, and will be spending a lot more money to get everything he needs. He'll need a whole new wiring harness, along with the engine, transmission, and PCM.

Logically, and financially, he will just be better of buying a truck with a V8 already in it, then trying to swap one into his 4cyl. Only time I'd recommend he do the swap is if he was building it for a race only vehicle and didn't need it for a daily driver.

 

[red9535]

But you were going from a 3.9 to a 5.9. There's a lot more of a difference between the 4cyl and a 5.9, than between the 3.9 and 5.9. The 3.9 is basically the same motor as the 5.9, only missing a couple cylinders. He has to change a lot more than you did, and will be spending a lot more money to get everything he needs. He'll need a whole new wiring harness, along with the engine, transmission, and PCM.

Logically, and financially, he will just be better of buying a truck with a V8 already in it, then trying to swap one into his 4cyl. Only time I'd recommend he do the swap is if he was building it for a race only vehicle and didn't need it for a daily driver.

Oh yeah, I entirely agree.. read my other posts. The point I was trying to make by my last comment was, if you do all your research, cover EVERY base before you even think about touching your truck, and get everything you need, and do it all right the 1st time, then you're less likely to run into problems. He has a lot more to think about than I did, but if he's got his heart set on it, it's definitely do-able. And the better job you do, the less bugs you'll run into. That's all I was saying.