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V8 Dakotas
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Jmacjr1125
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2004
21:37:15

Subject: 4cyl to V8 Upgrade
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I have a 1998 Dakota with a 2.5 4 Cyl.I have not been happy with it since I bought it but have managed.I sometimes pull a trailer and it is very hard on it.It is fine for just highway driving but not when I pull the trailers.I want to upgrade to a 318 V8.I know I will have to buy a new computer and motor mounts.What else will I need to look at such as the radiator,front suspension and rearend gears.I was told by Dodge the tranny will bolt up to the V8.Any input you guys could give would help me alot.It has 115,000 miles on it and has never been in the shop for anything.Just do not want to pay the new truck prices.



nick
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2004
14:15:37

RE: 4cyl to V8 Upgrade
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not sure of any specifics, don't know how big
the 4 cyl. dak. is, but my guess is you'll have to
fight with the engine compartment just to get
the engine in there, never mind the rest of the
crap that goes with it. I can almost guarantee
that the tranny will not match up. The front
suspension would need to be re designed to
handle an engine that's twice as big. The
radiator would have to come fromt he 5.2, etc
etc etc. It's too big of a job to be worth it. Sell
the truck and buy a v8 one.



nick
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2004
14:17:57

RE: 4cyl to V8 Upgrade
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edit: maybe the tranny will match, but it'll
probably tear the thing apart unless it's the
same tranny in all the trucks.



OK
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2004
14:42:53

RE: 4cyl to V8 Upgrade
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The engine compartment on every gen3 is exactly the same size...it's the same friggin truck.

You'll need to swap the whole drive train, wiring harness, PCM. You're looking at $5k-$7k if you go through a bone yard.

Try to look for a write-off and buy the whole thing or if money is an issue just trade the truck or sell it privately and buy the truck you want.



nick
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2004
21:51:24

RE: 4cyl to V8 Upgrade
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in that case, okay.

My opinion: what are they doing putting 2.5 4 cyl. into a truck that big?

Then again: I suppose toyota did that for a long time (and still do)... meh.



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