Dodge Dakota ForumDodge Dakota PhotosDodgeDakota.net Membership
  Forums   Forum Tools
10:06:27 - 03/28/2024

V8 Dakotas
FromMessage
SXT DAK MAN
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


7/07/2006
17:29:54

Subject: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
If I were to swap for a 5.9 from a 3.9 would I have to change my transmission or would my 3.9s tranny be able to hold the imporved power and torque.



jclaus98
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/25/2006
04:07:48

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
Absolutely not. Your AX-15(3.9L tranny) is rated to handle about 200 ponies MAX, a stock 5.9L from the factory cranked out right around 265 ponies. That equation equals disaster. The good news is, if you drop your AX-15 and swap it for the NV3500 that came standard with the 5.9L, you won't get charged the core charge. Nice. Good luck, I did the same thing with mine and I LOVEEEEE it!!!



trey
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/31/2006
22:42:37

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
It all depends on the setup, the 360 with fat rubber and posi will kill the tranny, but if you plan on leaving the open rear and are not running huge meats the tires will break loose way before the trans comes apart. I ran a 5.9 in my 93 for 2 years with the mits. 5-speed, with a locker but running 235/70/15's, the rears roasted and the trans lived.



Adam
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

7/31/2006
23:43:32

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
You can put the NV3500 behind the 5.9 with no probs? That's what I have for my 3.9 right now. I wanted to swap to a 5.2 because I figured that it can handle the power but if they have them with the 5.9's also then I might have to rethink some things.



craig
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

8/05/2006
20:09:21

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
im thinkin about doin the same thing in my 02 cc sport. so im lookin at getting a transmission too?



craig
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

8/05/2006
20:13:28

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
jclaus, im assuming you had to change all your motor mounts? where did you find your 5.9 and new trans at? im fixin to start scanning the junk yards for them



jclaus98
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

8/06/2006
22:20:51

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
Craig, the only thing that I had to change was the engine(3.9L to 5.2L), transmission(AX-15 to NV3500), and a new computer. It is VERY important that you make sure that either the engine you get was out of a manual transmission vehilce, or that the recycler gives you a wiring harness from a vehicle that had a manual transmission with the same engine. That was a huge problem I had with mine, 90% of the 5.2L or 5.9L produced had automatic transmissions behind them, as such if you've got a Dakota, it is very difficult to find an engine harness that had a manual transmission behind it. But, after everything was said and done, it went into the engine bay without any problems, I used everything else that I had from the old 3.9L that I needed and I absolutely love it. After driving the, what I think to be, gutless six cylinder for so long, I still grin from ear to ear everytime I leave a stoplight and leave some rice burning POS choking in the tire smoke, and my truck is a 4x4! So, go ahead craig, do what you gotta do to make that thing a tire burnin, rice rocket eater!



craig
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

8/07/2006
02:46:32

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
jclaus, thanks for everything youve been such a help! but on the manual trans part, (i have an automatic) i should still make sure he gives me a wiring harness for a manual? your probably explaining it perfect im just not understanding. i dont mean to be a pain but, how come? you didnt have to change your motor mounts or anything? and what kind of gas mileage do you get?! (im so excited i found someone who did this so i can ask all my questions to! i know i have a few and im sorry) ive been thinking about gettin a 4.7, gas being the only reason. im throwin a 3 inch lift on it with 33x12.50 mud tires and i just dont think the 6 will get it done. my truck has 31x10s on there and it gets going..ok..but i want more. i want to be thrown back in my seat when i mash the gas. i want to be able to burn the tires and do dounuts on pavement. but when i mash the gas in my 6..it doesnt even down shift to get going faster. it just creeps faster i hate it its so slow. passing people is a pain i have to double pump the gas, and forget off the line. thats a joke. id love to go with a 5.9 no doubt. the extra power in the woods would be nice too. i just want to know what im getting into before i do it i guess. im pretty much just scanning the junk yards to see if i can find a good motor and trans with not that many miles on them.



jclaus98
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
 Email

8/07/2006
12:42:25

RE: Swapping out to a 5.9
IP: Logged

Message:
Craig, don't be sorry man! Ask away! I searched and searched here before I did mine trying to find anybody who had done it, but couldn't get anyone to answer me, so ask whatever you want, I'm glad to lend my powers of experience to you! Ok, now, if you've got a 3.9L, auto, you cannot switch to a manual. Actually, you can, but it is a major undertaking, I think Keisler automotive sells a kit, but it would be more trouble than it would be worth. But, the good news is if you have an automatic trans, I don't think you'll need to change it. I think the dakotas all came with either 42RE or 42RLE trannys, something like that. Both of those will handle the power of a 8 cylinder. Check the sticker in the bottom of your glove box, it will tell you everything about what your truck in particular came with. So, if you've got an automatic, just make sure that the engine you get had an automatic, I thought you had said you had a manual, that's why I gave you the whole wiring harness thing. If you've got an auto now, you should be just fine as most daks came with autos. As far as engine mounts, I really changed absolutely nothing, the mangnum engine block has four different engine mount points built into the block. The dakota and ram pickup trucks use the three point mounts about mid-way down the block on each side. So, I assure you, as long as you get a magnum block(which is impossible not to get, unless you are looking for it) you will be just fine. As far as gas milage, it really depends on how I drive it. Keep in mind, I've got the 5.2L, so mileage could differ greatly from a 4.7L to a 5.9L, I really don't know. If I stomp on it everywhere I go, I can get as bad as 8mpg(which does happen sometimes), but if I am liberal with it, which is still light years quicker than the 6, I consistantly get 13-14mpg. I didn't change my tank or pump so it really has allowed me to compare and comtrast how my fuel consumption differs. Honestly, I get about a half day less out of a tank of gas with the 8. That's going to and from work, which is about half freeway, half city. I installed a special exhaust on mine(totally illegal in cali) which is a true dual exhaust, and that is what made the biggest difference. Before that, my milage was about 11-12mpg, after the exhaust I'm now getting about 13-14mpg. That is exactly what I was getting with my 6, no joke. With the exhaust, I lost a tiny bit of low-end torque, but gained alot of upper-end horsepower as well as the improved gas mileage. Having said all that about gas, I need to say this: the power difference is IMENSE. No joke, my truck gets up an goes so much quicker than the panzy 6, it's disgusting. I have a 4x4, 32x11.50r15, and it still chirps the tires shifting into 2nd. I was lucky to get the tires to spin in first with the 6. So, hopfully, I've made some sense and you'll be able to gain some knowledge from my experience, if something doesn't make sense, ask me to clear it up and I will be more than happy to help, good luck!



   P 1


Post a reply to this message:

Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages


Name:
Email:
Notify me when I get a reply to my message:Yes  No

Icons:            

          

Subject:
Message:
 



Home | Forums | Members | Pictures | Contact Us

This site is in no way affiliated with Chrysler or any of its subsidiaries.