3.9 to 5.9 magnum swap in my 2000 Dodge Dakota

[olds307 and 403]

Here is the knocking 3.9.

The 5.9 replacement painted Hemi Orange. The injector connectors are different and I had to wire in the other injectors and add the pins in the harness.

I was dragging my *ss on this project but then circumstances beyond my control and I went into high gear. Unfortunately the V8 computer did not work so I sent it to B&G Performance to match it to my truck and add a custom tune. So hopefully right after Christmas I will receive the computer back. Here is the circumstance I was talking about.

Block heater shorted out. I am now driving the 88 CSC, something I said I would never do in winter again. I miss the Olds powered 4x4, my own fault for ignoring it and putting money into a Dodge. Seriously a 5.9 Dakota should be similar to the Olds powered 4x4, all low end torque. Hopefully with the custom tune it will get what the V6 got with tons more power.

 

[foxtrot]

Sorry for your loss with the truck! Hopefully nobody was injured.

 

[olds307 and 403]

No one in it Frank, Thank Goodness! I had dual block heaters, won't do that again. Sucks, was a good truck and not easy to replace either. This Dakota better move, has big shoes to fill.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Here is the truck in question, I just recently blacked out the tail and marker lights, this picture is older.

 

[pencero]

Nice swap, is that 5.9 beefed up and rebuilt / valve train? It looks mean! I drive a 5.9 durango and it is great, can't say the same for the transmission however, which throws aggravating inconsistent shifts and would have been much better off with just 1 more gear.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Stock but lower mileage and will be getting bolt ons. I like the gearing on the 42RE, hope it holds up, has pretty much indentical gearing to the 2004R. I have a cooler, will be getting bigger one, Transgo shift kit and maybe a deeper pan. How is the mileage with your 5.9?

 

[pencero]

17

 

[olds307 and 403]

I maybe got that with the 3.9 and until I opened the air box and added the Dynomax muffler passing at highway speeds was scary. I am hoping the B&G tune is as good as most say it is.

 

[marcar1993]

Man, sorry to hear about the truck. That sucks. Glad no one was hurt. You think after you finish the dakota you'll find another chevy to olds swap?

 

[foxtrot]

Marcar, I was thinking the same thing - haha. That Olds powered Chevy 4x4 was a unique vehicle! With this in mind, I don't see Christian doing it anytime soon. I'm thinking that he will be spending his time getting the dodge truck tuned correctly. Just my two cents. Also any other spare time he has he will be watching the Bruins since I converted him from a Leafs fan - ha.