3.9 to 5.9 magnum swap in my 2000 Dodge Dakota

[ssn696]

Block heater shorted out.

Wow! Glad your misfortune did not set the garage and your house on fire!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Leafs fan, good one Frank. They still seem to have a lot suckers, err I mean fans despite 40+ years of losing. I am going to do a bunch of playing with the Dakota. Like I said, the 5.9 Magnum is a torque motor like the Olds V8. I think I will like it a lot. I may build another 4x4 after I get the 425 ci 403 stroker built. I am planning on machine work this spring then assembling the short block this Summer. If the right 94/95 GMC comes a long, I would consider building another one. It was literally one of a kind, no other efied Olds powered 90's Chevy 4x4 out there. I would want an extended cab with better paint and minimal rust this time and preferably a GMC. Problem is good used trucks are few and far between here, for the right price. I would probably do a different cam with more compression and properly adapt the stock serpentine set up.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I was sure glad it was parked on the street!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Received the ECM back, still no start! I sent them the 5.9 ECM, hoping they can make the 6 cyl one work. Frustrating!

 

[olds307 and 403]

Got a reply, covered under warranty but still will probably cost another $100 in shipping there and back. Told me to send both ECM's to find the difference, pretty sure it is an anti theft issue, didn't realize that was option in 2000. No fuel or spark with the V8 ECM, threw in the V6 ECM started right up. Once I topped up the trans fluid, it moves under it's own power. Only have second gear, shorted TCC/Overdrive solenoid, in limp mode. Yeah 6cyl and 2nd gear but need my fishing shack out on the ice. Dodge OD trans are notorious for solenoid issues. Fluid looked great, just like the last change, synthetic ATF+4 again. After I adjusted the TV cable, it shifted really nice. Hate the low temp OD lockout and crappy solenoids and an adjustable TV cable on an electronic trans, really Dodge? Plan on adding the TFOD2 Transco kit and an even bigger cooler. IPT trans knows these trans and can build them for big power.

 

[axisg]

interesting swap. I had a 99 dak new as a company car and the 3.9 was def a turd. The 5.9 is a nice upgrade so good luck with the swap.

Funny, my friend has a 99 RT since new and cant get enough out of the 5.9 to satisfy him anymore. All summer he's talking about an LS swap and tko 6 speed then maybe turbo. Been done and there are a handful of youtube vids as well.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1553358-world-s-easiest-5-3-swap-dodge-dakota.html

 

[olds307 and 403]

Personally, I would go the 5.7/6.1/6.4 Hemi route. The new Hemi has even more potential than the LS and more Dodge Dakota guys have done the swap.

 

[marcar1993]

Why bother? There is PLENTY you can do with a magnum 5.2/5.9 to never need to go to anything else. Try a stoker kit and some boost, it'll make more power than you'll ever need.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I agree 5.2/5.9 especially with the EQ replacement heads, cheap and much better flow than factory heads. Finally got the ECM back and it fired right up on all 8 cylinders. I changed the od/tcc solenoid but still have that code and only second gear. Runs great but can't tell how it really runs.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Well drove it a bit more, now I have P0207 and P0208 codes, truck feels like it is running on 8 cylinders. Still more responsive in limp mode than the old 3.9. Pretty sure I grounded the pins in the right locations, there was actually a grey plastic piece I had to remove in the #2 connector to add the injector wires in. I even kept them separate in their own loom. I guess it shows the V6 computer is recognizing the extra injectors? Everyone who does this swap says it is a walk in the park, not so much for me. I may have to make sure their isn't a wiring issue on the trans.