11 replies to this topic

[RamDakDust]

Hello everyone...I have a 93 Dakota 4x4 that I'm converting from a 3.9L V6 to a 5.2L V8 after the V6's timing chain snapped and bent all my valves. I already purchased the motor mounts and the oil pan (the 318 is from a 63000 mile D150), and I need the complete wiring harness, the PCM and the fan shroud. I am located in Lancaster, PA. I've already called about 6 junkyards, to no avail. I have researched and found out that only about 27% of Dakotas of that year were equipped with the V8. If anyone can get me these items or know of someone that has all of this stuff from a 93 Dakota only, please let me know.  I would like to check with Marty Mopar in Hershey since I bought the grille for my '79 Volare Duster from him but I can't seem to find to find his number. Thanks to everyone in advance!

[Bob Lincoln]

Marty is in Arizona - www.arizonaparts.com

Isn't it just easier to drop in another V-6?  They are great engines.

[dana44]

Between another 3.9 for simplicity, you can go all the way up to 1996 for the V8, all first gen are alike as far as the swap goes, so not limited to just the one year. Check out the changes for the Dakota first generation on the cars section along the top, there was the electronic speedometer in there but other than that, after the electrical/electronics package, swaps are easy enough with so many years.

[RamDakDust]

Actually Bob, there is a guy in the Hershey/Palmyra area named Marty Mopar that has his own business, I guess I didn't know there was 2 of them. I already purchased the 318, and so far the oil pan has been different, along with the D150's wiring harness. The connectors going to the transmission are different, and the PCM in the D150 is mounted on the driver's side inner fender; mine is passenger side. I really don't feel like moving the fuse box and everything around.

[Bob Lincoln]

The one in Arizona is named Marty Kolner, has used the nickname Marty Mopar, or has been called this.

[dana44]

Yeah, the Dakota is passenger side mounting and driver's side mounting on the Rams.

How much different is the oil pan itself? I would imagine any Dakota oil pan for 5.2 would work, even second generation (the mini Ram ones with the cool grilles), and from there, take a look at your wiring harness for the Dakota, I am trying to remember if more than one wire goes to the fuse block or whether it was the headlight harness that looked like it was with the fuse block, what have you. It may also be easier to get a later second generation harness, oil pan, and verify the sensors and put it in your truck that way.

The other thing you can do that would be nothing but fun, is mount the PCM on the passenger fender, and using the V6 harness verify the pin locations for the V6 to the V8 position and add the two other injectors, tape it all back together. As long as the sensor wires and injector wires are on the correct pins to the PCM it doesn't care where it is located. The pins are numbered so you don't have to worry about getting them backwards, and when you are all done, go down to an electonics store and find the 3M cloth tape and re-wrap the harness. I hate the black plastic stuff, gets crispy, collects sticky dirt and oil, and unravels over time. The cloth stuff is stock, will eventually wear out, but is so much nicer when working with it. All the sensors would match the V8 and PCM, gauges should be just fine by doing this. This actually wouldn't be that difficult to do, and would work just fine.

[RamDakDust]

Dana- Yeah..that's kind of what I didn't want to do. Luckily my dad found a complete wiring harness today from a semi-local salvage yard from a 93 Dakota- exactly what I needed. Got the cool "5.2L V8" emblems too.  All that's left is the PCM. As far as the oil pan, the D150's was a good inch or two deeper, and wasn't curved upward to clear the stabilizer bar and frame cross member. Got the new motor mounts installed this afternoon too, so again hopefully we can have the engine and harness tomorrow. It's kind of hard to run a business and get this thing done in a timely fashion, and it's kind of a pain having one less bay to work with. I don't think we'll be able to use the D150's PCM because it doesn't have the capability for I believe the VSS and possibly something for the 4WD.

[dana44]

OK, glad you found the right harness, but the PCM wasn't with it? Bummer. I don't know whether or not a Ram PCM could be properly reflashed for the Dakota, that's a tech question for the dealership, or an ebay find for sure. I know my secondary idea was a bit far fetched, but such is having to do the near impossible with what one has on hand sometimes. Any chance of an aftermarket pan for around $100? Maybe another ebay item.

What about other V8 model years for the pan?

[RamDakDust]

Dana- The oil pan I ended up getting from Advance (I'm not wild about that place to say it nicest) for $66. NAPA wanted $80 (sad, because our repair shop is an Autocare Center), Federated wanted $70 and it was all the same pan- NAPA, Fed, and Advance all can get Spectra products. I am unsure about other year pans that possibly may work. Just got off the phone with Hondru Dodge, and the can get me a Dakota PCM tomorrow for $175. I saw they listed for approximately $400 but I wasn't going to argue. Dad is out junkyard hopping again, this time in hopes of a fan shroud, out in Gettysburg somewhere. Dropping in the 318 this afternoon

[dana44]

Heep us informed of any pitfalls for the swap, I did a 2.5/5spd and 3.9/5spd swap last summer so I know what has to be swapped for that one, so your inputs as to what needs to happen between 3.9 and 5.2/5.9 is very informative. Thanks also for the oil pan info.

[RamDakDust]

No problem Dana, I'll keep you updated. Thanks again for your input and hints.

[dana44]

Any time.