5.9 slt plus Durango donor for 74 duster

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BrandunLee

BrandunLee

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hey all. Recently I’ve had a nice 2000 5.9 durango fall into my lap and I was wondering what parts would need to be acquired to fit that motor into my 74 3 speed duster. The Duster has been sitting for awhile due to the transmission going out. Cool thing about it is it’s been in the family for 40+ years and it was my first car. The 318 in it still runs but it’s tired and burns a good bit of oil. For some time I’ve been thinking about a motor swap but I’m not sure if it’s worth it for me. I have an entire vehicle so I can transfer over anything that’s is transferable from the Durango to the Duster. I’d like to put a 5speed manual in it but not sure if that’d be conflicted with the motor and pcm being from an auto vehicle. Bottom line I guess is what do I need to get it done

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A lot of good info at (magnumswap.com). Also the easiest way to go is with a carb conversion or an EFI unit like a Holley Sniper, Fitech ect., but I am sure other will chime in here. Lots of great info on this forum as well.
 
If you use the 2000 tranny you will need all the sensors, the wiring harness, the pcm and maybe the instrument panel.
If you go carb with a 904 or 727 or a rh or manual tranny, you can use a regular ignition system.
 
Jadaharabi said:
If you use the 2000 tranny you will need all the sensors, the wiring harness, the pcm and maybe the instrument panel.
If you go carb with a 904 or 727 or a rh or manual tranny, you can use a regular ignition system.
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So the automatic transmission will fit pretty well? Or will there be some modifications required?
 
Because of the overdrive the 2000 tranny would need the crossmember modified besides all the durango electronics. The re46 transmission has a 8 wire plugin.
 
The transmission will need a B&M flexplate if your donor vehicle doesn’t have one you can modify by, IIRC, A single bolt hole. (I didn’t have the OE Magnum flexplate.)

You will also need a older distributor if you plan not to run the computer. And intake, carb, etc....
And a electric fuel pump. I used an Edelbrock “Carb” electric fuel pump, which does not require a fuel regulator or return line.

It is a simple super easy swap.
 
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Since you already have one you do not need a b&m flex plate to use a 904 or 727 transmission. The 2000 5.9 flex plate is balanced to the engine. You need to elongate 1 bolt hole to use an earlier neutral balanced converter.
 
Sell it. The Durango, that is, if it is in overall decent shape. Then find a 5.9 to buy and use the leftover cash to help fund the little things, like the carb, intake, distributer, motor mounts, etc.....
 
ragtopfury said:
Sell it. The Durango, that is, if it is in overall decent shape. Then find a 5.9 to buy and use the leftover cash to help fund the little things, like the carb, intake, distributer, motor mounts, etc.....
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It runs good and the body on it is in decent shape though The interior is a little rough. I honestly planned on using the factory fuel injection from whatever vehicle the motor came from. I know how this motor runs and know it doesn’t make any weird noises. I’m still on the fence about it but I’d really like to get my car going again so if it’s a fairly simple swap I may go for it
 
magnumswaps.com has pretty much every piece of info you need and can be used to calculate a parts and price list

Since you already have a manual trans, I'd consider an 833OD. They can be had a lot cheaper than a "regular" 833 and have roughly the same gear splits as the 3 speed.

The OD will surely help on MPG with that 5.9.

...and no trans tunnel mods!
 
YY1 said:
magnumswaps.com has pretty much every piece of info you need and can be used to calculate a parts and price list

Since you already have a manual trans, I'd consider an 833OD. They can be had a lot cheaper than a "regular" 833 and have roughly the same gear splits as the 3 speed.

The OD will surely help on MPG with that 5.9.

...and no trans tunnel mods!
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Sadly the 3 speed manual has a snapped output shaft and is currently in pieces. Transmission shop apparently couldn’t find parts for it. I’m glad to hear no tunnel mods required!
 
If you want to use the factory EFI with your three speed, plan on a 5.9-balanced flywheel, and getting one with tone notches for the crank sensor can be a pain, sometimes.

And you'll need a reflash for the PCM from auto to manual.

Other than that, not a terribly difficult swap.
 
I was suggesting you could find an 833 OD transmission to use.
 
The one thing that sucks about the OD swap is the large bearing retainer. Also the OD gear isn’t so strong for a lot of power. Some complain about the 1-2 rpm drop.
 
BrandunLee said:
Sorry I read that wrong. Thank you for the info I think I’m gonna move forward with the swap
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Your gonna dig it. I’m loving my 5.9 swap and it’s in a 3600lbs. B body, 727/3.55’s on 26-1/2 tires. And a overdrive would be an excellent addition for sure. Maybe one day I’ll get that. The small cam limits total usable driving rpm to around 4,000/4500 where it noses over in power. Just a FYI.
 
Remember, stock redline in that thing is what? 5200 RPM? Get a rev limiter. Or better valve springs.

Or you can be like me. With a 5.9 and a buncha bent valves.
 
mine's been over 5.5K a few times.

kinda easy with the 3.92 rear and some ahem, traction issues inherent with a truck

...and with those gears it moves my 4200# Dakota pretty well, even with 55 series tires on 17" wheels.

Also still alive and strong as the day I bought it at 167,000 miles.
 
rumblefish360 said:
Your gonna dig it. I’m loving my 5.9 swap and it’s in a 3600lbs. B body, 727/3.55’s on 26-1/2 tires. And a overdrive would be an excellent addition for sure. Maybe one day I’ll get that. The small cam limits total usable driving rpm to around 4,000/4500 where it noses over in power. Just a FYI.
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Would the 5.2 cam help with the little bigger lift?
 
jos51700 said:
If you want to use the factory EFI with your three speed, plan on a 5.9-balanced flywheel, and getting one with tone notches for the crank sensor can be a pain, sometimes.

And you'll need a reflash for the PCM from auto to manual.

Other than that, not a terribly difficult swap.
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I did a 5 spd. swap in my '00 Durango 5.9 several years ago. Flywheel came from RockAuto. You also need a manual trans crank sensor (shorter) or I understand you can shim the auto sensor. If you go manual trans and use the 5.9 EFI, all you need is a truck 5 spd. PCM. Contacted FlyinRyan(?) about reflashing the auto PCM but it was a little spendy at $450. I went with a used PCM from car-part.com for $125.
Last thing I can think of is if you go 833, you'll need to notch the bellhousing for the crank sensor.
 
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