Dodge Dakota to 65 Dodge Dart parts swap

[mitchto]

I am considering purchasing a wrecked Dodge Dakota, the one I am looking at is a 97 3.9 v6. I am considering using a lot of the front end components along with the engine and transmission. Has anyone attempted this kind of swap before or is it not possible? If possible, any gotchas that I should be aware?

Thank you in advance for any help that is offered. I have had my Dart for a long time and finally have the time and means to begin working on it. It is a 1965 GT, came with the slant 6 and automatic transmission.

I am also open to other ideas outside of the Dodge Dakota swap. My thought is to find a complete vehicle and swap the parts I can, i.e. disc brakes, power steering, power brakes, drive train, etc.

 

[joeboy]

As far as engine/trans it has been done I believe, and shouldn't be too much mods. Floor work for the OD (look at the 42rh thread) and engine should've similar to magnum swap I would think....

Not sure I would attempt the front end stuff, I believe those Dakotas are 6 lug, and the time and energy in fab work may put weight the savings of either piecing together later (73 and up) discs, or buying a front end kit...

 

[Syleng1]

I just ditched a 92 v-6 Dakota and automatic I was going to do the same thing. The braking system - there is a lot of work to make it happen with poor results. Disk set up from that is not worth the energy in my opinion.
I was going to do the v-6 in place of the slant and here is the issues I found and cancelled the project and went to the (I know boring) 318 / 904/ 8.250" compo with the BBP and TTI exhaust swap in my 66'.
1) Transmission (4 speed) needs major floor mods or use a 904 and need to drill and locate a crank sensor on the 904
2) exhaust manifolds with P/S is really tough. If you use the manifolds with the engine... you need to lift the engine up high.
3)oil pan -needs a custom oil pan - no fear just sheet metal and welding work.
4)Fuel pump in the tank see Tanks inc. They sell a fuel tank with the baffel in the tank and a pump kit for the 63-66 abody. If not a frame rail mounted pump does not hold up in the long run. Needs a return line.
5)no real aftermarket tuneability.
6) after all that work and all is said and done... you still have a small v-6 with limited power and 25 year old technology.

PLEASE NOTE: I am 46 and a very busy work life. This may had been more adventurous and appealing for me had I been 20 years younger or at least not so busy in life. I dont want to ever turn some one away from a project THEY feel quite happy with . I just want top present the facts of why it was not going to work for me.
ALSO NOTE: I own a welding and Equipment repair company (22 years now)so this was all easy for me to pull off and I still chose a different path. LOL!
PM Me directly and give me a few hours to respond- I'd be glad to share more info if you need help.
Joe

 

[pishta]

That 3.9 V6 was a buzzy dog. The 3.8 in the minivan was smoother. smaller and more power/torque. WTH? But if you still build the V6, I got a set of 7 new .030 10:1 pistons for you for a six pack of Guiness.