What could I do with this 93 Dodge

[1996 Bravada]

Hay Guys,
I Just picked up a 1993 Dodge Dakota Sport. 2 wheel drive Very nice shape in and out. It has a V6 in it now. With over 239,00 miles on it. But runs good! I was thinking about putting a V8 in or something in it. This is were you guys come into play. What could I put in with out a whole lot of changes?

[justen]

a 318 or a 360. Being it's tbi all I would think is you would need a chip out of a computer in a truck with a 318 or 360 already in it. It's do-able swap. Far as I know transmission bellhousing is the same on the v6 or v8. With that said, I would look at the transmission you have. It will work but, I would be careful because if it can't handle the v8 smoking the tires. Then you may need something else. But for everyday driving, the original transmission should hold up.

[dougbfresh]

At a minimum you would have to change exhaust, most likely the radiator and I can't believe the wiring harness/computer would be the same v6->v8. Get on one of the MoPar forums and ask around. Is it EFI now or carb'ed?

[justen]

Before I dropped a 383 into a chevy s-10, everyone was saying the first thing to do was change the front suspension. Everyone said it wouldn't handle the weight. Well I looked up the weight of a 2.8 v6 and a chevy 350 and it was only 150 pounds difference. So I weight 200 pounds myself. I stepped on the front bumper to see how much it really would sink. And it dropped maybe a inch or half inch. That's with the 2.8 in it yet. So I knew right there that it could handle the weight of a v8.

Then once I had the v8 in I drove it a while and started adding other stuff like lift kit, solid front axle. On and on. It was a fun little truck while I had it. Sold it for another diesel pickup.

[dougbfresh]

So what does that have to do with a Dodge? Ever do a MoPar swap like this Justen? He needs to get on a MoPar forum and see what the deal is from people who may have tried it. Typically the easiest swaps are GM, MoPar and Ford typically are not as straight forward.

[justen]

Saying that the front suspension should handle the weight of a v8. That's alot of people's concern when swapping from a v6 to a v8. Weight difference is minimal. So I think it would be a easy and straight forward swap. I had a 91 dakota with a 3.9 it was a nice truck. But would have been better with the v8 318. I bet my fuel mileage would have been pretty close with either engine.

I like the body style of the 90's dakota's. The new one's I see on the road now I just don't care for that look.

[dougbfresh]

http://www.engine-swaps.com/ go to the dakota truck section. They most likely know what radiator, exhaust and electronic mods you'll need too.

[carsandcycles]

'Bravada', what is going to be the application of the truck when you're done? That's the most important question that has to be answered. If you're going to make a show truck then maybe a V-8 is what you want, but if you going to use it as a daily driver (light utility), either replace the V-6, rebuild the V-6 or run it till it runs no more. These days, gas mileage is king if you are going to roll on the miles; again, evaluate the purpose of the truck.

[1996 Bravada]

What I would like to have when I'm done. Is a nice little (light utility) daily driving truck. With some balls when I driving down the road and had to get on it. It got up and went.............................................. .............................That what I'm looking to do.

[danny]

maybe the six with some power adders? i would think you would want some mpg's from a daily driver.

[justen]

Ok just doing some checking on Fuel economy gov. www.fueleconomy.gov

I was curious to see what it said for fuel mileage. So here will give you some idea.

1993 Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD 6 cyl, 3.9 L 239 CID, Automatic 4-spd, (FFS), Regular. 14 city, 18 hwy.

1993 Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD 8 cyl, 5.2 L 318 CID, Automatic 4-spd, (FFS), Regular. 13 city, 17 hwy.


Other info for Dakota

Engines
1987-1988 - 2.2 L K I4, SOHC, 96 hp (72 kW)
1987-1991 - 3.9 L LA V6, 125 hp (93 kW)
1989-1995 - 2.5 L K I4, 99 hp (74 kW)
1991 - 5.2 L LA V8, 170 hp (127 kW)
1992-1993 - 3.9 L Magnum V6, 180 hp (134 kW)
1991-1993 - 5.2 L Magnum V8, 230 hp (172 kW)
1994-1996 - 3.9 L Magnum V6, 175 hp (131 kW)
1994-1996 - 5.2 L Magnum V8, 225 hp (170 kW)
1996 - 2.5 L AMC I4, 120 hp (90 kW)

[Mustang65HiPo]

Carol Shelby took that same truck and put a 318 in it. It'll fit and run like no tomorrow. U'll be able to get all the parts you need to do this type of a swap. You could make a Shelby Dakota clone out of it. Do a search on the Shelby Dakota and u'll find what you are looking for.