3.9 spare for my Dakota

[FU64RY]

Spent two days in the local yard getting this puppy out.
PITA but well worth it.
3.9 and tranny for $349.
Showed 151K on the odometer and recent trans service at 136K.
Just did a comp test 180-182 on all 6.

 

[Don Frelier]

Looks like you got a good one.
Too bad I scrapped mine a few years back. No-one was interested in it.
I would probably put a new timing chain on it. If you get the newer one from mopar it has a tensioner built into it.
Re-seal the intake would be a good idea as well. That's definately a design weak point on those.
Those exhuast manifolds look pretty clean.

 

[toolmanmike]

Spent two days in the local yard getting this puppy out.
PITA but well worth it.
3.9 and tranny for $349.
Showed 151K on the odometer and recent trans service at 136K.
Just did a comp test 180-182 on all 6.

View attachment 1029760 View attachment 1029761

Looks like a goodie. Check the timing chain before you use it but that's much easier to do out of the vehicle. Those are good mills. I have 2 96 Dakota's with 3.9's 300,000 miles between the two.

 

[yella71]

too bad it wasnt a hemi.....

 

[Slap Stick]

Re the intake. Get the intake plenum kit from Hughes and never have to fix it again.
+1 on the chain.
What model year engine is it? Later models eliminated the egr and return fuel line.

 

[YY1]

If I still had a a 3.9 Dak and suspected an impending failure, I believe I'd consider a 5.2 transplant.

Almost 100 HP gain and only 2 MPG loss.

 

[Don Frelier]

That's what I did, but it was probably more like 4-5 MPG. I also put in a 46rh. Very happy with it.

 

[YY1]

We've had 8 Dakotas in our family.
(plus 2 Daks and 3 Durango's in the extended family)

The 3.9's get 18
The 5.2's get 16
The 5.9's get 13.5

 

[toolmanmike]

We've had 8 Dakotas in our family.
(plus 2 Daks and 3 Durango's in the extended family)

The 3.9's get 18
The 5.2's get 16
The 5.9's get 13.5

Yes sir! My 4 wheel 96 3.9 get's 18 hwy. My 2wd 96 3.9 gets 22.

 

[Slap Stick]

I had a 92 3.9 and i got 23mpg out of it on a trip to VA-on the way there the fuel pump went tango uniform.
I now have a 92 extended cab with the 318. It got 18mpg on the same trip.

The 92-up 239 made 180hp compared to the 318s 230.

 

[YY1]

Whoa, what kinda 100MPG JC Whitney EFI do you have?

NEVER seen 22 average MPG on any.

 

[YY1]

50 is almost 100, right?

 

[BeatersRus]

Looks like you got a good one.
Too bad I scrapped mine a few years back. No-one was interested in it.
I would probably put a new timing chain on it. If you get the newer one from mopar it has a tensioner built into it.
Re-seal the intake would be a good idea as well. That's definately a design weak point on those.
Those exhuast manifolds look pretty clean.

im looking for as many of the 2 wheel drive v6 5 speed transmissions as you can find.
trans,pedals,and flywheels too.
mentioning this because you are local.

nice snag @ fu64ry

 

[FU64RY]

Re the intake. Get the intake plenum kit from Hughes and never have to fix it again.
+1 on the chain.
What model year engine is it? Later models eliminated the egr and return fuel line.

95, my truck is a 94 with 181K and still, Nock on wood: good. Thanks for the advice, I was also told to change the oil pump and timing chain.

 

[SattyNoCar]

I've got a '93 extended cab LE with the 3.9 auto. I'm more worried about the electrics holding up than the engine. New computers look to be in limited supply already, how's it gonna be in another 10?

I'm having an issue with the IAC on mine right now. The original one definately quit, so I bought a replacement from local parts house. The replacement is adjustable, where as the factory one was not. I get it to start, then it won't idle. I get it to idle, then its a PIA to start. I just want to be able to jump in my truck and GO without fuss as I did before. Is this too much to ask?

I did the intake upgrade and new chain and tensioner when I bought my truck almost 5 yrs ago. Neither are hard to do, just gotta take your time.

As an aside, almost 100% of my driving is in town, and my truck averages no less than 14, sometimes a little higher. Combined it will get close to 16 and on the one trip I took with it where I was able to use the cruise, it got 20, almost 21. I previously had an '02 RAM 1500 (first year for that body style) with the 4.7, and no matter what I did, how I drove, etc, etc, that sucker NEVER got above 14 but could easily get lower mileage.

 

[YY1]

IAC is a somewhat common issue however, they're either good or not good.

Buy OEM or take a chance on a u-pull OEM.

Better option than aftermarket on that part.

Worst thing besides hit or miss transmission issues (mine.s still good and still has the factory fluid) on any of ours has been water pump/radiator/heater core.
Mine's on the 5th water pump and 3rd radiator, but all in all at 175,000 those are easy repairs considering what could go wrong/does go wrong with other trucks of that era.

 

[Slap Stick]

One other thing to replace....well, two.
The oil pump intermediate shaft and bushing.
They get worn and the engine will lope at idle in gear. On the highway the fuel synch moves around, especially with a worn timing set. With the cruise set the engine will start missing and the cruise will disengage. The OD may even turn off.

 

[SattyNoCar]

Well, after jackin' around with the parts house IAC for almost a month, I went and bought a genuine MOPAR one (brand new).

Cold start, hot start, lukewarm start, blasting down the freeway or putting along in stop and go traffic......no issues at all. Dare I say my truck has NEVER been as smooth and responsive as it is right now?

And, I think my mileage has come up. I'll check the next couple of tanks, but right now the low fuel light usually comes on at about 220 miles and I'm currently at 234 with no light on yet.

 

[FU64RY]

Well, after jackin' around with the parts house IAC for almost a month, I went and bought a genuine MOPAR one (brand new).

Cold start, hot start, lukewarm start, blasting down the freeway or putting along in stop and go traffic......no issues at all. Dare I say my truck has NEVER been as smooth and responsive as it is right now?

And, I think my mileage has come up. I'll check the next couple of tanks, but right now the low fuel light usually comes on at about 220 miles and I'm currently at 234 with no light on yet.

IAC?

 

[SattyNoCar]

IAC?

Idle Air Control