[94Ram4x4toy]

I have a 99 dakota 2 wheel drive automatic with a 3.9 V6. Right now it is my commuter and daily driver for a while. I am going to start gathering full size solid axles and all parts I need to do a 4x4 solid axle swap. I am a professional welder and fabricator and I am aware of the extent of this job. I am curious though of what I can do for the transmission? What transmissions with t-case can I swap? Year range? Any advice would be of great help. Thank you all.

 

[DartBoy01]

Pretty sure any engine/transmission combo for the Dakota's with the early style magnum engines as well as the 1500 and 2500 have the same style transmissions.

 

[94Ram4x4toy]

So I can take a transmission out of a 1st gen dakota or a 94+ ram? Are the bellhousings the same for the v6 and the v8?

 

[MONKYMAN]

I am pretty sure they are the same. I know my 95 dakota was very simmilar engine and tranny to my 2000 dakota Quad Cab. Both v6 trucks. The only obvious difference between them was a 2 (or 3?) piece driveshaft.

 

[DartBoy01]

Bellhousings will be the same across the Magnum engines 3.9, 5.2, and 5.9L

But I think the first generation Dakota's came with the 44RE instead of the 46RE that the second generation Dakota's and Ram's came with that were equipped with a V8.

 

[94Ram4x4toy]

Ok. I know my 94 ram had a 46rh instead of the 46re. So if I pulled it out of a ram it would have to be the RE trans?

 

[DartBoy01]

If you used the one out of the Ram I'm pretty sure you'd have to have the PCM reconfigured, because you are going from an electronically controlled trans (RE) to a hydraulically controlled trans (RH).

 

[94Ram4x4toy]

I believe the 97 and up rams went to the electronic RE trans. So would that be a direct swap as long as I didn't put a RH trans in my dakota?

 

[DartBoy01]

Yep, exactly the same.