Hey y'all,
I have a 1987 Dodge Dakota 4x4 with 3.9, automatic. The engine is completely shot on it (rod knocking like a little demon trying to get out) . To make a long story short I picked up a 3.9 last week pretty cheap and the previous owner says it is a good running engine out of a 1995. What are the chances of doing a "simple" swap out on this? Is it possible to use the engine like a short block assembly and simply swap the parts over on it from the 87. I am being told that the throttle body on the 95 wont work with the computer from the 87(87 has a carb). I realize the 87 is the first year Dodge built these and almost everything is different from the 95 I guess I am just trying to see if this is possible or I just need to go ahead and start parting out the 95 engine to raise money for a possible rebuild.
TIA
Tim H.

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Roll Tide !

If you could find a trans and a computer, you'd be good to go, as for swapping the parts, like you said alot of them aren't compatible with the old motor, so if you can't get your hands on a trans/computer for the '95ish (magnum) era, a rebuild would probably be your best bet

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'95 Dodge Dakota 4x4 5.2L club cab - 224kmi - Dual Exhaust, Filtercharger, Duals, sh--load of lights
'92 Dodge Dakota 4x4 3.9L club cab - 166kmi - V8 TB, '95 grand Cherokee Self-Dimming mirror - soon to have new exhaust