Shuttlesworth
TJ Enthusiast
This has been a rollercoaster of HEM-otions. I was getting hopeful that this was going to happen. If it does, OP please document this as much as possible.
Is this 2004 Dodge Ram a good Hemi donor?
- Thread starter hardtailpan
- Start date
OP
If I do it I certainly will. I'm considering looking for a 4 cylinder TJ with a good frame to do the swap to instead of pulling apart a good running Sahara, but if my engine lets go, all bets are off! I've got 153k or so on it, which isn't bad for the 4.0, but she does piston slap pretty good when cold, so who knows!
OP
I'm going to bring this thread back to life as I've started picking up parts for the hemi swap again. I'm keeping my eye out for a good donor truck or even just a dressed motor, but I'm primarily trying to slowly collect most of the other pieces. I do plan on keeping the standard (NV3550). This will be a slow moving thread as I'm gradually picking up pieces as I find them.
Here's what I've got and some of what I'm currently looking for:
What I've got:
Dakota 3.9 bellhousing, dust shield, clutch fork
2006 Grand Cherokee hemi exhaust manifolds (I understand these are a good fit?)
What I'm currently looking for:
2005/6 gas tank and NVLD setup
What I'm trying to figure out:
What flywheel can I use?
Once I have the gas tank I'm going to see if I can figure out the flywheel. I know the Dakota had a 142 tooth, so I need one of these. Are all 142 tooth mopar flywheels the same diameter? I have no idea, depends on gear pitch. Maybe a 4.7 one will fit but I need to look into engine balance (internal/external) If anybody knows anything about this, please let me know. Once this is figured out, the clutch setup and the starter should be simple. The nice thing is I have the old Dakota unit to match up with.
I'm also going to look at purchasing motor mounts. Everything I read says go for the Advanced Adapters, so that will be the choice.
Here's what I've got and some of what I'm currently looking for:
What I've got:
Dakota 3.9 bellhousing, dust shield, clutch fork
2006 Grand Cherokee hemi exhaust manifolds (I understand these are a good fit?)
What I'm currently looking for:
2005/6 gas tank and NVLD setup
What I'm trying to figure out:
What flywheel can I use?
Once I have the gas tank I'm going to see if I can figure out the flywheel. I know the Dakota had a 142 tooth, so I need one of these. Are all 142 tooth mopar flywheels the same diameter? I have no idea, depends on gear pitch. Maybe a 4.7 one will fit but I need to look into engine balance (internal/external) If anybody knows anything about this, please let me know. Once this is figured out, the clutch setup and the starter should be simple. The nice thing is I have the old Dakota unit to match up with.
I'm also going to look at purchasing motor mounts. Everything I read says go for the Advanced Adapters, so that will be the choice.
Was a Hemi truck made? I don't know enough about those years to offer any help so I am asking? I'm sure there were 1/2 ton trucks made with the Hemi & a 6 speed trans? I had a diesel so I never looked at the Hemi powered trucks.
OP
Yup, they've been putting them in light duties since around 2003 I think? I had an 04 in my yard but the hemi was locked solid so I decided to sell it for parts. I'm looking for an 04/05 dodge Ram hemi. I'm hoping all of the hemi crankshafts are machined for a pilot bearing, but I'll be using my stock Jeep 5 speed transmission with the conversion bellhousing.
OP
I picked up a 2006 fuel tank, complete with attached NVLD system. Also came with the skid. So there's another piece of this puzzle.
I found an 05 tank, gauge cluster and NVLD setup - picking them up this week too! You figure out any more details for your swap?
I'm going with a 2012 Eagle 5.7L/65RFE from a 1500 Ram. My plan is to keep the factory MDS and SRV setup, but add in some better flowing manifolds (either SRT Jeep or shorty headers). I haven't decided if I'm gonna throw in a 6.1L cam or not...
OP
Nice!
I'm keeping my eyes open for an 04/05 hemi Ram. I actually found a running one I could likely get but its got 230k miles on it. I'd of course rebuild it, but I'd rather find a lower mileage one if I can.
I'm just going to go with factory cast iron manifolds from the Grand Cherokee. I'm not interested in squeezing any more power out of it, as it should have plenty for my needs, plus since I'm using the stock NV3550, I'll have to be careful as it is!
If you haven't started your own build thread, please do, I'd like to watch your progress!
OP
So, just to update:
What I've got:
Dakota 3.9 bellhousing, dust shield, clutch fork
2006 Grand Cherokee hemi exhaust manifolds (I understand these are a good fit?)
2006 gas tank and NVLD setup
What I'm currently looking for:
donor truck/ motor 2004/5 hemi ram (not in a huge hurry....)
Been watching for a set of AA motor mounts on ebay but will probably just buy new
What I'm trying to figure out:
What flywheel can I use?
What I've got:
Dakota 3.9 bellhousing, dust shield, clutch fork
2006 Grand Cherokee hemi exhaust manifolds (I understand these are a good fit?)
2006 gas tank and NVLD setup
What I'm currently looking for:
donor truck/ motor 2004/5 hemi ram (not in a huge hurry....)
Been watching for a set of AA motor mounts on ebay but will probably just buy new
What I'm trying to figure out:
What flywheel can I use?
Right at the bottom of his signature.
(3) PC1P's 1998 Jeep TJ Build - Ophelia | Jeep Wrangler TJ Forum
OP
Why won't the flywheel in a manual equipped truck with a Hemi work? Use that flywheel and pressure plate and then a clutch disc that fits your trans?
So I think the question you need to ask is what size is the flywheel and what size clutch pressure plate does the Hemi use and then find a clutch disc that will match size but work with your trans.
OP
The flywheel size is dictated by the bellhousing, which is a 97 dakota 3.9l AX15 bellhousing. The flywheel from the 3.9 doesn't fit the hemi bolt pattern, so yeah, I need to use one off a hemi or possibly a 4.7 if the balancing is the same.
The Dakota is a 143 tooth flywheel, so assuming all 143 teeth flywheels for mopars are the same diameter, it does appear I can use one from a 3/4 ton RAM hemi equipped stick. This however, uses a larger clutch than the dakota. What I don't know is if the pressure plate for the larger clutch will fit in the bellhousing. It appears all of these clutches are 10 spline, so that part seems pretty straight forward. Then of course there's the issue of the throwout bearing which needs to be short enough so its disengaged with the clutch released, but long enough to release the clutch.
Last and certainly not least, I'll need to see if the Dakota starter (which bolts to the bellhousing) correctly engages the hemi flywheel.
I *think* you're right, and the hemi flywheel will work, I just need to figure out all the other pieces as well. I have the original flywheel and clutch assembly from the Dakota which should make things easier, and I even still have the AX15 so I should be able to test fit all of this to the hemi on the ground before removing a bolt from the TJ.....
Well I can help a little here in saying that you can use up to a 12" pressure plate. A lot of the guys that did the magnum swap either used a 11" or 12" pressure plate. Most found that the 11" was more than adequate for their needs and worked well.
Maybe the question to ask is not if the Dakota starter will work with the Hemi flywheel, why not check to see if the Hemi starter will work with the Dakota bellhousing?
Next question?? What transmission was used behind the Hemi in the trucks? Mainly the 1/2 ton as I'm sure the 3/4 ton was a heavier duty trans. Because I would then ask why not use the 1/2 ton trans along with the engine since they were made for each other?
Just throwing ideas out there.
OP
This is good info! 11" pressure plate should be more than adequate for my purposes as well. The 1/2 ton Ram to my knowledge was never offered with a hemi and standard transmission, only the 4.7L was offered with a 6 speed standard in the half ton. The 3/4 ton used an NV4500 and the reason this isn't normally used in the jeep is that it is a a very large transmission. The NV3550/AX15 is a bit weak to put behind the hemi, but for my use case I think it will be fine.
As for the starter, yeah, its another good question. I don't think it matters what starter, just so long as the engagement works and it bolts up to the bellhousing.
Good information and good questions, I appreciate it!
Should be in my signature
We have a ride scheduled for next Sunday, then she comes down shortly thereafter... probably pull the 4.0/AX around New Years.
OP
Yeah, @Wildman pointed out my keen observation abilities lol!Should be in my signature
We have a ride scheduled for next Sunday, then she comes down shortly thereafter... probably pull the 4.0/AX around New Years.
Sounds good, I'll be watching!
OP