2004 RHD Magnum R/T swap

[Theblkprl1999]

So today I begin the magnum swap in my wife’s 04 rhd! This is going to be good. I have plans to try something different as far as wiring goes just need to check a few thing first.

Plan - use the entire drivetrain minus tcase from a Durango R/T

utilize the harness I have for a 99 Tj as well as the dash harness as to have compatible bus systems for gauges ect.

Trying to come out of this swap ahead cash.. as I have the complete running/daily driver as a donor and parts Tj (my personal crawler going through a rebuild. 392 8spd atlas ect.)

Now as to why im doing this. Cause some may say it’s a little too labor intensive or that the rhd will be too difficult.
1. Why tf not. 2. Her tcase and trans exploded and I tried to have it rebuilt twice and found 2 core housings that were trashed and decided it’s time to give the ol girl some fresh life.
3. V8 makes better noises.
I will be making update posts as much as possible this should catch everyone up to where I am now

Pulled the trans and tcase to rebuild it’s been out like 6 months.

Pulled motor and got it sold +400$ it had only 120k on the clock but oh well times are changing lol.

Was gearing up to buy motor mounts when suddenly our sweet 1.5yr old lab pup started going into kidney failure and needed medical attention moral of that story is im now back to -$600 for the funds on this swap. And a best buddy. moving on to monday
Monday was able to pull the 4.0 out of my 99 and get it potentially sold as well as the ax15 and ecu im keeping both harnesses. Just I case! As soon as we get that sold I can buy motor mounts.

Also waiting on my in laws new car to be delivered from mini so I can snag their 08 Tahoe to daily drive then we can tear into the Durango! Should be July when that happens. Here is a photo dump so far

 

[Theblkprl1999]

Got the dash out of the Tj as to rework the cluster wiring to ccd will get the dash out of the 99 Tj this evening more than likely to get the wires I will need!! Getting closer. One step at a time I suppose

 

[P man]

Welcome to the forum!!

Paging @Wildman He is knowledgeable with this swap

 

[Theblkprl1999]

Maybe he could answer this. Would simply using all Durango wiring and splicing in jeep body wiring and running aftermarket gauges make this as simple as possible?

 

[Wildman]

Maybe he could answer this. Would simply using all Durango wiring and splicing in jeep body wiring and running aftermarket gauges make this as simple as possible?

You can do that but it's going to be more work because the Durango wiring harness has more unneeded wires that a Ram pickup harness.
You have to blend the two harness together and if you're going to use the automatic transmission then it's easier to use the donor vehicle harness. If you're keeping the manual transmission then it's easier to just add the needed injector circuits to the Jeep harness.

Here is a collection of wiring notes I'd saved that might help you some. And then a writeup I'd found a long time ago about doing the swap.

I don't know if I'd linked this thread for you before:

https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/wrangler-magnum-v8-discussion.1365878/

You are going to need to get a PCM from a Ram pickup as the Durango has security built into it and the PCM won't work in your TJ. You need to look for a 1998-2000 5.9 PCM and you can find them on Ebay for $100-150 most of them time or go to your local junkyard.

 

[Wildman]

This guy does these swaps for a living so I'd call him and talk to him about what you're trying to do and see what he says.

 

[Theblkprl1999]

You can do that but it's going to be more work because the Durango wiring harness has more unneeded wires that a Ram pickup harness.
You have to blend the two harness together and if you're going to use the automatic transmission then it's easier to use the donor vehicle harness. If you're keeping the manual transmission then it's easier to just add the needed injector circuits to the Jeep harness.

Here is a collection of wiring notes I'd saved that might help you some. And then a writeup I'd found a long time ago about doing the swap.

I don't know if I'd linked this thread for you before:

https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/wrangler-magnum-v8-discussion.1365878/

You are going to need to get a PCM from a Ram pickup as the Durango has security built into it and the PCM won't work in your TJ. You need to look for a 1998-2000 5.9 PCM and you can find them on Ebay for $100-150 most of them time or go to your local junkyard.

Thank you my guy!!! And my Durango doesn’t have skim. Black key and no where in the build sheet is security mentioned I looked when I was looking at junkyard pcm options. I am keeping the 46re out of the dodge. So that’s why I was wanting to know if I could just use that entire harness and then run after market gauges. I feel like in my brain that would be easiest. I also haven’t pulled the donor apart yet so idk

 

[Wildman]

Thank you my guy!!! And my Durango doesn’t have skim. Black key and no where in the build sheet is security mentioned I looked when I was looking at junkyard pcm options. I am keeping the 46re out of the dodge. So that’s why I was wanting to know if I could just use that entire harness and then run after market gauges. I feel like in my brain that would be easiest. I also haven’t pulled the donor apart yet so idk

Even if it doesn't have skim every person who has tried to use a Durango or Grand Cherokee PCM has ran into issues. I think it has something to do with the BCM that is part of their system.
Yes using a aftermarket dash would solve a lot of problems for you.
I have a Intelitronix digital dash I'm thinking of using on mine.

 

[Theblkprl1999]

I see what your saying. Yeah I’d me more than willing to grab a ram ecu and send it off. Do you happen to know what sensors would need to be changed. Like what sensors send a pci signal.

 

[Wildman]

I see what your saying. Yeah I’d me more than willing to grab a ram ecu and send it off. Do you happen to know what sensors would need to be changed. Like what sensors send a pci signal.

You can get a RAM PCM that is either CCCD or PCI. I think I'd posted the Hotwire PCM chart that lists which years are offered in each version.
So just find a 5.9 PCM out of a 2002 or 2003 RAM or you can even get a 5.2 PCM ic you can't find the 5.9 version and throw a tune on it.

https://www.hotwireauto.com/chrysler-harnesses The chart is towards the bottom of the page.


Protocol List By Vehicle:

Ram				Durango
Year	Bus	Engines		Year	Bus	Engines
1996	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L
1997	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L
1998	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L		1998	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L
1999	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L		1999	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L
2000	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L		2000	CCD	4.7L, 5.2L, 5.9L
2001	CCD	3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L		2001	PCI	4.7L, 5.9L
2002	PCI	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.9L		2002	PCI	4.7L, 5.9L
2003	PCI	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L, 5.9L		2003	PCI	4.7L, 5.9L
2004	PCI	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L		2004	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L
2005	PCI	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L, 8.3L		2005	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L
2006	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L, 8.3L		2006	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L
2007	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L		2007	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L
2008	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L		2008	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L
2009	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L		2009	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L

Dakota				Wrangler
Year	Bus	Engines		Year	Bus	Engines
1996	CCD	2.5L, 3.9L, 5.2L		1996
1997	CCD	2.5L, 3.9L, 5.2L		1997	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
1998	CCD	2.5L, 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L		1998	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
1999	CCD	2.5L, 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L		1999	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
2000	CCD	2.5L, 3.9L, 4.7L, 5.9L		2000	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
2001	PCI	2.5L, 3.9L, 4.7L, 5.9L		2001	PCI	2.5L, 4.0L
2002	PCI	2.5L, 3.9L, 4.7L, 5.9L		2002	PCI	2.5L, 4.0L
2003	PCI	3.9L, 4.7L, 5.9L		2003	PCI	2.4L, 4.0L
2004	PCI	3.7L, 4.7L		2004	PCI	2.4L, 4.0L
2005	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L		2005	PCI	2.4L, 4.0L
2006	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L		2006	PCI	2.4L, 4.0L
2007	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L		2007	CAN	3.8L
2008	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L		2008	CAN	3.8L
2009	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L		2009	CAN	3.8L
Grand Cherokee				Cherokee
Year	Bus	Engines		Year	Bus	Engines
1996	CCD	4.0L, 5.2L		1996	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
1997	CCD	4.0L, 5.2L, 5.9L		1997	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
1998	CCD	4.0L, 5.2L, 5.9L		1998	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
1999	PCI	4.0L, 4.7L		1999	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
2000	PCI	4.0L, 4.7L		2000	CCD	2.5L, 4.0L
2001	PCI	4.0L, 4.7L		2001	CCD	4.0L
2002	PCI	4.0L, 4.7L
2003	PCI	4.0L, 4.7L
2004	PCI	4.0L, 4.7L
2005	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L
2006	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L, 6.1L
2007	CAN	3.7L, 4.7L, 5.7L, 6.1L

 

[Theblkprl1999]

Alright guys. Update time. Life hit pretty hard the last little bit. Laid off twice, and now moving to Phoenix in like 2 weeks but I have the 5.9 and trans as well as the harness loaded in the back of the Jeep as well as other misc. Jeep parts we all have lol. I am looking forward to starting on this project when we get to Arizona. But first I gotta find a job lol. Yes. We are moving and taking a leap luckily the wife has a job lined up and I’m sure I can find something. So until we get working sadly I’ll just be tinkering with what I have. Maybe buy the motor mounts when I get there but other than that we will see what happens. Anyway. As far as where my mind is at. I think I’m just going to use an aftermarket gauge set for a 99 tj to get the gauges running. And we will start with seeing if I can get it running with the factory Durango pcm if not I’ll find a junkyard pcm and harness and use that out of a ram.

Other build plans after the swap is concerned are an 11-14”rear stretch and 4” front stretch be around 108-113 is my goal. And as we stretch I haven’t decided if I wanna go with full one tons or Jk44s. In the end I wanna be on 40-42” tires and we have options for those. But gotta figure out suspension and axles first. As I type this I belive I made up my mind. (Depending on junkyard availability) superduty 05+..

Anyway the only other thing I’ve been tho king about is moving the evap/cansister from the rear of the tj to somewhere else. Anyone have any ideas on where or what other options I could use?

 

[Wildman]

It will start and run for 3-5 seconds with the Durango PCM but that will be it. I've not heard of anyone being able to reuse a Durango PCM.

If you're wanting 40-42" tires ultimately IMO you should go with 1 tons or 9"/10" housings to begin with.


Good luck with the move & the job search. Also I'd be checking where you're going to reside in the Phoenix area as some counties have smog tests & your swap will not be legal. If you have to be smog tested you'll need to find a newer engine choice.
As far as the EVAP canister I wonder if you could mount it up front like they did on the earlier models?

 

[Theblkprl1999]

I have access to non emissions registration with my in-laws so no big deal there. However we will do what we can to keep it as legal as we can lol. And idk what would be the negative as far as engine health ect. Of just deleting the evap canister and I haven’t pulled it out to see what connects it together or how to move it just wondered if anyone had lol.

 

[Wildman]

I have access to non emissions registration with my in-laws so no big deal there. However we will do what we can to keep it as legal as we can lol. And idk what would be the negative as far as engine health ect. Of just deleting the evap canister and I haven’t pulled it out to see what connects it together or how to move it just wondered if anyone had lol.

@NashvilleTJ took the canister out and just has the purge valve if I remember correctly. He did that for space. The canister is there to help eliminate gas vapor smells. But he's said he doesn't have any so that might be on option.
You can get it tuned out of the system also instead so that you don't have a check engine light.

 

[Theblkprl1999]

Well I suppose its update time, got to Arizona, been here about 2 months now, finally started working (Arizona game and fish) , been a slow start restarting our lives completely no money no time you get it. anyway jeep update is

Finally in a garage, though be it very short... kinda sucks,
got the motor out of the back seat area lol
separated the trans and motor
going to start doing some basic maint. items to the trans and motor seals gaskets filters ect.

decided to redo the interior plastics.. see what i can do to restore them and make them look not faded and 25 years old

but before much money gets spent on the jeep the wifes 18 durango just lost ac and we are coming into summer now so.. gotta get that taken care of..

so for now we will see what we can do. i suppose i could start wiring stuff and getting things torn apart and laid out considering that is the part im most apprehensive about. maybe look for a ram ecu.. also just debating on biting the bullet and going with a hotwire auto wiring harness however i suppose if it doesnt work i can always use them as a backup...

anyways ill add a few pics later..

thanks for following yall!