2005 engine into 2006 model?

[Shanto]

Hello all,
i recently bought a 2006 big horn edition dodge ram with the 5.7 hemi.
it was used as a work truck for my friends company. the boss said he was driving it on the freeway and it quit on him and wouldnt restart. dealer told them it needs a new engine so they sold it. i bought it in this unknown condition hoping that i can find a used engine to install. the truck has 200k on the body, and from what the companys records show a recently rebuilt transmission and differential. as well as a fully overhauled A/C system.

Yesterday my friend called me and said his neighbor crashed his 2005 ram and wants to get rid of it for relatively cheap.
i am new to these trucks and from what i saw yesterday my truck looks different than his neighbors. but this forum is grouping them both as a third gen 2002-2008.

it would be awesome if it was a direct swap. But if it is not, i would be curious to know if its a very involved conversion and if id be better off finding a matching engine of the same year.

someone told me all of the newer 5.7s utilize the same longblock. if that is true and i only need to swap out accessories that would be awesome.

id appreciate any insight from you all.
thanks!
-Shanto

 

[17CrewCab1500]

I believe there is some sort of regulation that says you can't put an older motor into a newer vehicle.

I also believe that the tone rings and such as different which will cause issues if you don't swap the entire engine harness and computer..
Others who've done a swap might be able to help more. I know when we built my buddies 2005 Hemi, we had a heck of time trying to keep it all 2005 to make it simple.

 

[HemiLonestar]

I believe there is some sort of regulation that says you can't put an older motor into a newer vehicle.

I also believe that the tone rings and such as different which will cause issues if you don't swap the entire engine harness and computer..
Others who've done a swap might be able to help more. I know when we built my buddies 2005 Hemi, we had a heck of time trying to keep it all 2005 to make it simple.

Emissions laws very by state and locality, that being said the emissions controls on those engines are the same. Long block is virtually identical, tone rings are no different from 03 to 08.

Now OP, you have two options. You can drop it in as is as long as you don't want your MDS (06-08 1500's use MDS). You'll need a tuner to turn it off in the PCM or you will get a CEL. If you actually want the MDS, then you have to pull the heads and lifters, replace the specific cylinders with MDS lifters, install MDS solenoids in place of the block plugs and put it back together.
If either options seems too much, find a 5.7 from an 06-08 1500.

 

[Redtruck-VA]

I would find out what is broke on the truck you have. Dealers often pull the trigger on a engine when it can still be repaired.

 

[Shanto]

thank you all for the responses.
the dismantlers around here all have 2006-2008 motors for anywhere between 1500-2500 depending on condition.
i can get the entire 2005 truck for 500.
so i do like the idea hemilonestar suggested involving turning off the mds system.
can this be done with hptuners? i already have the hardware for my camaro.

with all that being said, i do plan on pulling the plugs and taking a peak inside the engine. we all know how honest dealers can be. so ill investigate thoroughly before making any decisions.
if things look ok internally ill be doing a compression test to find any suspect cylinders and go from there.

thanks guys

 

[HemiLonestar]

thank you all for the responses.
the dismantlers around here all have 2006-2008 motors for anywhere between 1500-2500 depending on condition.
i can get the entire 2005 truck for 500.
so i do like the idea hemilonestar suggested involving turning off the mds system.
can this be done with hptuners? i already have the hardware for my camaro.

I know HPtuners is compatible with CAN bus LX cars but you'll need to verify if it's compatible with your truck. If so it should be a menu option. If memory serves HPtuners actually has an MDS option to change what speed it kicks in.