3rd gen to 4th gen engine swap

[prospectiverammer]

So im looking into buying a 2003 1500 with 125k on a hemi that has engine noise. The problem is i dont know if it is rod knock or the hemi tick and the guy wants 3700 for the truck and it may need an engine replacement. my question is how hard would it be to use a 4th gen engine? im finding them alot cheaper with alot less miles than the 3rd gens and the extra power would be nice. found a 2009 complete engine with 75k on it for 1600. cheapest complete running 3rd gen was 1800 with 130k. Im currently running a 93 jeep yj with 196k and over $7k put into it. it is time for it to go!! 8 mpg with a 2.5 4 banger... planning on selling it to buy the truck

 

[MADDOG]

You'll need the PCM from a 4th gen truck and maybe the TCM as well.

I suspect you'll also need the 4th gen engine harness.

 

[charonblk07]

Using the VVT engine will be very difficult, especially on the '03 which is a bastardization between the new hemi and the outgoing magnum engines. You'd need to swap all of the components over including PCM and you'd need to modify the wiring harness to work with the truck's electronics as well. It will be MUCH easier to find a 3rd gen non-VVT engine for the swap.

 

[hotkarl]

You would need everything. By the time you are done the $1600 motor is very far from $1600. It's doable but you really need a donor truck to scavenge all the stuff you need.

 

[prospectiverammer]

Ok thanks guys, thats pretty much what i suspected