Engine Swap

[kwats1928]

First the back story (2003 1500 with 4.7 vin N). Started having issues with coolant disappearing with no leaks evident on the ground. Started cheap and replaced the radiator cap, this seemed to fix the issue for a while. Then the engine started missing, had the codes checked and showed misfire on 5 and 8. Got up the next day and headed to work, it looked like a fog machine behind me, ughh head gasket. stopped it before it got too hot and had it towed home. No coolant left in res, didnt top it off cause I knew I would be tearing into it. Tore into the engine a bit of sludge in oil fill tube but none around valves and cam area. Found number 8 rocker laying on top of the head :-( number 5 had the head gasket dumping into it with a small crack in the head. Engine has a few leaks, from main etc. so I decided just to swap the whole thing out. Here are my question..... What years 4.7 will work with the 2003 with no adapting? I found a 2008 4.7 with dual plug, how hard is it to change over? I would rather not have to change a lot of stuff but if it means more hp with the dual plugs and its not to pricey I may go for it. I assume tone wheels will for sure have to be changed. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[caderoderick13]

i will try to give a little help, but someone correct me if im wrong, i dont know a whole lot about motors, but had this same project with my 4.7 and had to switch it out. so, i will tell you what i know, 2002-2003 rams will for sure plug right into it, i wanna think 2004-2005's also do, but im not sure about those someone will have to confirm or decline on those. also, 1999-2001 durango 4.7 motors will also plug right up, (i got mine out of a wrecked 2001 durango) SOME 2002 durango 4.7's will work, but be cautious with those, i think its 2002.5 technically is when they switched the cranks and plugs. as far as how hard it would be to switch out the entire computer system with all the plugs, i do not know how hard that is since we went the route that we didnt need to worry about that so hopefully someone with knowledge of that can help you out. it could be simple, but i would think it would be difficult. i would suggest looking on a website called copart.com but only registered dealers can bid on veihcles there if you know someone who could do it for you. thats where we got the entire doner durango for $1100, with tons of extra good parts. hope this helps a bit

Edit:: when i saw those year rams i mean just the 4.7's. the 5.7's will also go in but would have to change computers for those and also new motor mounts, so if you were to switch the computer for the 4.7 anyway, i'd just go ahead and put the 5.7 in instead, they have the same trannys I THINK

 

[chefred112]

tranny's are definitely the same (or compatible) ...I went as far back as a 2002 4.7 tranny that mated and was plug and play into my 05 hemi...