i have a 2000 dakota 4x4 with a 3.9 and 150k on it i am waiting for it to die so i can drop in a late 60's early 70's small block in it i hate all the computer crap in cars today my question is what kind of a headache :banghead: can i expect with this kind of swap besides a different radiator, wiring harness, and motor mounts what issues will i have with the tranny and the 4x4 assembly thanks for any help anyone can give me

 

The tranny (42RH) will not like the power coming out of a small block V8. You would probably be better off swapping in a 5.9/46RH setup and chaging over the wiring harness and computer. If you swap in a LA motor, find a 518A or 618A tranny and put that behind it.

Another issue that you will run into (if you go with a LA/518A-618A setup) is that you have a driver side drop front axle and I believe all the 518A and 618A trannies came with passenger side drop t-case. You'll have to get an adaptor to bolt your current t-case up to one of these earlier transmissions.