I've needed a truck to tow/push my dead sports cars around the property for some time, and my neighbor just donated a 2001 Dodge Durago to the cause. Problem is, there is a big hole where the 4.7L V8 goes. Seems her husband is a mechanic and he bought the truck specifically for the engine, to install in a customer's Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I've got an old, carbureted Dodge 360 that will physically bolt in. It never has to be street legal again, so that's not a concern. What I'm scared of is the alphabet soup of computers that may not work without the 4.7 and all its sensors. Will the BCM let the power windows work? Will the TCM know to let the transmission shift? Will it spontaneously combust when it realizes that it can no longer communicate with the mother ship in outer space?
Any thoughts besides SUVs suck? (we all know they do - but I can't refuse a free junk, no matter what the form)
Drop it in and see what happens. 
why do suv's suck?
a miata fits entirely inside their blindspots for one
amaff
HalfDork
1/19/09 9:37 p.m.
Modern? Hell, they have carburetors in the Cars of Tomorrow!!!
PorschesOnTheCheap wrote:
I've got an old, carbureted Dodge 360 that will physically bolt in.
Nope. The 4.7l V8 and 3.7l V6 have their own bell housing pattern that's not even close to the same pattern as the 360. Now if you had the correct 727 or 904 to fit behind the 360, a custom drive shaft (or two if it's 4wd) and you'll be in business. I don't think the BCM gets much from the engine, so all your windows and such should work, but your tach and speedo might have issues.
Nashco
SuperDork
1/20/09 12:25 a.m.
As mentioned, if you had an old trans you could make it work, but your guages wouldn't work and it'd take a few basic wiring changes. Really though, why not just look on craigslist and buy the first driveable yard truck you see for $500 or less? Heck, you can probably get a pretty decent one if you're not worrying about licensing it and only using it occassionally...salvage title, ugly body, burns/leaks oil, etc.
Bryce
Bryce,
You are right. There's just something about a free truck (or car, boat, airplane - anybody got a free airplane?) and an engine I already have that makes me want to do the impossible.
On the subject of the dodge 4.7L, is it just me or has anyone else wanted to stuff one in a Prowler??? IME, they're a nice OHC V8.
^^ if you can make it fit, hell yeah
petegossett wrote:
On the subject of the dodge 4.7L, is it just me or has anyone else wanted to stuff one in a Prowler??? IME, they're a nice OHC V8.
It won't fit, I have had two of them early 97 and lat 02 e and there is not enough room or a mouse let alone a swap without major changes.
ebay up a 4.7 from LKQ?
or sell the durango. give the lady half since she gave it to you(or a quarter or whatever) and go buy a $500 70's 4x4 on craigslist.
part out the durango on eBay, throw the donor a percentage, then go buy something that runs. everybody wins.
Come on You all,
Gut it and sell all the bits and pieces on eBay (including the trans),
Install a cadge, seat etc + 360
And BINGO you are on your way to the 2009 challenge.
Oh ya and in the process you got a fun yard beater.
I'm not a dodge guy but I know the 5.2 & 5.9 were available in the durango and dakota trucks so the parts should exist to swap in a 318 or 360. Keeping the costs down Im not so sure on without another parts vehicle.
