Chris, I am with Bronlin in that I wanted a 4x4. I bought a 97 that was supposed to have the 5.9 engine but it turned out to be the 5.2. I haven’t driven it on wood very much yet , but I did have it up to 69 mph on 100% wood gas. I found a 5.9 engine that I bought that I eventually will put in it but I will just use the 5.2 for now. If you could find a 97-99 Dakota RT that would make a great wood gas truck as they had the 5.9. Trouble is they are usually more money as they are kinda a hot rod.
I wouldn’t go too crazy trying to swap out a 5.9 for a 5.2 unless you really need the new engine. 40 cubic inches is not that big a deal. As usual it’s more about getting any fuel in and out. Heads and exhaust do that. Some thoughts from Uncle Tony’s garage.
Tom, I agree if I were wanting to get more high end power, but my drag racing days are over and what I want is more low end torque. That’s what the gasifier needs for improved cruising speed at low rpm.
Thanks everyone! So I will not be afraid of getting a 4x4 then. As Wayne said it will probably not be your last vehicle you will do.
What do you all think about manual transmissions? I know automatics are easier. I’ve read you need to keep the rpms up when starting out. I’m totally new to DOW. I have had manual transmissions my whole life so not new to them. Thanks again Chris
Manual should be fine. You’ll have an easier time idling since you can just knock it out of gear at a standstill and turn the idle up, and when you’re going downhill your engine braking will keep demand up on the gasifier to gun it on the uphill. If manual is already second nature for you like you said you’ll be alright.
I’m running a 97 dakota sport 4x4 with the 5.9L magnum. Dropped the box and went with a flat bed.
I can’t push 80 like Wayne, but i can run 65mph. Thats running it on soft wood. But plan to try oak here this fall/winter.
Currently not running on wood. Hopper temp gauge has been flaky and i got it too hot and burned the hopper seal.
Planning on replacing hopper temp prob and making new seal… just need to find the time to do it.
Well I’m still looking. Seems like I’m just waiting for prices to get higher. Here is an interesting one. I was wondering what everyone thought on the 5.9 engine that needs to be installed?
If the price is decent it sounds good but the engine would make me a little nervous since you can’t hear it run. Because it’s out of the truck I’d want to drain any oil out of it and pull the valve covers and oil pan. At least you would have some idea of it’s condition. If it was cheap enough I’d consider just buying a short block from Summit or JEG’s and If the 5.9 was no good I’d just stick the top end off it onto the short block. Basically a new motor then.
I wanted a 5.9 and thought that was what I was getting when I bought my truck. The previous owner was confused and it was the 5.2. I found a 5.9 with 94k and bought it for $300. It is sitting in my shop on an engine stand ready to go into my truck, when I have time, or immediately if I blow up the 5.2.
Three are two changes to keep in mind 5.2 versus 5.9.
The flex plates will be functionally different for two reasons.
The 5.2 engine is internally balanced on the crankshaft. The 5.9 due to longer stroke space limitations has external weighting moved out onto the flex plate.
You’ll know from the slow speed running shaking you’ve mixed these up. Been there.
Second be-aware. Pre-1996 flex plates were sensor slotted gapped for the earlier SBEC electronic controllers. In vehicle ID’d with a single master connector plug. The controller having a plastic ventilating cover.
The true 1996 and later systems have a different sensor slotted flex plate edge. For use with the newer JTEC engine controller. It will be flatter than the earlier controller with two or three separate wiring harness plugs.
Mix these up and the engine will crank; but not have an enable correct spark or fuel injection timing.
The engines themselves can be interchanged alright.
As long as you match the flex plate engine mounted to the chassis’s production in-use electronics system the engines balancing needs.
S.U.
Hi Steve thanks so much for the answer sorry I have not gotten back sooner. You are a wealth of information. I find myself felling dumber and dumber in this world. Would it still apply if it had a manual transmission?
Yes. Specifically with the Dodge/Jeeps automatic transmissions.
Truthfully I get fuzzy with the tone wheel system changes with manual transmissions on these applications.
So very few MT’s out there.
MarcusN. may know
S.U.
