V8 (5.2) swapping a van

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Princess Valiant said:
It has a good title, the only reason it's so cheap is because it doesn't run, the interior is a mess and it's been sitting in the same spot on private property for 15+ years. :eek:
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Time to get on Rockauto and buy every piece of rubber there is under the hood and undercarriage for that thing if it has sat that long.

If it were me doing this, I would try to find a running wrecked v8 donor vehicle and swap engine and trans. Trans in the van would be suspect after sitting for 15years. That way you will have the computer, correct wiring, sensors and injectors for the swap, the whole nine yards.
 
mgoblue9798 said:
That is about a day's travel time in SoCal right?
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Yeah. I might need to get a van so I'll have a place to sleep cause it takes so long to get there. LOL

But really, there are ones closer but this guy is my chiropractor from when I was in the Navy down on the coast and I don't trust just anyone cracking my neck. Worth the drive.
 
go-fish said:
Yeah. I might need to get a van so I'll have a place to sleep cause it takes so long to get there. LOL

But really, there are ones closer but this guy is my chiropractor from when I was in the Navy down on the coast and I don't trust just anyone cracking my neck. Worth the drive.
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I get it. I have been going to mine for over 20 years. He is a big guy and can force my back into place where others I have been to couldn't. My van with the captains chairs lets me enjoy a vacation out of town for the week without hurting from the long drive. Worth its weight in gold to me for that reason.
 
The Vermont deal is totally legit and easy. Got my Demon registered with a hand written bill of sale. Vermont runs the vin to make sure it's not stolen. Bunch of YouTube videos to help you along
 
Princess Valiant said:
It has a good title, the only reason it's so cheap is because it doesn't run, the interior is a mess and it's been sitting in the same spot on private property for 15+ years. :eek: the seller is getting tired of looking at it and he does not have a very big market for a vehicle in this condition
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Offer them $200...
 
318willrun said:
I have driven shorties with 3.9 magnum. You'd think it was a 5.2 on part throttle. Again, not a race machine, but certainly takes off with traffic at the stop lights no problem. Maybe because of gearing, but actually felt a touch stronger than Dakota's with 3.9's.
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I’ve had both a 94 1500 3.9 shorty work van, had a 3 speed auto and 3.91 gear. That thing would run.
Then I got a 98 5.2 regular size 1500 work van and it ran pretty well but I think the 3.9 would have gotten the jump. Fuel mileage was the same. Same amount of cargo.
 
$400 seems fair if it runs and drives. I like 5.9l swap:thumbsup:

If you're keeping the EFI, i highly recommend you also get a spare controller that works.

If you get sick of it or want to flip, I'd put on the Tokyo Craigslist. The Japanese have their own race series with those:steering:
 
Princess Valiant said:
So I am thinking of buying a 92 dodge ram shorty van that has a dead 3.9 v6. The van is VERY clean as far as the body, with NO rust.

The interior is faded and old but very solid and complete.

Would it be better to pull the 3.9 and see what's wrong with it OR v8 swap with a 318

Any foreseeable advantages or disadvantages

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What ended up happening on this one? Did you pass on it or buy it?
 
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