This thread will show my 2001 Dakota Quad Cab getting a 2004 Hemi ,Rumble Bee Motor.I can help anyone else doing this swap as long as you're using 03'-04'-wiring Harness.The 05'-and up harness is out of my league for wiring,but THIS WILL SHOW you how to get the motor mounted into your Dakota..And wired..
NOTE : I might have missed a couple of small things I had to do to make this motor fit + This is a poor mans build..You WILL want to go through every detail take notes-and ask questions before doing this..I am a certified Welder and fabricator,So this is not hard for me..You may want to consult someone who knows what to do with a torch - Welding machine and Grinder, before attempting to do this project...GOOD LUCK...

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Of course you'll start with A Hemi Motor..If there's a 4.7 in the truck-It will bolt up to a Hemi Motor..
If using another kind of transmission 727 for instance, They make Kits for that too..

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There are two ways to prepare your engine for it's new home.If you know a great welder,who can fabricate,with torches or a plasma cutter.You can rebuild the oil pan..Not me. I'm a certified pipe welder,doing that would be a piece of cake.BUT I notched my cross member with a SAWS-ALL. Quick-and easy-I was done in 45 Minutes.Take the same saws-all and cut the motor mount perches off the frame"It's easier to do this with a torch if you have one".......You need to re-support the notch that was cut out of the cross member before installing the motor.If not you won't be able to weld the top..I Cut three pieces of 1/2"-steel and wrapped the notch all the way around..Make sure to stitch weld the plates. If you get it too hot ,it might warp the cross member.
IF you choose to re-design the oil pan.You'll have to cut the pickup tube too. re-shape it to fit the pan,then weld it back together.

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I couldn't afford to buy motor mounts for a Hemi..So I comprimized .There's a big difference between the motor mounts on a Dakota and the bolt holes on the Hemi.If you can buy a set of Hemi Motor mounts;Cut them apart and modify them to bolt to the Motor.
I cut a 1/2", steel plate to make up the difference..as shown here..Once you modify the Motor mounts and figure out which way to go...Bolt them onto the motor "ALONG WITH the Dakota perches you cut off the frame...

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Once you have mounted the motor mounts-to the Motor. Face the mount perches facing down,and leave them loose so you can move them side to side. You'll have to weld them back to the frame..

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Setting the motor down into the frame. You'll need to put a floor jack under the transmission tail shaft to hold it up until you get the Transmission cross member hot "bolted" into place..Once you have the motor sitting in the truck.Hook up the drive shaft.Then you have to figure out where it's going to line up best with the rear end..Move the floor jack to the oil pan so you can pick up the motor"If you need to"..Line the motor up with the rear end..I did this by measuring the drive shaft.First the front-"behind the tail shaft".. Then the Rear at the rear end..Move the motor left or right..When they measured the same, Front to back,on the drive shaft..You're motor is set..Make sure it's right up and down..If you want to be sure of this , Place the top half of the fan shroud into place and turn the fan..If it hits ,It's too high.Lower it.I don't think you'll have to worry about it being too low. The Motor perches will stop that..

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Next step once you have everything aligned is to tack weld the perches to the frame..Next, Disconnect the trans, from cross member-"AND" unbolt the motor mounts.. lift the motor and trans..back out about 6 inches..Just enough to get to the perches and weld them back to the frame.."UNLESS" you can get to the welds without picking the motor up..

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Bolt everything back up.Motor mounts-Trans.cross member Etc...You're motor is in.I'll post wiring instructions if I get good feedback from this...

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These pictures are of my truck after the Hemi installation..It DON'T look this way now..I am doing a lot of body work in preparation for the Custom paint I am going to be doing with my airbrush..I will try to get the burn-out on this page too.
Thank you to everyone who checked out this thread, I hope it helps and someone will give good feedback...
George.......

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love it, love to see how it all turns out. youre not keepin that front piece are you? love to see the updated pics and burnout