There are just some days I wish I didn't turn wrenches

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

strutaeng

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2023
Posts
1,193
Reaction score
2,491
Location
Dallas, Texas
My landlord asked me to help his guy that does work for him on the buildings on his rental properties. Has a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 that threw a rod. Is a 4.7 V8. First used engine replacement attempt was a 4.7 out of a Dakota year 2003 and did start but a lot of the brackets and other install components did not fit and when it did run, the idle would always fluctuate and then the engine would die and then would not restart till next day. So, as it turns out that when I drove to help him, 15 miles away. that he has a small salvage yard. He had a 2004 Ram 1500 with a 4.7 engine that was in a wrecked rolled over truck. He ripped out the Dakota 4.7 and installed this engine. Then he put it all together enough, minus radiator and all components at front of engine. Now it cranks over and spits while cranking and using starting fluid it fires off for a second and flames out of the TB. It has spark but sounds out of time. He has tried numerous cam/crank sensors and even an IAC valve. My scanner would not hook up/mate up and said that no info to send. I looked under the hood of the 2004 and the ECM had 4 harness connectors and the 2002 ECM had 3 connectors. Saw a few harness connectors that were hanging. Further research found that the 2004 is a Flex Fuel truck, the 2002 is a gas. FF did not start for Dodge, till 2004. Has different part numbers for some components and I also found that the Crank sensor tone wheel is different. I told him he needs a different engine or to swap all computerization and harnesses. See pics.

View attachment 442563View attachment 442564View attachment 442565View attachment 442566View attachment 442567
He can't LS swap it? :)

I'm kidding.

I don't really know anything about these trucks, but my sister has second generation Durango, I believe the same engine. Several years ago her water pump failed and it overheated. My BIL had the engine replaced. And same BIL bought a 2013-ish Ram maybe 3 years ago. I don't think he drives it much. He's a Chevy guy but told me the only reason why he's bought these trucks is because used Chevys are kinda expensive.

We do own a minivan with the Pentastar, but everything else I own is GM full sized.
 

15burban

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2023
Posts
155
Reaction score
274
Location
Wisconsin
I could be wrong but I think when dodge switched the tone rings they switched their canbus system also. So if even if you did switch the harness you'd have to switch out the gauge cluster too otherwise the motor won't talk to the cluster/interior harness. Dodges wiring/computer systems are way more complicated then they need to be. Hence why once my 16 rusts out from under me I'll be looking for a 90's mid 00's gm truck.
 

Tonyrodz

Resident Resident
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Posts
31,623
Reaction score
47,151
Location
Central Jersey
I could be wrong but I think when dodge switched the tone rings they switched their canbus system also. So if even if you did switch the harness you'd have to switch out the gauge cluster too otherwise the motor won't talk to the cluster/interior harness. Dodges wiring/computer systems are way more complicated then they need to be. Hence why once my 16 rusts out from under me I'll be looking for a 90's mid 00's gm truck.
I agree with you. Cars are getting more complicated then they need to be.
 
OP
OP
OR VietVet

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
20,768
Reaction score
36,755
Location
Willamette Valley
Also, 2004 is a TIPM year, and the 2002 is not. Its easier to swap the engine for the correct one.
Good call. I forgot about that. I did not know that started in 2004. I have had to give bad news to a previous customer about the TIPM problems on her 2017 Cherokee.
 

TollKeeper

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Posts
3,045
Reaction score
6,051
Location
Brighton, CO
The 2002 has a TIPM, just different, but its a completely different variant than the latter ones. In fact the 2002 and 2003.5 are year specific, and only fit those years.
 
OP
OP
OR VietVet

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
20,768
Reaction score
36,755
Location
Willamette Valley
Even with the 3 bay Snap On lower cabinet, my sockets and ratchets top drawer, was very crowded. If I wanted a specific extension or ratchet, I had to sort thru all of the choices to find what I wanted. Got tired of it and went to HF and bought a roll around cart. I transferred over all my ratchets and most of my extensions that I use most of the time. I put my scanners and DVOM meter in another drawer and all of my battery powered Milwaukee Tools in another and filled one drawer with spare parts that I have gathered over time. Lots of jugs of fluids on the lower shelf.

I also got a new 3 ton Arcan floor jack and rebuilt the HF jack I had before.

20241119_062823.jpg20241119_062902.jpg20241119_062942.jpg20241119_063014.jpg
 

TollKeeper

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Posts
3,045
Reaction score
6,051
Location
Brighton, CO
Speaking of... I found the coolest tool. Its a wobble extension, of sorts. It cant handle large amounts of torque. But its a great tool for working in tight dashboard areas.. Like blend door actuators, or hidden inside fender bolts. The ones where you can only get one click on your ratchet... Love this tool.

 
OP
OP
OR VietVet

OR VietVet

Multnomah Falls
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Oct 8, 2014
Posts
20,768
Reaction score
36,755
Location
Willamette Valley
Speaking of... I found the coolest tool. Its a wobble extension, of sorts. It cant handle large amounts of torque. But its a great tool for working in tight dashboard areas.. Like blend door actuators, or hidden inside fender bolts. The ones where you can only get one click on your ratchet... Love this tool.

Yea, I got a 1/4" and a 3/8" drive flex extension too. Very handy when a wobble extension will not work.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,377
Posts
1,867,009
Members
97,012
Latest member
Roscoe2352

Latest posts

Top