[2004 Dakota R2.8L Cummins Diesel Swap]

3 hours ago, Moses Ludel said:

Hi, wrecks2020...I did some parts referencing.  You should have a 5-45RFE (545RFE) transmission, and this was used in 2005/06 behind the 2.8L Liberty diesel.  The factory uses the same case for your 4.7L 545RFE application as the Liberty 2.8L:  Mopar P/N 04799613AB.  There is also a transmission housing adapter that the 2.8L engine must have:  05015067AA Mopar part number.

If you do the VM/Liberty engine, be sure to get the factory adapter.  It should fit your 545RFE case.  (Compare the bolt pattern.)  You'll need the correct flex plate and torque converter, too.  If you can line up a donor Liberty engine and the automatic transmission parts are still around, make a careful comparison of parts.

The VM is the easier way to go with these factory parts—if you can find a Liberty KJ donor vehicle with a diesel engine.  The Cummins alternative is currently without an adapter to the 545RFE.  Advance Adapters does some 42RLE pieces (like the RubiCrawler) and is familiar with that transmission; the Liberty used the 42RLE with gas and diesel engines prior to the 545RFE.  The Dakota also used the 42RLE before the 545RFE.  The JK Wrangler and late TJ Wrangler used the 42RLE.

Advance Adapters recommends use of electronically controlled transmissions unless you want to do the Cummins 2.8L with an AX15 or NV3550/3500 manual transmission.  An AX15 could be fitted to a Dakota pickup, Chrysler used the NV3500 in the Dakotas.  You can consult with A/A about these mate-up prospects.

Moses  

This is very helpful! Thank you so much! Of course I have more questions:

1. The 545RFE is electronically controlled. If I swap in the VM 2.8, can I use it's PCM in my Dodge? And will I need a seperate transmission controller? How much of the donor Liberty will I need to do the swap? many thanks!

[2004 Dakota R2.8L Cummins Diesel Swap]

I have an 04 Dakota 4.7 V8 4x4 with the 545RFE tranny. My plan is to swap in the 2.8 Cummins crate engine or possibly the 05 to 06 VM Motori 2.8 diesel out of the Liberty. Will the VM bolt up to my transmission? Does anyone make a bellhousing adaptor for the Cummins swap?

thanks