I realize this may not be the best forum however I also know most of you guys are really smart and crafty so here goes.
I have a 2000 Dakota 4x4 (full time) with 4.7, auto trans.
How feasable (easy) is it to swap in a late model Hemi? Will the computer work? Will my current trans and transfer case live or should that be swapped too? Will it be leagal to smog and register? Thanks!

not going to be smog legal, the trans and t case should be ok for a while. It will not be an easy swap, the harness and computer need to be swapped to the 03 up 4 plug computer set up, that will require dash and interior ABS and SRS computers and that will require a swap to the 01 up interior. Your best bet is to start with the 03-04 dakota or at least a donor for all the stuff. You will need to fab an oil pan unless there is an after market one I am un aware of and you will need a mechanical throttle body big enough to feed the hemi, the 4.7 one could be adapted but would be pretty small even on the mildest 5.7. The motor mounts for a 4x4 still need to be fabbed, I don't know of anyone making one yet. If you had the later 03-04 computer system you might be able to get a 5.7 computer from a 1/2 ton of the same year, do some wiring harness mods to run the throttle by wire and finger out how to mount the gas pedal to match, then if both the truck and donor computer do not have factory security they would probably be happy enough together.

There is a guy here who put a V10 Viper engine and manual trans in a Dakota. Doubt it was legal even though it may still pass the smog testing. Engine swaps or increasing the displacement on anything 1981 and newer will get you busted here eventually. The test station guys even have large mirrors on sticks that they use to look for altered exhaust, no cats, etc. Find out the rules for your area before doing anything.

Well, that’s not looking too feasable for me. I’m wondering if the 318/360 Magnum is a more sensible swap for this application? Thoughts??

That’s not easy either. Different transmission and wiring harnesses are way different. The a/c compressor is on different sides as well. Best bet is fix the 4.7 or move on if your not ready for a major project not for the faint of heart. It can be done do a google search there are several guys who have done the hemi swap.

probably the best/simplest thing you can do with your lemon is make lemonade, swap in a good used HO 4.7 and do new timing chains, guides, tensioners, oil pimp water pimp and head gaskets (you can get a front of the engine kit off fleabay for under $150 plus the head gaskets). They make 265 HP and the extra 30 HP over your stock engine is very noticable. Should be good to go for another 100,000 if the bottom end is decent. Anything 02 or older should be a bolt in. The HO engine has forged crank, dome pistons, bigger cams and supposedly bigger intake though I don't see any difference between it and a regular one except the HO stamped on them, same as the heads. Even if you chose to fix up your old engine with the chains and such that I mentioned then the HO cams are an easy and noticable upgrade at that time.

I'm just curious why wouldn't it be smog legal? We have inspection here but apparently it isn't that bad, I put a 2000 Durango 5.9 in my 98 wrangler and it went through with no problem. I thought engine swaps were fine as long as it was the same weight class and engine was same year or newer?

I guess I can't say for sure it would not pass there, I just figured it would be more like CA where everything has to be stock or have a CARB EO number. I have heard of people getting in trouble for putting a 5.9 magnum where a 5.2 magnum was if the guy catches it either looking at the balancer or the CID on the side of the block or perhaps the owner gave out too much info. Maybe the californians just tell everyone its that bad and it really isn't. In a strict place like CA I am sure that you would have to keep ALL the stock emmisions related stuff including the drive by wire crap and that means switching every computer in the truck and the harnesses and the dash to the later model (01=+) kind.

Heres some reading
5.7 into 4x4 Dakota This is a massive post.

There's a guy in Arizona building pans and mounts specifically for the 4x4s

Hotwire Auto has decent information about electronics
Mopar engine swaps bus info

I'm looking into this to do in the next year or so.

Only a few counties in Oregon bother with smog. If they saw my Dakota, their heads would pop, lol.

Dr Dave you have a PM

I would like to see it!