Motor swap

The Dakota is a Mid size truck where as the 1500 is a Full size truck. The 1500 will have a wider frame. Also the engine mounts may not attach to the same places on the 1500 frame. I wont say it's impossible, but you're probably looking at a big job that will require some mods to your 1500.

I'm trying to find a motor and the ones out of a 1500 near me are either overpriced or hard to find

What year is your 1500 and what engine did it have...5.7, 5.9?

It's a 99 ram 1500 not sure what sub model it was a company truck all logos were stripped, it currently has a 5.2 318 in it that is on borrowed time I'm afraid

It's issue is a chattering I believe coming from the lifters, I changed the valve cover gaskets and everything under the valve covers are cooked and crusted, the only other thing I can think of is the timing chain is stretched. The chatter only happens when going uphill or getting on it

Ok, I'm assuming you've priced engines from salvage yards etc. Since it already has a 5.2 I would check the mounting points on the one in the Dakota and measure the frames from side to side on both trucks. You may just have to drill new mounting holes for the mounts on the 1500. Since the Dakota is a smaller truck I wouldn't think you can do a direct swap. But check the mounting and measurements to see what it'll take.

Ok I have just seen quite a few more of the Dakota's that was the reason for asking, I'd really like to just fix my engine, I don't want to have to swap it out but if I don't have a choice I wanna make sure it can just be a direct hookup with changing motor mounts, exhaust computers ect

Yeah the chattering can be a couple things. As for cooked and crusted lifters etc. is sounds like the engine was overheated at some point, and or hasn't had regular oil changes. Hard to say if the engine is rebuildable without tearing it down.

It was a company truck so Lord knows what's has been done to it, I probably don't put 1000 miles a year on it so I know the damage was already there but the chatter started not too long ago and I just want a healthy engine

I hear you. We all want the least expensive option that is also the most reliable and longest lasting. Since I can't be there to compare both trucks concerning an engine swap, I'm just trying to give the best ideas I can think of, like checking mounting points for the mounts and measuring. The only swaps I've done were same engine to and from same vehicle, and didn't involve electronics. If you ask me everything should still be carbureted lol.

Indeed, you've been a great help my friend

No problem. I hope you get it worked out.