2003 4.4L vs. 2001 3.0L

[PEV]

Good morning! I currently own E53 2001 3.0L X5 with the manual shift. The body starts rusting through and I have some other issues with it. But the engine is very strong (only 80K miles on it). Someone in the area is selling a 2003 4.4L with faulty engine, but good frame. Will I be able to switch 3.0 and the shift into the 4.4 body? If not - will doors fit between 3.0 and 4.4?
Thanks

[Riggodeaux]

Wow. Sounds like an interesting project. Hopefully some of our more accomplished members will chime in. I would have to think it was doable, and that the drivetrains [both being pre-facelift, pre-xdrive] would present limited substitution issues. I know at least one poster replaced an auto 3.0L with a manual transmission in a pre-Xdrive E53. He might be able to chime in with tips that would apply.