Hello everyone, I am considering changing my 01 crew cab 4x4 auto to a manual transmission and was wondering if anyone here has done so or know how much would have to be changed to do it. I know some of you are thinking he must be crazy but I tow a 5th wheel camper (20,000) lbs total truck and camper to NC mountains several times a year and just got back this weekend with my tripple A-pillar gages newly installed My trany temps went to 235. I mainly think this is because the speeds were aroun 30-35 mph because of the twisting roads and tight curves. Any how I know everyone says BTS tranny but I was just thinking of the 6 spd instead of a 4000.00 plus tranny. My truck has 53'000 miles tranny works fine but I know it will be short lived. Sorry for the long post. Thanks again for any and all thoughts Jeff.

 

i was considering this bc im not 100% happy with my truck bc its a long bed xlt. i wanted to buy a lariat short bed cc and convert it to a manual bc manual lariats are hard to come by. i've done some asking around and have been told its way too much work to do the conversion and not practical. might was well go with the bts tranny, its stronger than a stock 6spd.

 

Have you considered the torque converter lock switch mod? Sounds like that would be up your alley. Do a search for "TC lock switch" and you'll have a lot of reading. I just done mine and it works great. Should help you lower your tranny temps and be better for your tranny overall. Good luck.


Marty

 

i would go with Marty. the $50 (maximum) for a TC lock and switch would be much better suited. plus a large trans cooler and you will keep temps around 190 or less in that same condition.

i had planned on gettin a 6 speed because i like shifting, but i drove a 6 speed truck (6.0 ) with a 6 speed as a loaner dump truck. setting aside the powerband of the 6.0, the gear throws are too far and not smooth, you cannot shift it diagonally, i found that you had to pull it out of gear and row across and then up in the next gear in two 90* motions. i figure when im done i could have a badass BTS drop in tranny with the money i would spend on the conversion. BTS has done a manual to auto conversion, it's on their site.

 

the $.02: you cant shift fast enough to race rice burners, have to launch in 3 rd, and smoke the tires all the time you get on it hard in the lowers. However, it is really cool to cruise on the freeway in rush hour in 1 st gear idle ing and granny is great for hauling 10K# up the side of a hill in no big hurry.

having done these swaps in other cars, you almost need a wrecked vehicle to make the parts available economically, way too many stupid brackets and doo huckeys.

 

 

I'd look into the cost of it. I think you'll find that it's going to be pretty expensive to do the conversion. Of course I'm a fan, but I think the idea of going with the BTS trans would be your less expensive option. I know you'll need a new wiring harness at least to properly do the conversion.

 

I have seriously considered this and the only way i see it as even "Possible" would be with a complete donor truck. You would have to have everything from the drive shaft to the wire harness,steering column and computer. The linkage assembly for the clutch and brake pedals would be an issue also. Like everyone has said you would be money far ahead with a BTS tranny, that is the direction i will go when my 4r100 pukes it's guts out.

 

Thanks guys, sorry so it took me so long to reply, I've been really busy. Thanks for all the info. When I get time I have some questions about the TC lockup mod. Thanks again, Jeff

 

OK you got me, now I'm confused. some days you want to shift, some days you don't?? Just don't ever throw it into RACE.

 

that was from BTS's site on the conversion they did from manual to auto.

 

or you could find someone in your region of the country who wants the opposite of you and switch with them. i see people wanting this all the time.
what about a 5 speed from an obs? much easier to shift. would be cheaper than a 6 speed also.

 

I have been considering this same thing for quite some time, and it's true, the only two economical and practical choices are to either find a wrecked truck or find another person who want's what you have and then switch. Someone above made a good point, for the $$$ you'd spend on the conversion, go with a wicked auto and TC, this is my new path too. I had my auto replaced just over a year ago and had been running 3.73's with 38 inch tires. Suffice it to say that that combination is pretty hard on the tranny. I recently up'd my ring and pinion to 5.38's as I will be going to 42 inch tires in a bit. Changing the ratio of my diffs was a HUGE difference on the tranny, night and day to be honest.

 

Floor pan is also different believe it or not. The auto has a shorter 'hump' where the trans is. The two have different trans tunnels. With the OBS 92-97, an auto to manual conversion is much easier. You will need a slave cylinder, new manual flywheel to replace the flex plate from the auto, a clutch (not a dual mass...stay away from those), a new pedal box plus pedals, possibly different driveshafts, the trans, a shifter of course, a new or reflashed pcm, a block plate to cover the gear indicator from the auto (not necessary), and a new wiring harness among other small things that I can't remember... In short, if you have a lot of money to do it good, but otherwise just get a built auto and t/c lock switch. Thats what I am doing temporarily.

 

oops wrong thread, my bad. haha.