I'm getting conflicting reports as to need for PCM/ECM replacement necsseity.

This would be a great write up for this site.

Maybe I can get the parts together and Michael and I could do it at his shop and document the process.

Yes I would get matching ECM and PCM for the right year with a manual transmission. Yes, there is software differences on both PCM and ECM. Also get the wiring loom too. Like converting over to manual there is no vacuum cruise anymore in the later series. It now fly by wire cruise. I'd be game to doing a conversion. The problem is if we are missing anything its a long haul to get stuff.

It would be nice to have a donor truck parked close by.

It would be nice to have a donor truck parked close by.

 

Or towed behind his when it comes to my place. I might to take payment in parts.

I didn't need a different ecm or pcm with the swap in my 98. I did however swap them anyway but just because I'm anal about little things that don't matter to most. The only difference you will notice with your auto ecm, is you won't have the take off assist that a factory manual trans will have. Smarty can rewrite your ECM to have a manual tune instead of swapping as well.

Well I'd likely tow my RV behind my truck rather than a donor truck. Just gotta be organized. Don't get too excited. Based on time of year, it'll probably not happen till next spring.

Smarty sounds like a good way to go.

Prolly do an exhaust brake too. Half the fun of a manual transmission.