I hate to speak to soon but I can hardly control myself. I finally found the permenant fix for the torque convertor locking and unlocking. Its an nv4500! I found a donor truck on CL and got the guy down to $1800. its a 2000 model and it was a dually but had been converted into a mud truck. The owner rolled it 30 minutes into his first outing and the cab and driverside body got destroyed but the motor and trans/transfercase are still good. best part is I shouldnt have to source any parts except a shifter boot. Getting it for such a good price should enable me to at least break even when I sell the engine and my auto trans/transfer case. My auto is still good and has good firm shifts but nothing takes the place of a stick in my opinion. Did I mention im super excited so I hope something doesnt go wrong. Im picking it up tuesday.

Congrats! Good luck with it, u've got some fun work ahead of you lol You gonna to a full write up on it?

If you have everything ahead of time, you can literally swap to 5speed in about 6-8hrs with basic hand tools and a trans jack.. Been there, done that ;)

I will try to do a writeup when I get done. I should have everything there, hopefully.

I will try to do a writeup when I get done. I should have everything there, hopefully.

Please do and include lots of pictures and video if possible.

The only thing I can think of, off the top of my head, is that you 'may' get a "TRANS TEMP" light, after the swap. I did, on my '96. I just pulled the bulb, though, since the trans temp sensor was no longer there with the 5 speed.

Wohooo!!!! do keep us posted! Good luck!Hag

Here it is

Here it is

Ouch! at least half the work is done for you... lol Are the seats re usable??

LOL VECTOR,I was thinking the same thing. Need a bottom that doesn't kill my be-hind.Hag

They are real dirty and I think the driver side has a hole but they are electric/leather/lumbar on both driver and passenger seats. I wish they were good but dont think they would be. Maybe with a good cleaning:shrug:. This truck was a loaded laramie, even has radio controls in the steering wheel, I didnt even know that was available in 2000. Let me go get some pics of this pile of junk.

- - - Updated - - -

I dont know about the seats, wheat do yall think? The last two pics are my favorite.

Shoot those seats will clean right up! main thing is the Cushioning looks great. Sucks i just left FL for KY and put some tan cloths in , Clean em up and they'd sell... Did you get a decent price on this setup? considering the engine/tranny is technically the only useable parts?

I got it for less than most people say they have in their 5 speed swaps so im tickled to death. The engine is for sale as is my 47re and dld tcase. I will sell the seats and anyother little nicknacks I dont need for the swap if anybody wants them.

I got it for less than most people say they have in their 5 speed swaps so im tickled to death. The engine is for sale as is my 47re and dld tcase. I will sell the seats and anyother little nicknacks I dont need for the swap if anybody wants them.

Not to shabby! Hit up Cumminsdog on CF he's been looking for one of those rear seat storage boxes 4 awhile now... Also PM sent your way

Thanks Vector!!! Im Cumminsdog over on CF. i sent you a PM! im gonna send you another about the power seats!BTW what a steal! by the time you sell your trans the motor and everything else you might end up MAKING money! and get your 5 speed!

I got it for less than most people say they have in their 5 speed swaps so im tickled to death. The engine is for sale as is my 47re and dld tcase. I will sell the seats and anyother little nicknacks I dont need for the swap if anybody wants them.

Hell of a deal. When you starting ? I can probably hand beer and wrenches if required one weekend since I'm close now

Sounds good. There is a pull or drag race next saturday (cant remember) so might start on sunday if the shop on base is open.

This is awesome, Ryan. :thumbup2:Heck of a deal, and I hope all the work goes smooth for you. Take it from this kid, and I know many others will agree, but it don't get no better than shifting your own gears, especially in a Cummins.

. .until you get older and do a lot of in town towing... B-)From the Galaxy S3

This is awesome, Ryan. :thumbup2:Heck of a deal, and I hope all the work goes smooth for you. Take it from this kid, and I know many others will agree, but it don't get no better than shifting your own gears, especially in a Cummins.

Oh I know all to well, my first cummins was an 03 with a 6speed. I went from that with a quadzilla race box to an almost sock 98 auto and it was a complete turd to say the least.

. .until you get older and do a lot of in town towing... B-) From the Galaxy S3

I agree the auto is really nice in town, especially when your trying to eat a burger and drive. There is also way to much traffic here and I have been planning on going full billet with the auto but I have been plagued by the tq lock/unlock issue and had enough.

Oh I know all to well, my first cummins was an 03 with a 6speed. I went from that with a quadzilla race box to an almost sock 98 auto and it was a complete turd to say the least.

LOL That's how I felt when I went from my 400+hp '96, to my turd-slow '01, when it was stock!

I agree the auto is really nice in town, especially when your trying to eat a burger and drive. There is also way to much traffic here and I have been planning on going full billet with the auto but I have been plagued by the tq lock/unlock issue and had enough.

Yeah, this one is built, but is a hack-job from previous owner and a 2-bit trashy diesel shop in Wesminster, MD.. I'm tempted to either build a 47RH, and eliminate the electronics, or go back to an (originally-equipped) 5 speed.. Yes, this DRW was originally a 5 speed.