Posted May 28, 201411 yr Hi All, So what do you think, would this be the best Dodge Cummins to own? Why? Why not? I have a 98.5, missed it by this much! Just want your opinion, Dave
June 4, 201411 yr it's pretty common to find a 'conversion set up' listed on ebay or craigslist.. Someone's parting out a truck. You'll get just about everything needed, trans, flywheel, clutch, hydraulics, cross member, pedal set up, Most of these run 2 to 3k bucks... just so you know, these will not be 'fresh' rebuilds, and probably could use a going though! a lot of remanned trans run 1800 up to almost 4 thousand.. So just from that, if the seller can prove its a good trans, then the 'kit' is good money. Remember you'll need a trans set up for your type of truck; either 2 or 4wd... Your existing TC bolts right up. driveshafts need to be lengthened, shortened.. or cobbed off the donor, if it's the right ones Then there's the pcm... will need the manual version After the parts are gathered, 2 guys can do it in a good weekend, 1 guy probably will need 2.. Easy? no, impossible? no. time consuming yes. lots of crap has to be removed/replaced.. but when done, it's just like the factory did it..
June 5, 201411 yr As for the Auto... If one takes the time to pick the right parts, it will put ALOT of power to the rear wheels. I know I spent $5200 and have out launched And out pulled alot of manuels! I broke it in with 375hp/680tq its rated for 500/1000! Just put a 63/68/12 and a set of 5x.014's no dyno yet but I an very colse to 450/875 without a good tune on the AFC. NOW i'm breaken the tires loose!!!
June 5, 201411 yr Author AS far as looking for a donor truck, the manual is the same? Doesn't matter if it's in V8, V10, or another Diesel? HO 0r not? How about the PCM? Somewhere down the line I'm thinking, the Wife gave me her blessing on this one as well, she likes to drive stick as much as I do! Thanks, Dave
June 5, 201411 yr your pcm currently runs your auto trans... and simply unhooking it will cause 'check engine' light to come on.. As far as the actual transmission, an NV 5600 is an NV5600..ok, make sure it's for your configuration ie 2 or 4wd.. BUT, the bellhousing is different on the small gasser versions. V10's and diesel bells are the same, but make sure you get a diesel flywheel. These engines are balanced differently. (internally vs. externally) I'd recommend you finding a ~2001.5 and newer nv5600, They'll have a 1 3/8ths input, and better synchronizer rings. (finding the old style ring has been hard, almost have to retrofit the whole trans for a rebuild then.) might as well start with something that has parts fairly plentiful. edit; make that ~ 2000.5 on the larger input size. 7/11/00 SUPPOSED to be the split date Edited June 5, 201411 yr by rancherman
June 5, 201411 yr Author V8 trucks have different bell housings, etc. Need a V10 or diesel donar. Thanks for that info good to know that, but is the NV5600 the same mo matter what it's behind?
June 5, 201411 yr only differences will be if they are configured for 2 or 4 wd, (output/tailhousing) and if they have either the 1.25 or 1.375" input So, I guess that's kinda when the HO engines came out too.. and the larger input shaft upgrades. 5600's need the wide crossmember, yours will have the narrow one. 4500's will work either way, as long as the rubber mount is the correct one Now, I almost forgot, you may have to change your input gear on your TC, to go from auto to the manual. Not a tuffy, but chances are, if you find a donor, or a 'kit' offered by someone who is parting out a truck, just snare the whole assembly, tc and all. Plus, If you want to get rid of your column shifter, and make it look correct, You'll need the column too... ugg, more crap to swap! If you really want to do it up.. then there's the dash too (PRNDL)
June 5, 201411 yr Author your pcm currently runs your auto trans... and simply unhooking it will cause 'check engine' light to come on.. As far as the actual transmission, an NV 5600 is an NV5600..ok, make sure it's for your configuration ie 2 or 4wd.. BUT, the bellhousing is different on the small gasser versions. V10's and diesel bells are the same, but make sure you get a diesel flywheel. These engines are balanced differently. (internally vs. externally) I'd recommend you finding a ~2001.5 and newer nv5600, They'll have a 1 3/8ths input, and better synchronizer rings. (finding the old style ring has been hard, almost have to retrofit the whole trans for a rebuild then.) might as well start with something that has parts fairly plentiful. edit; make that ~ 2000.5 on the larger input size. 7/11/00 SUPPOSED to be the split date So it's not really a simple swap then is it? Lots of factors that one has to be aware of, thanks for the enjoyable read & info!
June 5, 201411 yr well, yes and no.. I consider an 'easy' swap, in which case old parts are unbolted, and the new desired parts bolt right into place.. 'hard' is where I consider you have to do fabrication/cutting/welding/rewiring... in order to stuff something into where it was never intended...
June 6, 201411 yr Author Well, many variables to make it all pull together nicely. it could easily turn into a winter project w/o a donor vehicle, even still!!!! I've had a few manuals out for clutches & stuff but never a swap from auto to stick on a so called simple/easy one. It would be nice to have a friend close by if I did do one myself. I wonder if I could find the swap on YouTube maybe? Thanks guys, a 12V 98 5-speed would be the bomb!
June 6, 201411 yr Well, many variables to make it all pull together nicely. it could easily turn into a winter project w/o a donor vehicle, even still!!!! I've had a few manuals out for clutches & stuff but never a swap from auto to stick on a so called simple/easy one. It would be nice to have a friend close by if I did do one myself. I wonder if I could find the swap on YouTube maybe? Thanks guys, a 12V 98 5-speed would be the bomb! I thought you were thinking 6 speed, no matter, It's still the same swap.. just have to get the right parts.. a donor sure comes in handy! If you bugger anything up on the dismantling of the donor, you'll know what NOT TO DO when the wrenches attack the 'good' truck!! One thing for sure, you'll LEARN a LOT about your rig during this process! I did a quick search on ebay and searchtempest, and there were only a couple of guys wanting to TRADE their autos, for manuals.. nothing today for a 'swap setup'.. That can change pretty fast! keep your eye out. Check your boneyards especially the smaller mom and pop type, They tend to 'have time' for our type of requests You could go ahead and upgrade the 4500 whilst it's awaiting it's new home home; large input shaft, and one of the 5th gear nut fixes
June 7, 201411 yr A 6-spped may be on it's way for me from a 2001! And there ya go! Let the games begin! There's several threads on this matter on CF, a lot with pics too. Once you get past their BS of 'why' or 'why not' of this project, you may actually get some info! (that's why I like www.mopar1973man.com ) I had in my mind to go 6 speed the whole time on my project truck, but didn't limit it to the NV5600... a G56 would've worked fine too. I waited until I found a fairly close one, and for a good price. I ended up with a NV5600 for 450 bucks, needing seals. It was actually cheaper than a core, so if I do have to abandon it, (something catastrophic inside) I'll be ahead of the game. I was told by my local salvage guy, he'll allow 600 on this trans, and would sell me a g56 for $1600 ..........1600 bucks towards repairing the nv5600 about covers the bearings, syncros, and seals.... Good luck, I fully plan on 'abusing' my welcome here LOL, with pics and build-notes on my Ram amalgamation.. So let's see who 'gets er done first'
June 10, 201411 yr Author Cool, let the games begin! So would you please explain NV5600 & a G56. Mine is from a 2001, so what would that be? Someone mentoned to get that year because of the input shafts being larger
June 10, 201411 yr g56 was introduced to replace the nv5600.. New venture went belly up. (ummm, 'they had problems') This was also the time when Mercedes owned Chrysler... So This Mercedes designed, Brazilian built trans was put into play.. The g56 is still 6 speed, the ratios are dang near the same as the New Venture.... And the G56 has been used in tons of commercial trucks around the world... It uses a straighter cut gear, which is noisier, but doesn't put as much lateral pressure on the case.. (which is aluminum btw) It's a perfectly fine trans for what our trucks are designed for, it's when the trucks are attached to a set of drag slicks, a pulling sled, etc, is when things get goofy. Nv's have problems with lubrication, bearings will seize, syncros prematurely go out... '56s the gears are a little whiney, the trans 'chirps' in neutral, and the case will bust under extreme usage.. There are 'fixes' for both. As far as the larger input.... Your 2001 should have it 1 3/8ths inch is what the splined area will measure.... Yours will also have the better quality synchronizers too. This is good, because that is all that is available for rebuilding this NV. The old style is 'gone'. You'd have to upgrade the whole trans to newer specs in order to 'rebuild' 1999 up to about mid year 2000, they had 1.25 inch input
July 5, 201410 yr Author Thanks for getting me up to speed on the 6speeds Rancherman. What should I use as far as fluid? I don't know yet if it's been changed. Thnx, Dave
July 5, 201410 yr Change it now. LOL Our 6 speeds run hot.. and oxidation (cooking of the oil) breaks it down. THE most recommended is the MOPAR trans fluid. This is for the operator that follows the recommended change interval... It's pricey, but what isn't these days??? Now, on the other hand I've read tons of posts on CF about guys running various alternatives; Pennzoil, amzoil, all the major oil companies have some sort of synthetic gear lube available....plus many I've surely missed. One thing is common in these "non mopar" oils... and that is to change it more frequently. Since I'm about 100 miles from a dealer, I've begun to run Delo gear lube, about 50% 50wt. and 50% 15w40, just because I'm close to a vendor. These are synthetic gear lubes, NOT engine oil! I plan on changing out the fluids yearly.. regardless of miles. It may pay dividends to do the same with Mopar fluid too! When I replaced my last nv5600, I got it from an outfit from Memphis Tenn. They raised the fill plug a couple inches for better lubrication. Some guys will take the shifter off to do the same thing. (that's a lot of screwing around to add an additional 2 quarts!) It may be easier to jack up one side of the truck, or find a steep bank to park the truck on to overfill the trans. I just thought of a trick that may work: screw in a street L, pointed up, in place of the fill plug. The added height will give you an additional 2 inches of oil, Just keep adding oil until it wont flow away, and put a plug in the top of the street L. A street 'L' is just a simple 90 degree pipe coupler, with male threads on 1 end(part that screws into the trans) and female threads on the other (where the plug would go) The additional oil helps keep the trans cooler, and takes more to break down the oil that is there... plus keeping that input needle bearings totally lubed is the main culprit In our 6 speeds. In 'normal' non od trans, most miles are in 'high'.... or straight through. Everything is turning at the same speed, along the mainshaft. Now, on OD type trans, most miles are still in 'high', but this time, the small needle bearings in the input shaft are forced to turn.... and turn very fast they do! This is where extra oil comes in handy! My old 5600 had the input shaft welded so badly to the main shaft, they had to torch it in 2 to get it out... Edited July 5, 201410 yr by rancherman
July 6, 201410 yr Author Excellent advice Rancherman, how many quarts should I buy? Street L, I like that idea, 3/8 or 1/2 inch pipe? Hope it's not metric. Thanks, Dave
July 7, 201410 yr factory specs are 4.75 quarts. I'm putting a full 6 in with the raised fill port You'll easily get 5 in by parking on a tilt, without any modifications
Hi All,
So what do you think, would this be the best Dodge Cummins to own?
Why?
Why not?
I have a 98.5, missed it by this much!
Just want your opinion,
Dave