Dave3500

I just tucked them up for now, I will zip tie. My truck usually sits in the garage & has never seen a winter.

The 5 speed would be just fine. For me not really sure I need all 6. I pretty much shift 2,4,6, when I'm taking it easy and not working the truck w a trailer. I did not make any changes w the ECM or PCM, I even have the auto steering column for the time being. I did not throw a check engine light or anything. So far so good! Dave.

The 5 speed would be just fine. For me not really sure I need all 6. I pretty much shift 2,4,6, when i'm taking it easy and not working the truck w a trailer.   I did not make any changes w the ECM or PCM, I even have the auto steering column for the time being. I did not throw a check engine light or anything. So far so good!   Dave. 

Sure a pic would be great. I agree, 6 speeds are awesome for towing. I was always concerned about the gear hunt. Apparently the auto problems in these trucks are taking these trucks out. I've been noticing them on Craigslist being parted out because of electrical issues associated w the auto trans. Most of them are rusted out trucks so doing a 6-speed swap would be a money pit thing. Dave

Great rancherman, thanks for the suggestions. I was concerned w the gears being so close to the side case. I dont need a temporary parking pawl thats for sure! Dave

I get no chatter or vibration w my setup. I can start off easy while towing or not, the clutch is as comfortable as my 4 cylinder Dodge Dakota 5-speed was. Just not quite used to where the shift pattern is, not 2nd nature to me yet! Dave

So the 40HP DAP's are working out good for you?

Seems like doing the 6-speed swap is helping me some. I'm letting the truck coast between shifts. The throws are alot longer & the H patterns are wider than I'm used to for right now, so I'm shifting a bit on the conservative side. Change is good, Dave

The guys at O'Rieley's thought mine could have been an APPS as well. The deal they were going to give me before I did the 6 speed swap was if that wasn't my problem bring it back for a full refund if that didn't work. Think the cost was like 138 bucks if I remember correctly. The best fix for me during all my troubles was the TC lockup switch, just cost me 5 bucks for a toggle switch & I had the wire. Dave

I asked the guys at my local diesel performance place, they said to use two (2) quarts of 80-90W.(May call the dealer just to be sure.) They also said that I don't need a temp gauge on a manual trans. Mine's a mechanical gauge that I have tucked out of the way, have the sensor, just need a bung! I'm going to hook the gauge back up, think you guys know what's up on this one! Dave

Thanks for the info, I agree, axles need love too. W that Dana 80, shes got a big ol' Butt. That's what makes my truck sexy! Dave

Joecool, I was able to use my original ECM. Now the only issue w my truck is the nut behind the steering wheel!   Since my fluid is updated in my trans, what should I run in the rear diff?   Thanks, Dave

I hope you have better luck w that than I did. Had mine rebuilt w an RV TC, all new sensors, thought I was set, WRONG, 4th gear hunt came w a vengeance this time! Bye bye 47RE. Guys I still have the trans temp gauge for my auto, where should the temp sensor go on the manual? Thanks for the words of wisdom guys, I won't be towing that heavy, but heat is the enemy here! Dave

The used 6 speed came w all the parts to convert, cost me $2,000. Went w a 13" South Bend single disc clutch. Was going to go w a 2 piece driveshaft, had it made, but was so out of balance that it was cheaper to go w a one piece 4" driveshaft. So the transmission was gone through, new 6th gear bearing & 6 1/2 quarts of syncro fluid.   Thanks for the 5th & 6 Speed comparison Michael. I was sort of hoping that 5 & 6 would be more OD like they do on the new Chrysler Automatics, but I'm more than happy w what I have! I will be careful w towing uphill in 6th. After driving w an auto truck all these years, I know the comfort zone for the truck. I drive my vehicles for longevity so I will heed you words of wisdom!   I totally recommend the auto to manual swap! Dave

Hi Cummins Mopar Fans, Just wanted to give an update on my auto to 6 speed swap. I couldn't be happier. First off, I had everyone on here giving me things to try over the last eight (8) years to help me get my automatic problems solved, gear hunt fix, something like 6 altenators, ground cleaning, let alone hundreds of hours researching trying to find a cure. I want to thank Whie98Lightning for suggesting a swap after he sent me a diagram for the TC lockup switch. Mine even wanted to hunt w the switch on. Like he told me & I agree, that (the switch) was the only thing I could do to keep driving the truck. Also, all the deap pedal issues are gone, the truck seems like it picked up 50HP, my turbo now lights at 1500 instead of 1700 RPM. I can shift when "I" want to hold the truck at the best gear for any situation. Yesterday I sold my Dad's 57 Chevy 1/2 ton & delivered it on a car hauer w no issues, that's a first, I would usually have at least a gear hunt or dead pedal issue of some sort. Now I can tow in OD w/o worrying about killing the 47RE. Yippie! Seems like my fuel mileage is up a little as well. 6 in a row & 6 on the flow, Dave

Now my gauge is past 17 & goes down to 16 while cruising, I dont get it!

I was having the same issues. Had the Trans rebuilt w all new solenoids, RV TC. Was fine for about a year, started all over again pulling a light camping trailer from a vacation 600 miles from home. I spent about 6 weeks trying to figure it out, no luck. Took it to a new diesel performance place in town, he just took a 6 speed manual out of a 2001, my lucky day, I didn't look back. No more issues, the truck seemed like it gained 60HP w the 6 speed. I love it, Dave

I like it, please show us the finished product!

Is this just a 4x4 problem?

Wow, thanks for educating me, Dave

So if I watched craigslist what do I search for it as Dodge bumper, ranch hand bumper? Dave

I know, like Rodney Dangerfield, take my Wife, please! Can't wait to check out your new & improved prototype. Are you going to try to sell the VE setup or make a kit for installing a 351VE! Thanks, Dave

How loud is a raptor supposed to be?

Do you at last have the nuts & bolts labeled in little baggies? Move forward my friend, Dave