fpr01

I've got the 47RE automatic transmission in my 2001 Dodge 3/4 ton truck. In hopefully the next year or two, I think I'd like to switch to a manual transmission, and I've been recommended both the 5 and 6 spds. Which is better in your experience? I probably will not be doing competition pulls-but I travel a TON and not expecting to slow down any time soon (unless fuel prices get too out of shape). I do pull though, and when I load it, its typically a heavy load.

Thanks a bunch!

Western Rammer

If you're doing any real amount of towing, you definitely want the 6 speed. The NV 4500 5 speed has a large ratio gap between a couple of the middle gears. (Third to fourth I think.) The NV 5600 splits those with another ratio.

Randy.

dodge2001

well...i can tell about my experiances with my NV4500...found out 3rd gear is the weak gear, you need to make sure you have the 5th gear upgrade or just tack weld the nut on there, if you plan on bomb'n your truck much it is highly recomended to upgrade the flywheel to a 13", and if you want to spend the $$$ upgrade the input shaft to the 1-3/8"...

yes there is a gap between the 3rd and 4th gear, but it's not that bad...oh, and you can pick up a NV4500 for alot less, and parts are easier to find...

raydi07

How tough is it to convert from an automatic to manual or even to an allison transmission?

dodge2001

well of course you'll need all the linkage and crap from a manual...the APPS is different on the manuals...driveshaft difference, all sorts of stuff...just find a doner truck and it'll make you life alot easier...

if you want an allison, go to destroked.com and you can find the info there...

used-kubota-man

I have the NV5600 in my truck. It's a pain in the butt to shift but an absolute beast, super heavy. It's worse when it's cold outside. The gears are very close together and you are not going to run an drag races with it. I like and recommend it with the above drawbacks.

RickCJ

I like the 6 speed better because of the closer gears. But after having a good DTT auto, I regret getting a 5 speed.
I was planing to keep this truck a long time but I'd rather have a good auto again.

Anyone have a nice newer 03-04 2500 with blown auto tranny want to trade for a 99 3500 5 speed? New 5 speed last week from Blumenthals.

brshhog

If you haven't already, check with ATS. I have a 47RE with a 5 star conv. and a co-pilot controller. the motor is putting out 1000 ft lbs of torque and have had no problems with the trans.
Doug

opiy2k

unless you do a lot of towing i would go with the nv4500 because you can pick one up on eBay for $1,000 for a rebuilt one and the six speeds are usually around 4-5k used. just my two cents

PaulDaisy

I tow with a 5-speed in the mountains and while the 3-to-4 gap is aggravating, it is not the end of the world. Acceleration in 4th is outstanding though.

Fullsizeyota

Ok this is just inaccurate... know what your talking about.

I just finished this swap litterally less than a week ago.. No apps change and what do you mean by "linkage and crap from a manual"?? what linkage? the shifter goes directly in the tranny and the t-case linkage has a sliding nut on it, un-do the nut and slide it down. a 3 minute job if you use only your teeth and no wrenches.


you need to cut a hole in your floor, and thats the hardest part.

everything else bolts in, yes, including the driveshaft. the entire nv4500 drivetrain is 3/4" of an inch shorter. I am running my 47re drive shaft.

The pedals slide in, the master bolts in, and the tranny bolts right in. Not a hard job. hell, the master and slave even come from dodge with fluid and bled for you.

I bought a new 29 spline input shaft for my transfercase, the auto is 23 spline, manual is 29.

I'm not trying to pick on you, but when i was researching the swap, people like you made finding info that much harder. i would rather have no info than conflicting stories.

dodge2001

ok mister rocket man....sorry i don't have a million posts on this site...you mean to tell me that you don't need a clutch pedal????? hmmm....that is the linkage crap i'm talk'n about...i never once said that the pedal assembly didn't just bolt in...just that you need a pedal assembly...you might need to learn how to reed before reply'n...

and YES i do know that the whole assembly is prebled from dodge...so excuse the crap out of me...i also know that dodge has poor quality master/slave assemblies as welll....oh and how do i know this...well maybe because i got one from the dealership and guess what rocket man...it had AIR ALL IN IT!! so what did i do....i took it back, got my $$$$ back, ordered the HD unit from Valair and guess wat....it works better and it doesn't have all the pre bent crap that the factory set up has!!

oh and also...look up the APPS for a manual and an auto...they are different part #'s......so don't sit there and tell me that there isn't a difference...do the research and tell me i'm wrong on that one!! oh wait...you can't...

as far as the drive shaft....if you want to do it right....IMO i'd change out the drive shaft....not half azz it....

one last thing....never said it was a hard thing to do...so get off you high horse...pull you head out of whatever it's stuck in and reed before you post stupid crap on here....

oh..you forgot about the 5th gear nut problem...and if you want to put alot fo HP to the ground that he might want to upgrade the input shaft to a 1-3/8"........and that 3rd gear is the weak gear in the tranny.....

oh not try'n to pick on you ...but don't call me a lier about a tranny that i have in my truck!!!! been there...blew it up....got a new one....got the T-shirt on order.

Fullsizeyota

ok, next time i'll "reed" your post better..

Even still clutch pedal slides in and the master hooks up, no linkage.

you have more posts than me so i dont know what your talking about.

rear shaft has over 3" still in the t-case, so i didn't half "azz" it.

Ok dude, you won. i called you out and you started crying like a little girl.

SIXSLUG

OK guys take it elsewhere, he wants info, not a battle.

fPro1, If you're gonna tow a lot the 6-speed is probably the better trans than the 5-speed, but get the later NV5600 with the larger input shaft.

As far as swapping goes if you are into wrenching you can do it, but a rebuilt auto trans from one of the trans shops that knows these trucks may be the way to go. A lot less hassle and no conversion.

BTW my rebuilt NV5600 was $2850 for the unit. Mine had been run with the wrong fluid or towed and was trashed so I had to get a new unit. It shifts way better than I thought they ever could!

Also, there are a lot of diesel trucks for sale right now you may be able to find what you are looking for and trade or get a good deal and save all the work of swapping to what's already available.

Just some thoughts, Kurt