dieselfuelonly

Ok... here is whats going on. I love my automatic, its a great trans, but to be completely honest I've always wanted a 5spd in my truck since the day I bought it. When the stock automatic blew on it, I should have thought it out more and done the swap then, but I didn't. My parents were going through a divorce then, and my truck was something that kept my mind off of a lot of that then and I really wanted to be able to just get in and go for a drive a lot of the time.

Phil (McMopar) did an awesome job on the transmission. He was extremely helpful with everything and has gone above and beyond my expectations on more than one account, especially lately when I need some adjustments to be made. So this isn't me not being happy with his work, PLEASE don't take it that way, I just like shifting gears, thats all. Theres something about that simplicity and control that really appeals to me.

My dad drives the 2500. Its still stock and slow. He has always been very hesitant about anything above stock, but has recently shown some interest in it. He hates shifting gears, swears he will never own another manual, and we discussed having him buy my automatic from me and putting it in his truck, and then me doing a 5spd swap on my truck. His truck is currently an automatic, so it would just be a matter of taking the stock auto out of his, and putting my auto into his truck. I know my dad would love the automatic, as it would give him a chance to bump up the power on the 2500 some, and make it a lot more fun to drive, especially with the 4.10 gears. Then he would sell his stock automatic, its in great shape and has never been bashed, the power on the 2500 is still stock. I'm guessing its worth about $700-$800?

The automatic in my dually has around 10,000 miles on a fresh rebuild, a Goerend Single Disk Low Stall TC, and a Goerend High Pressure Valve Body if that helps at all with deciding how much its worth.

So then that leaves me without a transmission in my truck. So I would need to find a NV4500 somewhere. And all the parts necessary to do the swap.

I have been talking with Box5 about his swap and he has been nice enough to give me an idea about what all is involved.

So this is what I am asking you all:

Can you give me an idea about some prices, such as:

How much the automatic in my my 3500 is worth.

How much the stock automatic in the 2500 is worth.

How much the parts for a 5spd swap are going to run.

Any ideas on a good place to find a NV4500 in NC?

Am I crazy for wanting to do this? Shifting gears really isn't an issue for me... now anyway. When I'm my dads age I'm sure I will understand .

Just on a side note, buying a wrecked truck and getting the parts I need for the swap, and then parting out the rest of the truck is just not an option for me. I don't have the funds or time to do that right now.

Anyway, thanks for some insight!

Dennis

Sorry mods if this should be in the Engine and Drivetrain section, since it deals with so many different things I'm really not sure where to put it .

dieselman2300

Build the Auto. youll be happier in the long run.

logskidder

I completed a 5spd swap a few months ago and had about $2500 in parts.

wcbcruzer

Have you ever had a vehicle with a manual? I agree it's a better type of tranny but it gets old. I went from a 5 spd to an auto. I feel like 5 gears is not enough for these trucks.

Valv

How about going 6 speed ? Much better transmission, perfect for a 3500 unlimited towing capabilities.

I have a complete setup for sale at $ 2600 (check classifieds) all you need are the pedals and the clutch master/slave cylinders

I did it on my truck and went from 5 speed to 6 speed and cannot be any happier.

dieselfuelonly

The auto is already built (a little bit), and its great, but like I said I would just like a 5spd. I have driven a vehicle with a manual trans before. The 6 speed would be nice, but isn't it more expensive, and parts harder to come by, and when you need them more expensive?

Box5

my reccomendation would be drive a 5spd cummins if u can somehow. I like my 5spd swap alot, of course theres times a auto would be easier but I like shifting so its all about preference. And with ur 3.5 gears it will be better than my 4.10's.

dieselman2300

The NV5600 is a worse choice IMO. Parts are VERY expensive and hard to find, considering this tranny is newer than the NV4500. And besides, your not getting an extra gear for overdrive, your getting an extra gear between 3rd and 4th.
The only plus to a NV5600 is you dont have the 5th gear nut problem. But then again there are fixes to that.

I just dont like my 5sp. because an auto. will shift faster at the track.

I think manuals are more suited for stock to alittle bit extra horsepower and thats all.

logskidder

I say drive a 5spd for a while to be sure thats what you want....I wish I had kept mine auto. I would sell the whole conversion for what I have into it, if your interested.

Mcmopar

Dennis,

Call me sometime, we can talk about the swap. Your tranny is worth more than you paid for it!! Swap it into Dad's truck and if you REALLY want the manual go to a 5 speed. There are reasons I say that, we can discuss when you call.

Valv

I disagree strongly. I have a 5 speed and a 6 speed mainly stock trucks. The 6 speed is smoother, tows better, shifts better, larger clutch and flywheel, and it does not SLIP, unless you seriously bomb the truck !!! The 5 speed truck (my second one with NV4500) slips on heavy tows, is not as good in mileage and it's rated way less as torque and HP.
Why didn't they offer the 5 speed on 3rd gen ? Because input shafts snaps, 5the gear gets off, syncros go to heck, clutch doesn't hold etc.

They had few parts for NV5600 few years ago, nowadays they are available as much as NV4500, in fact a good rebuilder nearby has plenty of them in stock.

I am selling my 5 sp for these reasons, and with the 6 speed install option.

Box5

the more I think about it, the 5spd willl wear off on u, and u'll want ur auto back. So think hard and drive a 5spd truck before making a decision.

KVD

I'm like you, I have an auto truck and I want a straight shift but I'm gonna buy a whole different truck (there are other reasons for that too). I have thought buyin an auto truck and swapin in the 5 speed cause the autos are every where and a lot cheaper.

Reasons I want a 5 speed,

Cost less to upgrade

Cost less to rebuild (5 speed)

If you slip the clutch in a straight shift your really not hurtin anything. you slipa auto very much, it gets real pricey

I can work on it myself

It's a alot more fun

Why do you think used straight trucks go for more than autos, people want them or at least around here, it's hard to even sale an auto and I'm havin a hard time with that right now.

Adam3291

Dennis, finish the auto out with billet shafts, you will have no problem getting that 2wd dually to hook up on the drag strip.

strokerace

Why does everybody like autos so much?????????? I hear everybody say how they are so much better on the track, drag strip, blah blah, blah.
Not everybody wants a truck for the track. I use mine to drive back and forth to school through the week and around the farm to pull trailers on the weekends. I love my 5 spd and wouldnt even consider an auto, I like the simplicity of my manual and I like to be in control of what my trucks doing. I used to have an auto powerjoke and hated that thing, its just all in what you like, if he wants a manual he wants a manual thats all there is to it. Some people dont mind shiftin gears, it doesnt bother me at all. Thats just my opinion, take it for what you will. Good luck with the swap