I keep runnin across people refering to a conversion from a 5 to 6 speed on there trucks. can anyone tell me details on what it takes to do this and what kind of benefits does it really have. I am looking for this info for a 99 5 speed manual.

 

I have looked for years and unless the price drops or you have very large pockets it is not really worth it. That is unless you pull for a living. Then it might work out to your advantage. I think I priced the kit for around 3500.that is w/o the flywheel and clutch and I think the crossmember also.<br>DM01

 

Just converted my 98.5 3500 from a 5 to a 6 speed. The swap is pretty simple and I believe is well worth the cost. I never liked the large rpm drop from 2nd to 3rd. Even installed a GV overdrive, but it would not develop enough hydraulic pressure to shift in 2nd gear. This would have been an ideal ratio but it only worked from 3rd on up. I bought my NV5600 from Blumentals in Ok. City. Bought it through my business with a good discount but don't know what they normally sell for. I also bought an installation kit but it included a lot of parts that were not needed. The 5 and 6speed use the same rear yolk, are the same length and it pretty well a bolt in deal. I purchased the one with the small input shaft so the original clutch would work (Just replaced). The only extra parts needed are a rear support plate or new mount, pigtail for the backup light switch and the 6 speed shift pattern that will fit your ****. I read where someone bought a $49 rear mount but you can get the plate to adapt your old mount to the tranny. The crossmember already had the extra slots for the 6 speed so I know yours will. I think most of the ones changing are buying the newer style and they have to change flywheel, clutch and everything. My truck runs and pulls heavy loads pretty well but I didn't think it was worth the difference, don't believe it has enough to break the input shaft! If you have any more questions, let me know.

 

Kennys<br>Do you happen to have the part # and/or the year of truck the 6sp was for?<br>Ruadh

 

Kennys you said that the five speed and the six speed are the same length ?? The six speed that I purchased is several inches longer then the nv4500. Mine is a 4wd so you may have a tail housing that is longer on the nv4500.

 

can I get some prices with just the tranny with the big imput shaft.<br><br>and some prices with the whole kit.<br>thanks DM01

 

I converted my '98.5 4x4 using a 2002 6speed from a wrecked truck and wouldn't go back to the 5speed. There is a guy near where I live that has a 2001 6 speed priced at $1,500 exchange. It came from a wrecked 2500 4x4. New NV5600's seem to be $2,800 and up. Salvage yards ask $2,000 up in our area. Your can use your stock flywheel and pressure plate if you like but would have to buy a clutch disc with a 1 3/8&quot; hub (South Bend has them). I got a 6 speed flywheel but ended up purchasing a Mitchell dual disc sled pulling clutch that uses a modified 5 speed flywheel. There are not many conversion parts needed, shorten your rear driveshaft approx 6&quot; and lenghten the front about the same. Lengthen transfer case shift rod and backup light wires. Tranny mount worked in holes already there. Later model five speed shifters will interchange. Easy swap. Larry

 

Check E bay, I got one for $1011. They come up every once in a while. Mine is the 1 3/8 shaft with just over 10,000 miles on it. I will put the SBC 13&quot; clutch in it. Have not installed it yet.

 

A good sorce for this conversion and all parts needed to do the job is Blumenthals at 1-888-236-4800 ask for Don or Monty.

Hope this helps

Peter

 

There is a company offering the whole kit now, transmission, cross member and all for $3200. It was posted on here a while back and I went and looked. Looks like a real nice set up. The rear drive shaft has to be shortened and the front one lengthened. I am considering this if mine goes out. I don't have the site here but have it at home. If you are interested, send me a PM and I will forward the site to you when I get home this evening. It is on here somewhere but I can't remember where.

 

Don't know the number for the NV5600 that I bought from Blumenthals but can check the paperwork. I dealt with Keith. Only problem I had was that I bought the installation kit and it had parts that were not needed. It contained a new shift lever and **** that were exactly the same as the 5 speed. Mine is a 2wd version and the two trans. are identical lengths. The 4wd is totally different. There was a very good article in the last issue I received from TDR that covered every detail on the 4X4. Anyway, I really like the 6 speed. It was very hard shifting at first but is getting better. It is expensive but a lot cheaper than a new truck; I really like my old 98.5 with 194,000 on it. Put in a set of 375 injectors this weekend and it really runs great.

 

This is an old thread I started back when I first got curious about doin this, now my 5 speed tranny is dead and I'm lookin more serious at it. Just checking to see if there are any new developments out there. I'l probably just get a rebuilt from a junk yard rather than a kit, but I'm up for any suggestions. I already have the larger clutch in this thing, is it compatible with the 6 speed.

 

The biggest reason I am converting mine is the 5-speed breaks when you tow heavy in O/D, which I do a lot. (13,000) And the ratio from 2 to 3 is too far apart to keep your momentum up, especially going uphill. The complete kit with flywheel/SBC clutch is a little pricey, but in the long run it's worth it I think. And yes, in a 4X4 you have to modify the drivelines.

Tom

2001.5 2500 4X4 5-Speed Laramie SLT LB Quad Cab. Black. DD TTPM, DD Stage-1 Injectors, AFE, Bully Dog 4" Exhaust, ATS 3-Piece manifold, Geno's Banjo's, 3 Autometer's on the A-Pillar, Silencer Ring MIA,
6-Speed/caTCHER ECM soon!!!

 

Here is another company that has a kit.

http://www.quad4x4.com/NV5600.htm

 

I know there is a differance in length between the 2/wd and the 4/wd 6 sp, but where is the diff? Is it in the tranny case itself or the extension housing? Is there a differance in the gears inside? I tried to find info on New Venders web site, but they don't list transmissions at all.