I have an 03 5.9 with an 48re that is built up tough with ATS parts. Runs perfectly and has never given me an issue. Its the truck of my dreams and I have had it since 2007. Laramie all white body and bumpers. powdercoated the rims black and kept chrome centercaps. on 35 toyo mt's. Got my rack and toolbox bed is rhino lined. AEM intake, 4 inch through diamond muffler with dual 5 inch tips(might swap to 4 inch straight pipe) and a smarty jr. Don Thuren suspension including his rear leafs, front springs, adjustable track bar, and dual heim solid sway bar end links all on bilstein 5100 shocks. Everything is perfect for......but I cant resist it any longer! i need a manual! With the power im putting out a G56 should be more than fine and I have no plans to make more. I have read all the endless 4500 vs 5600 vs g56 threads and im tired of reading the same thing over and over. I tow just a bit, goose around town, get after it on the backroadsm and drive cross country once in a while so I dont feel the 5600 is the best choice. The question......try and buy the conversion piece by piece(which my shop told me would be 9 grand at least), buy a salvaged donor truck, or sell my BABY and try and somehow find a laramie 6 speed 5.9 that someone would want to part with (IMPOSSIBLE). Im open to all suggestions

 

window visors all cracked and no bumper from proline fab in prineville OR yet but this is her

 

Keep your truck. No way can it be $9000 to buy the parts? Unless your paying them to convert?? Just a question.... Why not run a heavy built auto? Don't get me wrong, I love my 6 speed. But keep your truck. It means that much to you, fix it how you want it.

 

Just re-read that you have a ATS trans, that giving you an issue? Or you just wanting to bang gears? If no issue....maybe you could sell it to help cover the swap?

 

It is ats. Just want to bang gears. Never an issue with it. Have no idea how much it could be sold for

 

Is the truck paid for? I would just sell the tranny to a good shop and convert it. I would call georend and get a couple more quotes, there has to be a cheaper and reliable method.

 

Keep it, that's an awesome ride! Sounds like a case of "the grass is always greener..." to me. Just my opinion.

 

i cant sell her. i just talked to standard transmissions all morning. they have talked me into the nv4500 instead. much cheaper, will cruise at a good rpm on the highway, strong, no heating/lubrication issues and parts are easy to find. truck is completely paid for. I have no idea how much i could sell the auto tranny for. I think the extra material like pedals, column, shifter etc. is what raises the price. I have to do it though

 

If you have the time, go for a conversion, it will cost less overall and you are already familiar with your truck.

 

wow, if it works don't fix it...
I have over 240K on mine and rebuilt the AT at 130K. No issues and I pull a 40' 3-axle enclosed 5th wheel car trailer topping out at 12K#.
Why would anyone want to change out a ATS anyway... those are awesome. If I had a manual to trade you I'd do it in a heartbeat... but I dont.

 

The most obvious answer would be that different people like different things? It is a great tranny I just like manuals for many reasons

 

borrow a buddies truck with manual,

take it to the nearest large city, drive it around town 6-8 hrs a day for a few days.

then come home and think about that manual with heavy clutch petal.

if you still want a manual, then go for it.

but, be sure before you jump!!!!!!

I sure enjoy my old dodge diesel with auto trans.

I had to drive a manual many years ago when 99% of trucks had manual trans.

 

have both

dodge auto, and dodge manual.. and both have their pros and cons... i personally love the auto for crusing around, but would love a six speed for towing.... my toy is a five speed and well... its hard to beat a manual from a roll.... why not keep your built auto? wish i had one in mine.. would probably make towing so much easier... and buy a toy on the side for those 9K?

 

Chances are he doesn't want a manual diesel truck just to drive around the city jammed with traffic.

That's like me trying to convince a Prius owner that his car sucks because it doesn't do well off-road.

 

thanks for all the input. i understand the point you are trying to make wellmax. this decision has been mulled over for about three years now so I have taken the time. Just trying to figure it out logistically. Buy a donor truck? buy a used manual and scrounge the rest of the parts? buy new trans and kit from standard? many ways to go about it. I would love to do a straight up auto for manual trade as long as the necessary components come with the manual.