CVR222NV
TDR MEMBER
I special ordered my truck from Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, Idaho and with the exception of the sun roof it was a loaded Laramie model as you see in my signature. I asked that the truck have the manual shift transfer case but was told that I could not get a Laramie model with the manual shift and a 6 speed (G56) transmission. Imagine my surprise when I found the truck below on CL! A 2006 Laramie model with a 6 speed and manual shift transfer case! My transfer case is the Model 273D manufactured by New Process Gear as shown on the round metal tag attached to the transfer case. My research indicates that the manual shift transfer case is a Model 271D. Why do I care you ask? For the second time my electronic shift is not working. The transfer case will not come out of 4WD high. I was able to get it into 4WD low and back to 4WD high once but have not tried that since as I was worried I would not be able to get it out of 4WD low. Very frustrating. I am fortunately able to drive because I have a free spin kit and can unlock the hubs. I am seriously considering converting from the 273D to the 271D transfer case. I have not been able to find anything on this Forum where someone has done this conversion. Other than switching from the 273D to the 271D case the only thing I can see different is the wiring harness. My current harness comes from the engine compartment and goes to a sensor on the top back of the G56 transmission and also to the shift motor. It looks like the wiring harness for the 271D is similar but instead of having a plug for the shift motor it has a different plug for a sensor that apparently lets you know what mode the transfer case is in on the dash. A limited search is indicating that these wiring harnesses are possibly no longer available. Assuming I can source a used wiring harness my question is how feasible would it be to do this conversion? Access for the shifter already exists and has just been covered and a rubber storage popped in its place. One open question is whether anything needs to be done on the ECM? I'm interested in your thoughts.