48RE to 5600

[Don-T]

I am trying to decide between upgrading my 48RE with an ATS transmission or installing a manual transmission. My 48RE is beginning to give me trouble and I would rather drive a manual. Does anyone know how much of the electronics and wiring would need to be changed to install a manual transmission in place of an automatic. I don’t think there is much to the clutch system or the transmission itself if the output shaft is the same size as the 48RE. I can’t imagine that installing the shifter would be a big deal either.

 

[swexlin]

Do some calculations on how much you stand to lose by trading your '04 in on a new truck, vs. the time, money, and aggravation you will spend on the conversion.



Probably easier, and the same or LESS money to go for the new truck, PLUS, you'll have warranty.

 

[daytripper63]

Either way the price probably wont be much difference

 

[John - K5AWO]

I recommend trading the truck for all of the previous reasons. Resale on your truck will be hurt if you do the transmission swap as it won't be original equipment. Plus, the warranty of the truck will be zilch...

 

[Don-T]

Trading the truck is not an option, I have put too much work into it for that. I have no warrantee on the truck now so that does not matter. I don’t care about trade in values either, the truck won’t be worth anything when I let it go anyway. I just want to know how much of the electronics need to be changed so that I can decide how I want to fix the transmission. Thanks for the help.

 

[thejeepdude]

One thing's for sure... the ATS upgrades, as expensive as they are, will end up being cheaper than the swap. Plus, I think once you drive a modified 48RE, you might not have such stick-envy.

 

[Don-T]

thejeepdude

I am hoping you are right about the ATS transmission. I have learned to trust manual transmissions over the years. I think the cost of the clutch, shifter, and transmission may not be too much higher than the ATS transmission but I think the electronics would be too much. I am concerned with the ATS transmission over the long run. The combined weight of my truck and camper is about 21k and I am planning on getting a heavier camper in a couple of years. I don’t mind spending money up front if I am reasonably sure about it holding up for the long run.

 

[thejeepdude]

Have you talked to all the transmission companies? For heavy towing and longevity I prefer DTT but I don't want to start that war in this thread. I just want to make sure you've talked to them all and made your decision based on how they answered your questions rather than just taking everyone's word for it on here.

 

[EBottema]

Geez, this guy asks a simple question and he gets a bunch of oooohh no your not gonna wanna do that. I'm sure you wouldnt need to change much electronics, might get lucky and pull the plug from the main comp... there might be more... if i can find anything out, otherwise someone with a 3rd gen might be more help!

 

[thejeepdude]

Geez, this guy asks a simple question and he gets a bunch of oooohh no your not gonna wanna do that.

So an answer is only valid if it agrees with the original idea? It would cost too much to make an auto a manual, unless you did it in a cheap-azz way. All the "little" things like the steering column, dash/floor mods, linkages, electronics, cruise control, driveshafts, etc willl cost as much as the transmission itself. It would be easier to sell/trade or beef up the auto. But yes, anything is possible... no one denied that.

 

[John - K5AWO]

In the "for what's it worth" department. I just installed a Mopar Performance ECM for a manual transmission 2000 truck in my '98. 5 auto-transmission rig.



Everything works great, and I got a decided low end boost and better performance overall.



So, the ECM don't care if you have manual or auto. That much of the electronics won't be in the picture so you can scratch that from your "worry list"



If you can find a totaled out truck with a decent manual drive line in it, the swap shouldn't get too expensive. The complete truck would probably be cheaper than trying to buy components separately.

 

[WPeschel]

John - K5AWO You do have a good idea about trying to buy a donor truck... He could buy probaly for under 10,000. 000 or around that. take what he needs then part it out via engine, tail lights tailgate wheels glass engine window motors seats, he might even come out on that deal even better than expected... good luck DON-T let us know what you do and how the install goes... . Wesley