Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 5spd to auto conversion

[PARTSMANAL]

I have a 98 12v 5spd I just bought, I love everything about the truck except the 5 spd. I am thinking maybe of converting to an auto. A couple of guys have them in the classifieds. One is a 94 which should be a 47rh. Does this trans require any electronics

at all or is it all mechanical? Would I need a TPS and the wiring?

I know it would be easier to buy one with an auto but 98 12v

are rare, and for what I would lose just in sales tax I could do it.

Any thoughts pro or con and anything major I am missing?

I know it would take awhile to put all the parts together, and I am in no hurry. I have access to a good transmission man and could rebuild and upgrade all the weak points on the used tran.

Thanks

 

[Extreme1]

I think your best bet would be to find a donor truck (or someone who wanted a 5 speed) and swap parts. If the donor as a junker, you could sell your parts.



You will need the PCM, harness, TPS, coolers lines, steering column, brake pedal, etc. from the auto truck.



A '94-95 rh is manual for 1-2-3 only. The shift to O/D and the T/C lock up are controled by the PCM. I would recommend that if you do this that you stay with the right vintage parts. If there are any glitches with the appearance (lack of shift indicator for example) it will kill the resale.

 

[BWilson]

I have seen a ton of people who wanted to go the other way. Maybe your best bet would be to do a little searching for them instead.



BTW I would stick with the manual anyway, more pulling power and after a few Bombs you don't have to shift all that much anyway! My . 02 worth.

 

[AWray]

Dude, unless you hate shifting, the manual is the way to go. You can bomb the motor to he!! and only spend $1000 on a top notch clutch. I have owned both a manual and an auto. My current ride is an auto w/ an ATS Stage IV and it is great, but it cost nearly $4000 installed. For the dollar and the reliability, the manual is best.

 

[LeeNH]

Has anyone here installed an automatic transmission from a medium duty truck? I don't know hot the floor pan would clear, but cross member and driveshaft is no big deal..... someone must have done a swap.

Thats what I would like, I would prefer an auto but the 47 would not last long at all with my weight.

Anyone?

 

[bluthndr]

Too bad you're so far away... I have a "98" 12v auto, and I'd consider doing something like that...

 

[SBrandon]

I also would be willing to swap my auto for your manual.

 

[PARTSMANAL]

Thanks to all who replied to this post, but I think I will just live with the 5spd for now. After laying on my back in the garage looking at it I decided I'm getting too old for that stuff!

Thanks again.

 

[DHorstman]

I'd be all for a swap too, wish I could have found a 5speed truck.

 

[pwknapp]

Do a search. I think cuminsgetme and Strick-9 did a swap a year or two ago and reported on it on the forums.

 

[SBrandon]

Originally posted by DHorstman

I'd be all for a swap too, wish I could have found a 5speed truck.

You didnt take your truck to first trans to get rebuildt did you?

 

[DHorstman]

As far as I know this trans is all original with 150K on it. Still shifts pretty good.