Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 96 6-speed

[SMorneau]

Well I finally got my 96 converted to an 03 6-speed and I would do it again in a minute. Its got the 13" SB- OFE clutch and it all works great.



Mike's Custom Trucks, Of Northwood, ND, did the complete conversion and I highly recommend them to anybody who needs work of any kind done on a truck, or anything.



They did the driveshaft work, re-engineered the Blumenthals conversion kit, swapped my old style cross member for a new style one from a truck they had on the lot, and in general took everything confidently in stride as they totally impressed me in everyway.



I got to work/hang with them during the entire operation and they showed me all of the cool stuff they have in the shop including a new Dynojet. These guys are not only good they are fun to be around. They charge less than 1/2 the labor rate of the big city guys around me.



I drove 5. 5 hrs one way to Mike's shop to have this work done and I will do it again. In fact, I have been there twice because the first transmission was defective. No problem Mike stands behind his work 100%. Usually, I like to watch the mechanics because I don't trust them... not with Mike and Scott these guys are the best and have many years of experience and a love of diesel pickups. When was the last time the guys working on your truck saw you frown a little and stopped to ask you what you were thinking or how you wanted it done?



If you are in the Grand Forks area you owe it to yourself to stop and make a new friend, or two, at Mikes.



Gee, can you tell these guys really impressed me?

 

[JohnE]

Time to update your signature/profile?



Did you ride the dyno this time?

 

[JJW_ND]

Great little shop on up here

I had the same experience when they did my headgasket last fall. I also Highly recommend them!



Worth the drive.



Like Scott said, they allowed me to stand over there shoulder, asking questions the entire time.



They have a well equipped shop (head resurfacer, driver shaft balancer, ... ) to complement the talents of Mike and Scott!



It is nice to have a shop like this within 200 miles.



jjw

ND

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by SMorneau

They re-engineered the Blumenthals conversion kit

What needed to be "re-engineered"?

 

[JohnE]

Bill;



Scott (the mechanic) had to reshape the transfer case shift lever to clear a brake controller mounted under the dash. As Scott (the customer) mentioned, the kit did not work with the 96 cross member. I don't remember the other issues.



I feel it is pretty lame getting a faulty transmission out of the crate. That wasn't Mike's or Blumenthal's fault, but New Venture.



Scott (the cutomer) inspired me to go out and get my auto updated. If he could lay down some serious cash on a manual swap to prevent future troubles, I felt it was time to update my auto before it decided to puke out in the middle of BF** (fill in the state or country abbreviation of your choice) with my family in the middle of a vacation.



How's the rowing , Scott?



-John

 

[SMorneau]

If you have the wider style cross member you should only have trouble with the transfer case relocating bracket and the clearance bertween the shifter and lower dash and the clearance betwee the two shift levers. In one case the bracket was modified with the aid of a plasma cutter and the transfer case lever was bent with the aid of a torch.



The exhaust mounting bracket, with the insert for the exhaust hanger rod, was installed on the second transmission but not the first. So the first time we cut off the old one and used it and the attached nut for the nut on top of the transmission mount. Then we rewelded the rod leaving room to slide everything forward in case a 16cm housing goes on in the future.



Other than that, the only real trouble we had was the wrong cross member.



After a week with this transmission I really like it



I can see where a higher reving 24V would really go well with the ratios. I can hardly wait to try my 12V 6-sp out with a load.

 

[JohnE]

...

I can see where a higher reving 24V would really go well with the ratios. ...

How about ... I can see where a higher reving 12V would really go well with the ratios.



We can easily make that happen. I think you drove JJW's truck.

 

[bramage]

Mike is A+++++. I would also let him work on anything with an engine. You will have to keep us posted on how that six speed is working. Do I dare ask, how much????



Jr.