Any tips for switching trasmissions?

[cumminsgetme]

SLewis and I will be switching transmissions with in the next month. I'll be trading my 5spd for his automatic. I think the install will be very clean and save us both a bunch of money. Does anyone have tips, shortcuts, or anything that might make life easier?



-Cord

 

[JConley]

From the info I got, you have to replace a TON of parts to include the wiring harness, ECM, and it makes a difference what month the truck was made in order to get the correct wiring harness. I asked the guys at ATS about this, and they stated that one of there customers went to Chrysler and bought everything needed to do the upgrade using all new factory parts to include a steering colum. Even with all the new parts from Chrysler, they still had problems.



The only tip I can give (based on my limited experience and listening to stories) to save you time, and make your life easier is to buy another truck with an auto. I know you will have a good time doing this, so have fun, and good luck!

 

[illflem]

Cord, there was a thread here in the last month with the person midway though the switch looking for advice. Sounded like a real hassle. Try a search for it.

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

I don't really see what parts we could be missing, our trucks are identical, except Cords is a 94, mine is a 95. Seems to me the only parts we would need is the ones that might get broke taking them off, hopefully that will not happen. We will have 5 people there helping out, with everyone being pretty mechanically inclined, so I think it will go well, but if there is anything we need to watch out for, fill us in, I'm always open to good advice.



Willie

 

[Strick-9]

5 people?

 

[NVR FNSH]

Originally posted by Strick-9

5 people?

5 times the likelihood that something will go wrong Which one is named Murphy?



Brian

 

[pwknapp]

I don't know Chris, You just don't weigh enough to count as two!

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Fellow TDR member NeedMoPower is suppost to go with me for the swap, and another buddy of mine wants to help out also, so I figure 5 people. I figure I'll just be in the way more than anything though, so you could just say 4 people I guess

 

[DHRA]

Good luck

make sure you switch the cross member transmission mounts, the auto has a taller mount than the manuals. switch the wiring harnesses along with the PCMs. Have lot's of Patience. But most of the worst things come from not have the right drive shafts, TC parts, shifters, etc. All of the things you have. But you can bet my Irish buddy Murphy will be there!

 

[Koa Man]

Looking at the signatures, I don't think the auto is going to last very long behind Cord's engine. Good time to have at least an aftermarket TC and VB on hand to install. My truck is not near as powerful and it tore my transmission apart after two years and 27000 miles. My transmission still had the stock clutch bands. New transmission being installed this week.

 

[Strick-9]

Thanks for the tips Eric.



Koa,

2 years? Cord's going to wish this transmission would last 2 years. hehe.



We are installing a near stock transmission behind his beast of a motor.

We'll upgrade it after he breaks a few things.



Cord's my buddy and he wouldn't appreciate it too much if we built a good transmission for him that lasted. He's the type of guy that wants to learn and know how things work. So this way, he'll get to learn about trannies.



Maybe we should take bets on how long it'll last.



-Chris

 

[cumminsgetme]

Thanks Chris



Taking bets may not be a bad idea!! I'll probably have the money to build the transmission about the same time we're making the swap, so that will leave about two weeks (shipping) to destroy the transmission.



I'm trying to learn as much as I can in the mean time about the automatic. Upon first rebuild I need to remember to bring my pen and paper as I'm sure I'll have a LOT to learn from Chris.



-Cord

 

[Extreme1]

I don't know if you have had one of these trannys out before so here are some of the more basic things from when I did my TC:



1) You need a porta-power to jack the frame rails apart. Too tight to hammer out (besides, you wouldn't be able to get it back in) and a bottle jack on it's side won't work.



2) If you need to hold the engine from turning to get the flywheel bolts off, you can use a 7/8 socket on the alternator but this only works in 1 direction so a barring tool might be orth having around.



3) Since you have it this far apart, a new clutch might be worth doing. At least do the pilot bearing, maybe a kevlar bushing from SBC?



4) Verify before you start the the cranks are both drilled the same size for a pilot bearing. This caught us on a '68 Sattelite/'69 Roadrunner swap once uppon a time...



5) Enjoy, I was looking for someone to swap trannies with me a while back. And yes, you will definately be able to slip the poop out of the TC.

 

[cumminsgetme]

Eric-



I read in another thread that you lost HP when you switched to the automatic. Do you remember how much you lost? I'm planning on dyno'ing before and after but I'll be doing a lot of other work to the truck while it's down so it won't be a direct comparison.



-Cord

 

[Extreme1]

Not ME!

Always had an auto in my truck. As long as the TC is locked, you should get the same in 3rd locked as in 4th on a 5 speed. Both are 1:1.