Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Just completed the conversion. All-in-all, it took approx. 30 hours to complete, on the ground, with no lift.
First-off, I'd like to thank my friend Rich for helping me lift and install the NV5600 (man, that's one heavy transmission). Also, thanks to BWillard for answering a couple of questions along the way.
I couldn't locate used parts easily, so I went to a friend of mine at a local Jeep dealer. He was able to order all the parts I needed (for a reasonable price).
Don @ Blumethal's was great to deal with for the new trans, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and conversion parts. Excellent service.
Now for the specifics for my early 2001:
- the stock cross-member fits perfectly
- steering column doesn't need to be changed, just remove linkage
- main driveshaft needs to be shortened 5-1/2", front shaft lengthened the same
- input shaft of transfer case needs to be changed
- exhaust hanger needs to be changed or modified
- starter may not need spacer (I think the earlier models need the spacer, mine didn't need one)
- need to splice into the automatic wiring harness for back-up lights and to ground the park/neutral wire
- cutting the hole in the floor was the most difficult part (measure cut, re-measure re-cut, repeat, repeat, and repeat again)
The only tell-tale sign that my truck was an automatic is the dash panel (PRND21), I need to figure out a way to cover this, but it's not a big deal.
I have all the Dodge part numbers that I still need to organize, but I will be doing so shortly.
Now, for the $6k question :-laf Would I do it again? YES. I feel it was worth it. I know my truck, I have put enough into it, to not want to need to do it again to another truck.
Hope this info helps someone out.
BTW, I also took many pictures of the process. I will try to post soon.
First-off, I'd like to thank my friend Rich for helping me lift and install the NV5600 (man, that's one heavy transmission). Also, thanks to BWillard for answering a couple of questions along the way.
I couldn't locate used parts easily, so I went to a friend of mine at a local Jeep dealer. He was able to order all the parts I needed (for a reasonable price).
Don @ Blumethal's was great to deal with for the new trans, clutch, pressure plate, flywheel and conversion parts. Excellent service.
Now for the specifics for my early 2001:
- the stock cross-member fits perfectly
- steering column doesn't need to be changed, just remove linkage
- main driveshaft needs to be shortened 5-1/2", front shaft lengthened the same
- input shaft of transfer case needs to be changed
- exhaust hanger needs to be changed or modified
- starter may not need spacer (I think the earlier models need the spacer, mine didn't need one)
- need to splice into the automatic wiring harness for back-up lights and to ground the park/neutral wire
- cutting the hole in the floor was the most difficult part (measure cut, re-measure re-cut, repeat, repeat, and repeat again)
The only tell-tale sign that my truck was an automatic is the dash panel (PRND21), I need to figure out a way to cover this, but it's not a big deal.
I have all the Dodge part numbers that I still need to organize, but I will be doing so shortly.
Now, for the $6k question :-laf Would I do it again? YES. I feel it was worth it. I know my truck, I have put enough into it, to not want to need to do it again to another truck.
Hope this info helps someone out.
BTW, I also took many pictures of the process. I will try to post soon.
Last edited:
Nice try though.
