Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Looking for info on swapping my manual out for an auto

[ejtaintor]

I know most will say right off the bat, "sell it and get a truck with an auto already in it. " Problem is my truck has a bunch of work done to it (600 rwhp as well as mods throughout the truck) and swapping all of it over would be a huge pain.



At any rate I am throwing around the idea of getting a built auto to toss in. I know I would have to change the input on the t-case and the shafts may need to be shortened/lengthened but I am curious as to what is involved in making the trans function in the truck.



I'm not biased either way between a floor shift or a column shift. I really would rather not have a full manual valve body as my wife drives my truck every now and then and shifting is her one complaint. I don't mind throwing a switch for OD and lock-up but I'd like to be able to select drive and let it run the gears.



Any and all info is much appreciated as I'm just trying to wrap my head around what this endeavor might entail.

 

[BigPapa]

I have an auto steering column, an auto PCM, and an auto gauge cluster from a '95 for sale. That would take care of your shifter and your OD/lockup control issues. Only drawback is the cluster shows 373K miles... ... .



Scott

 

[Batphreak]

What year is your truck, ejtaintor? I'd love for my '98 to become a manual transmission, heck if that managed to happen I'd probably keep the truck forever as it is I'm working on a plan to sell it and wait until I find the truck I really want. If your truck just happened to be a '98 it'd be pretty easy to swap everything between our trucks, probably take most of a weekend in a decent shop, though. And since yours is a 12V I'm sure there would be a few computer issues to deal with.

 

[ejtaintor]

My truck is a '97. I'm not quite ready to do the swap. It will probably be a while before I do if at all.



Any word on if this Lockup & Shift Controllers - ATS Diesel will make this whole process easier? The info is kind of lacking. If it is truly a stand alone and I don't need the TPS or the auto computer, this would save a ton of work.

 

[cerberusiam]

Any word on if this Lockup & Shift Controllers - ATS Diesel will make this whole process easier? The info is kind of lacking. If it is truly a stand alone and I don't need the TPS or the auto computer, this would save a ton of work.

Still needs a VSS and TPS signal to work correctly, no way around that.



You could use a 47RH if you could get the PCM to ignore the missing pieces and work correctly. Possibly a feedback loop to fool it into thinking the transducer and solenoid is there but you would need to source a PCM.



I think Suncoast has the same type of product but they all need a TPS signal to function correctly. There are some aftermarkets you could add if they are adjustable to the feed the controller needs.

 

[fox]

What year is your truck?

A 95 had a 47rh and the 96 and newer had the 47re trans. The difference is the 96 and newer must have the computer working to shift the trans up and down.

PM sent.

 

[ejtaintor]

I've been talking to Patrick at ATS regarding the standalone system. It sounds pretty intensive from the electrical stand point and not something I want to tackle in the garage. Looks like a donor vehicle is the way to go when I get to that point.

 

[Partyat33]

I put a 47RH in my 2001. Was not really that hard. Input shaft to Tcase, shaft length, few other small things.

 

[ejtaintor]

If you have a second, do you mind adding what those "few other small things" are? I hadn't considered the RH mainly as I don't really know the difference between it and the RE. Did you use a factory Auto column or an aftermarket floor shift? Any computer/wiring swaps?

 

[Partyat33]

Well, I used a couple rocker switches to control lock up and 4th gear. You need a different transmission mount. I put my shifter on the floor. You will need to run a kick down cable to the throttle position sensor. I used an aftermarket transcooler in front of the radiator. It's really not enough so I mounted a second powered one under the truck.

I think that is about it.

 

[cerberusiam]

I don't really know the difference between it and the RE.

The only real difference between the RE and RH is the how the governor pressure is controlled. The RE is electronic and requires the standalone controller to run it becuase it is a feedback system. The RH drives the gov pressure off the governor on the tail shaft.

I put a 47RH in my 2001. Was not really that hard. Input shaft to Tcase, shaft length, few other small things.

Did you change out the tcase input or the transmission output shaft?



Did you have to shorten\lengthen drive shafts or did they work without modification?