Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) manual to auto convert

[WDaniels]

I did a search of this but didn't see anything. Has anyone gone from manual to auto and if so how is it, ahy secrets or tips and tricks.

WD

 

[Wasilla Rod]

I would not even consider an auto--I have one of the slushy piles of junk and I HATE IT WITH A PASSION! I guess if you were to throw a bunch of money at one and git rid of that junk Dodge considers a torque converter it might be a bit better. I put in the torque lock kit and that helped -- at least she doesn't free wheel when I slack off on the foot feed now. There has never been devised a bigger waste of diesel torque than container of ATF that Dodge calls a transmission. If you want to swing thru Wasilla I would gladly trade you trannys. Consider your self lucky to have a real transmission!

 

[chrleb1]

I'd have to say differently. I had a 5 speed in my truck and it wouldn't handle the abuse I showed it. To hold the hp, i had to run a dual disc clutch. We ended up taking a transmission out of a '95 and built it wth all 48re parts and put in a triple disc converter. You have to change the lengths of the drivelines, change the input shaft of the transfer case, change the steering column, and control the lock-up and overdrive manually. Just like anything, it has to be built right. Luckily my brother is awesome at building them. Plus, I actually gained a half second in the 1/4 mile.

 

[Bobcat698]

I would not even consider an auto--I have one of the slushy piles of junk and I HATE IT WITH A PASSION! I guess if you were to throw a bunch of money at one and git rid of that junk Dodge considers a torque converter it might be a bit better. I put in the torque lock kit and that helped -- at least she doesn't free wheel when I slack off on the foot feed now. There has never been devised a bigger waste of diesel torque than container of ATF that Dodge calls a transmission. If you want to swing thru Wasilla I would gladly trade you trannys. Consider your self lucky to have a real transmission!

Come on now. . Tell us how you really feel!



IMHO... Automatic is the way to go ASSUMING it is properly built by a quality shop such as GOEREND TRANSMISSION INC.

 

[JoshPeters]

Give Amianthus a PM. He has done the swap. We (Triple D Performance) may be doing this to a customers truck as well.



The swaps I have read/heard about it's best to have Both trucks sitting there. That way you can get the parts you need/want. Really though... to the the Auto Swap is much easier than a Manual swap.



JP

 

[WDaniels]

The information is good, keep it coming. I am just in the thinking stages but after having a manual since 96 I was thinking that an auto would be nice. Starting to get to many things into the truck to just get rid of it and get an auto. Don't want to do everything again.

WD

 

[JoshPeters]

I believe BD has come out with a standalone controller for the 47RE's as well.



Really if you think about it... with that controller, You get a flexplate, transmission, the proper bolts, and a B&M floor shifter, then Install! Remove your clutch pedal, slave, etc.



If I remember right (again I have talked about this swap, but not done it) the driveshafts are the right length and everything. The swap is pretty straight forward... . going your direction. The other way gets more complicated.



JP

 

[tom sweeney]

... . i think the only AUTO i would consider would be the new AISIN transmission... . from what i've read,its supposed to be a REAL truck transmission... ... ... ... tom

 

[zstroken]

Drive shaft lengths are different. The front shaft in the 5 speed truck is shorter, it will work, but I think it is about 1. 5" short or so.

 

[JoshPeters]

Drive shaft lengths are different. The front shaft in the 5 speed truck is shorter, it will work, but I think it is about 1. 5" short or so.

Thanks Z... I wasn't 100%.



JP

 

[Hammer]

I would not even consider an auto--I have one of the slushy piles of junk and I HATE IT WITH A PASSION! I guess if you were to throw a bunch of money at one and git rid of that junk Dodge considers a torque converter it might be a bit better.

Wasilla. .

Has the long nights up there gotten to you already,LOL.

While at one time the slushboxes were a disadvantage due to parts lacking,they have come along way in the last 10 years or so. Nowadays,the slushbox crowd are at a advantage over us and now with the advent of stand alone computers which can be tuned via laptop us stick guys are in trouble,bigtime. If the trucks equipped with a top flight slushbox there is no stick equipped truck which will be out front in a race out of the hole and out to at least the 660 ft lights. While we are row,row,rowing our boats,they are smashing,steering and smiling at us in their rearview mirros at us trying to run them down from the disadvantage our slow shifting sticks have put us in.



And as for the "urban legend" saying of "you can build a stick truck cheaper" I say BULL!. It doesn't matter what you do they both are about the same cost wise once you break it all down. So once you have figured that out,you will see how equal they are in the long run.



The stick in my truck is not going to be in place much longer as I have had about enough after hours rowing when all I do all day long is row a stick. Its time to put her on stands,drop the 5spd and double disc out and slip in one of those hard hitting automatics so I can stomp and steer. To sell my truck and find one as clean in a automatic would be tough so I will just keep up with the changes I have started this year and add a slushbox next... ... ... ... ..... Andy

 

[WDaniels]

Hammer,

When exactly do you think that you will do the conversion? I am interested in any information that you come across in the process. I need to give Amianthus a pm like JoshPeters advised.

WD

 

[GMac]

if you are going to swap trannies, do it right the first time and put in an allison

 

[WDaniels]

Do they make an Allison that will work without a computer on a 97?

 

[GMac]

they do but not an automatic od transmission. the 1000 series with the computer like I have is very easy and totally programmable for shift points, firmness, etc. all you need on your truck is the automatic tps sensor. the rest of the allison is stand alone.

 

[WDaniels]

Once again I miss out. Is there another auto out there that would work? I think I read somewhere on the posts that a roadranger would bolt right up to the back of our engine. He said that he put a 13 speed in his truck. He was from South Carolina I think. I wonder if an eaton-fuller has one that would work with our engine. Might do some research on this if no one knows.

WD

 

[Bart]

I have close to a 100K on my RE since in was rebuilt by ATS. With the triple lock converter and controller I drive it like a stick without a clutch. The trans never goes over 180 and that's stop and go in heavy traffic. I regularly pull 19K with it and every 15K mile oil change comes out looking as good as it went in. I've like my auto and stand by it. It better go another 100K too!