Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Retired!!!

[Texis]

After 384,000 faithful miles the 97 is officially retired. I picked up an 08 Ford Police Interceptor for my DD duties and the many highway business trips I take.



So now I dont feel like the truck needs to be left "untampered with". I have hesitated to mess around with something that had to take me to work everyday, and worked fine. Now I can take on projects that may leave the truck on blocks for a week or so... and it wont matter.



The auto trans died at 260K (had it rebuilt) and is not so great at 382K, currently has another leak. I'm thinking about swapping it out for a manual? I dont have to sit in traffic any more and think the manual is a better "final solution". I'm certain this has been covered a hundred times, and I will use the search tool if I get more serious... but in general, what do you guys think?



thanks

 

[edgeman]

Texis, Sounds to me like your about to start haveing some real fun. Everyone has an opinion on manual vs auto transmission. I like both, but lean towards a manual. I feel that it gives the truck more "personality", but is not much fun in heave traffic. Have fun & let us know what you decide, Larry

 

[NIsaacs]

I agree with Larry, manual is more fun and truck like... also looking at your sig. your truck is not completely "untampered with" I see some goodies!



Nick

 

[Texis]

I see some goodies!

The main investment to date (2K) was the gutting and reconfiguring the front axle, which I hated... and now I love. I have stayed away from performance and/or lengthy mods because I always had to use it to get to work.



I have been searching the forums on the manual swap, seems very straightforward and do-able. Only real issue is do I want to pay the big bucks for the 6 speed, or go with the cheaper, more common 5 speed. Basically a wallet & opportunity based decision.



Currently knee deep in jeep & boat projects, but the truck is now a play platform and on the list of things to do! No more heavy daily traffic for what the family calls "the Mega-la-Dodge".



Thanks

 

[ewcmr2]

Only real issue is do I want to pay the big bucks for the 6 speed, or go with the cheaper, more common 5 speed.

How heavy do you tow? That would be (and was) the diciding factor for me. If you mostly drive around empty or light the NV4500 will serve you well. If you're towing 10,000+ pound trailer the G56/NV5600 would probably be the better choice.

 

[GAmes]

If you want to go with a G56, I have a SBC clutch and pressure plate I will send you for the cost of shipping. I bought a new set thinking I had a leaking rear main. I measured the difference of the old and new, the old one is worn . 010 inches. You would only need to buy a SBC flywheel replacement for the duel mass flywheel that came standard with the G56. I don't see myself reinstalling it, and hate to see a $500 set go to waste.

 

[Texis]

My towing is 10,000 MAX. I seldom tow, but when I do it is typically a low boy trailer hauling a Ford diesel tractor + bush hog, or an offshore boat... so nothing over 10K ever gets hooked to the bumper.



GAmes> that's a very generous offer. If I was set on a G56 I would take you up on it in a heart beat, I still have lots of reading before I decide which set up would be best for me. If I decide to go the G56 route, you will be the first call I make!

 

[Nyoest]

If you can afford a good built auto trans there is nothing better. Period. If you add the cost of a manual trans, clutch, and related parts up you be prolly be tied with the price of a well built auto.

My south bend DD was about $1,600 and the bluementhal 5 spd was about $1,900, both of which I have replaced in the last two years. I did the work myself so no labor cost but that alone is $3,500. You don't currently have a manual trans core so add a good bit for that as well. Master and slave cylinders, pedals, steering column or at least the covers, instrument cluster and your looking at a fair bit of money and time.

You may not want a full rebuilt Trans to put in or even a DD clutch but those are the numbers I had handy.

 

[Texis]

I like my auto for a DD truck, and wouldn't want a stick & clutch in traffic every day. A local shop (Don's Automatic Transmission, Orange, Texas... which is VERY good and has a long race history) build my A/T 125K back. They did something with the shift pattern to make it longer and shift firmer. It hasn't skipped a beat since. So, I haven't had major issues with the slush-amatic.



"IF" i decided to go with the stick it would be for a couple of reasons; 1) I want a granny (low range) 1st gear. I have a dirt hill leaving my lease property and with a loaded trailer and the truck fire-walled... she "barely" crawls up the hill and onto the black top... . into 70 mph cross traffic. Scares the crap out of me everytime I have to perform this maneuver. 2) Keeping the 12V in it's power band. The B&M floor shifter helps, but is no substitute for a stick as relates to staying "where" an engine makes power. I have ZERO passing ability above 55 mph without pushing the OD disconnect button. The truck is a pure dog at slower highway speeds, even empty. Too fast to downshift, too slow to get around other vehicles. I suppose a fuel plate and 4" exhaust would help this issue?



All that said, I may not bother, but it will want "something" to fix these short comings in the next few years. The column is already fixed, did that when the B&M went in. On a retired truck, I dont care about the dash retaining the A/T gear indicators.



BTW... for you A/T fans, the B&M floor shifter made a huge difference in the mountains, and towing heavier loads. It lets you shift the truck somewhat like a stick. But it doesn't fix the A/T's high 1st gear ratio... . or your ability to accelerate up a hill quickly with a load when needed.



A/Ts are nice in traffic, faster at the drag strip if prepped right, better offroad... . but not better at managing the engine's power curve with, or without a load. I have owned several granny gear trucks, and I miss that ratio option badly.



Dunno. . all points are well taken, verdict is not in.

 

[Texis]

I do have a question:



If I opted to find a donor truck for a 5 speed swap, what years would be the easiest to adapt into my 97?



Besides the obvious... 97!



SRATH> did you ever finish the NP205 install?



Thanks

 

[GAmes]

The 2WD NV4500 changed in '98. The speed sensor was integrated to the ABS and there is not place to mount one on the tailshaft. Somewhere around there they also went to a different shifter, square instead of round. I'm not sure there if there is an advantage there. Since your sensor is on the TC, the only problem I faintly remember is perhaps a different gear to drive the TC?

 

[HHhuntitall]

Don't forget, you'll likely need the Tcase to go with that NV4500... ... I believe most of the auto trannies had a different splined output shaft, and the matching input shaft of the tcase won't match up to the NV4500/5600. A donor truck would be ideal, IMO. In that case, pretty much anything from 94-02 will bolt up. As for your electronics, that's a little different story..... but it can work pretty easy.



As for ease of installing, the 94-97 would be easiest.

 

[john colgan]

If you consider the manual trans swap, I swapped in an NV5600 in my 96 4x4 around 80k miles ago. I've been searching for a donor truck to perhaps swap in an auto. Not sure where in Texas you are located, I'm in the Austin area. I also have a shop with all the tools and a lift to perform all this work if you are interested.



Thanks,



John