Hey Guys hope one day I can answer questions instead of just asking them. Anyway the tranny in my 97 2wd 4.2 truck is on the way out again. I was just wondering if anybody had swapped out an auto tranny for a manual. I only use the truck for work now, and I also miss the five speed. Is it a difficult swap, relitively inexpensive? Any insight you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again guys for all the great info. QUOTE]It's easier to beg forgiveness than it is to get permission[/QUOTE]

 

I haven't done the swap. I would guess that it wouldn't be too difficult. It sees though that you would have to invest too much money to make it worth while.

Is going from the "smooth" auto to the "notchy" manual a good thing?

Good luck whatever you end up doing!

 

It can be done but will it be worth the time and money to do it.

 

I've done the swap a few times, and for me it's worth it as I find an auto too delicate. I don't realy think it's hard, just time consuming, but can be done in an easy weeked if you're familiar with the truck

best route is to use a doner vehicle that matches yours, and simply swap everything over. Does not have to be the same year, but same engine, and body style helps but not always critical, sometimes there's a small change, keep track of the year and model you used, ( ranger 5spd into explorer auto, same engine, trans, rear end, ranger has a smaller clutch than the explorer uses, so going for clutch parts means asking for ranger parts) Many electrical connections have to be made or changed, nuetral safty swich has to be turned into a clutch switch, or bypassed depending on your choice.

All the trucks I've ever worked on had the proper wiring, but maybe not the pigtails etc that I needed to hook things up.

starters for some sticks are different than autos.

pedal changeover, most truck have the same bracket under the dash, so all you have to get is a pedal along with the bolt and any bushings from the doner.

Shifter and floor plate, most trucks use the same cutout in the floor, so all you need is the shifter plate and boot from the doner, but you need to pull the carpet to get to it, But, last swap I did on a Bronco2, doner and swap were both '86, but the swap had a different floor cutout than the doner, so I had to make up a new plate.

possible problems you'll run into is driveshaft length may need to be changed, longer or shorter depending on the trans length in relation to the auto.

and some manuals have different output flanges or splines than autos.

some auto computers don't like to go with a manual, but most don't have any odd problems.


Like I say, for me the swap is worth it, but for others, it's hard to say.

sorry ramblin now!

ken.

 

I know on the pre 97 it was a bolt up affair pretty much. I would look at a manual truck and compare everything to yours. Clutch pedal placement, clutch cylinder, etc. Then decide.

Another thing it to get a MONSOR BOX 4R70W and you should never have to replace it again.

 

I very much wanted to do this on my truck as I was forced into getting the auto with my 5.4L engine. I much prefer manual transmissions. But I finally decided that after a lot of work, a lot of time and a lot of money I'd have a less valuable truck if I did the swap.

The other thing that really worried me is how the computer would deal with the swap. I know '97 was the pivotal year where they started with the "new" 4R70W, so I'm not sure how much different that was from the 4R70W in my truck, but mine has a "learning"/"intelligent" transmission that seems pretty well indelible to the PCM (powertrain control module).

I'd look for the advice of Gregg Evans on this one as he's the resident transmission expert. Good luck in whatever you decide.