Manual to auto swap

4411 Views 23 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Diddybop63, 5 d ago

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · Dec 14, 2020

Hello I'm new to the page and was wondering if any has a list to swap a auto into my factory 5 speed truck it is a 5.2 5 speed I'm wanting to swap for a 47r trans thank you for your time in advance

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RalphP

· #2 · Dec 15, 2020

Find someone with a same year auto, and swap -

1) Clutch pedal assembly comes out of your truck.

2) Plug where the clutch cylinder rod went through.

3) Transmission wiring harness (may be engine bay harness).

4) Drive shaft(s).

5) ECU to pick up the tuning.

6) Flex plate and torque converter to match your 5.9.

7) Some kind of shift linkage.

Now - you may not be able to use a 47RE; that was for the 4.7. But a 46RE, should bolt right up.

RwP

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rrp5286

· #3 · Dec 17, 2020

It's not my truck, but why do you want to go automatic from your manual? I ask because manuals are rather rare these days, and fun. (My 2004 soldiers on precisely because of that.)

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 17, 2020

rrp5286 said:
It's not my truck, but why do you want to go automatic from your manual? I ask because manuals are rather rare these days, and fun. (My 2004 soldiers on precisely because of that.)

Tired of them breaking... This will be the third trans in a year.. can't handle the power when she's hooking good and the nv3500 don't power shift good

02GenHandMeDown

· #5 · Dec 17, 2020

Dustan5 said:
Tired of them breaking... This will be the third trans in a year.. can't handle the power when she's hooking good and the nv3500 don't power shift good

Why not get a built tranny instead? If it's just a matter of the truck has too much power for the tranny then an auto isn't going to be much different.

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 17, 2020

02GenHandMeDown said:
Why not get a built tranny instead? If it's just a matter of the truck has too much power for the tranny then an auto isn't going to be much different.

They don't really make any upgrades over the nv3500 and you can't beef them up not only that but the auto will be faster at the drag strip.. not to mention my truck isn't far from stock and I'm building a more powerful motor for the future so I know the nv3500 is out of the question

02GenHandMeDown

· #7 · Dec 17, 2020

Dustan5 said:
They don't really make any upgrades over the nv3500 and you can't beef them

This really doesn't make sense to me, I'm not a tranny expert but don't they pretty much make built tranny's for all trucks? I'm also pretty sure you could have it "beefed" up as you say, but again, I'm not an expert

Dustan5 said:
not only that but the auto will be faster at the drag strip

Uhhhhhh.... this seems completely backwards. I think it's a well known fact that manuals are faster for drag racing.

RalphP

· #8 · Dec 18, 2020

02GenHandMeDown said:
Uhhhhhh.... this seems completely backwards. I think it's a well known fact that manuals are faster for drag racing.

Actually, he's right when it's set up right.

Autos shift faster and when set properly can help the motor stay in its power peak better.

Do consider that a lot of drag racers are doing Powerglides and fully electronic transmissions now ...

RwP

RalphP

· #9 · Dec 18, 2020

Dustan5 said:
Tired of them breaking... This will be the third trans in a year.. can't handle the power when she's hooking good and the nv3500 don't power shift good

You ever check out any of Tremec's 5 and 6 speed transmissions?

I'd do that first.

Or consider the NV4500; but yah, if you're racing, look at the Tremec 5 and 6 speed transmissions.

RwP

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 18, 2020

02GenHandMeDown said:
This really doesn't make sense to me, I'm not a tranny expert but don't they pretty much make built tranny's for all trucks? I'm also pretty sure you could have it "beefed" up as you say, but again, I'm not an expert

Uhhhhhh.... this seems completely backwards. I think it's a well known fact that manuals are faster for drag racing.

Not necessarily the only upgrades for the nv 3500 are bearings and synchros... And all else equal an auto will always be faster on the track. That's why everyone is running 727s or power glides.. but my pockets ain't that type of conversion deep

RalphP said:
You ever check out any of Tremec's 5 and 6 speed transmissions?

I'd do that first.

Or consider the NV4500; but yah, if you're racing, look at the Tremec 5 and 6 speed transmissions.

RwP

I'm really looking to get away from manual all together.. I considered a 727 but with the cank sensor and driveshaft cross member ect. It's more modification than I can do or afford... I'm on a really tight budget and wanting plug and play if you will.. for now until I go carb 727 360 swap.

RalphP

· #11 · Dec 18, 2020

Try a 46RH; it's basically a 727 with OD and torque converter lockup; and if you don't engage them, it's basically a 727.

RwP

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 18, 2020

RalphP said:
Try a 46RH; it's basically a 727 with OD and torque converter lockup; and if you don't engage them, it's basically a 727.

RwP

That's like a stock durango trans correct

RalphP

· #13 · Dec 18, 2020

Well, the Durangos all came 46RE; that would need a controller.

Look for a 46RH. That would be 1989-1995 V8 on a Dakota.

RwP

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 18, 2020

RalphP said:
Well, the Durangos all came 46RE; that would need a controller.

Look for a 46RH. That would be 1989-1995 V8 on a Dakota.

RwP

Ok thank you super helpful

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 18, 2020

RalphP said:
Well, the Durangos all came 46RE; that would need a controller.

Look for a 46RH. That would be 1989-1995 V8 on a Dakota.

RwP

What kind of modification will I have to do will I be able to use the crossmember out of the donor truck and drive shaft etc

RalphP

· #16 · Dec 18, 2020

Possibly none; check the parts list, for a lot of years Dakota the auto and manual used the same crossmember just different transmission mounts (again, depending on year and transmission.)

IF you find a donor Dakota same wheelbase with the Auto, grab that driveshaft. Otherwise, you'll have to have one made (MAY be able to alter your current one; shucks, if I was driving enough power to worry about the transmission, I'd get a custom one made to handle the power! Last thing you want to do is cherry-stem the driveshaft ... )

Driveshaft reminds me ... there was a auto magazine (I want to say Hot Rod Magazine, but could be wrong!) where they reported where someone built up a Hemi or a B/RB block motor to drop into a van; tied it to the automatic transmission; left the stock driveshaft in.

The guy backs up close to a wall into some water, tries to do a burn out. The van sits for a split second, raised up, and then spits about half the drive shaft out the back into the concrete wall ... Oops! Stock was a bit weak for really good power levels (500HP+) back then.

RwP

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Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 18, 2020

RalphP said:
Possibly none; check the parts list, for a lot of years Dakota the auto and manual used the same crossmember just different transmission mounts (again, depending on year and transmission.)

IF you find a donor Dakota same wheelbase with the Auto, grab that driveshaft. Otherwise, you'll have to have one made (MAY be able to alter your current one; shucks, if I was driving enough power to worry about the transmission, I'd get a custom one made to handle the power! Last thing you want to do is cherry-stem the driveshaft ... )

Driveshaft reminds me ... there was a auto magazine (I want to say Hot Rod Magazine, but could be wrong!) where they reported where someone built up a Hemi or a B/RB block motor to drop into a van; tied it to the automatic transmission; left the stock driveshaft in.

The guy backs up close to a wall into some water, tries to do a burn out. The van sits for a split second, raised up, and then spits about half the drive shaft out the back into the concrete wall ... Oops! Stock was a bit weak for really good power levels (500HP+) back then.

RwP

Right now it's not making a ton of power but a 600 horsepower build is in the next couple years right now it's running a almost stock 318 with some head work small cam full exhaust and a 75 shot of nitrous and just motor will break an nv 3500 like it's nothing on sticky tires

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 22, 2020

Also what would I do for a crank shaft position sensor?

RalphP

· #19 · Dec 22, 2020

Dustan5 said:
Also what would I do for a crank shaft position sensor?

Dremel out the notch, or see if the bellhousing has the notch.

It bolts to the back of the head, but goes down through the bell housing.

RwP

Dustan5

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 22, 2020

RalphP said:
Dremel out the notch, or see if the bellhousing has the notch.

It bolts to the back of the head, but goes down through the bell housing.

RwP

But my stock sensor should pick up the flexplate.. didn't know if they were different from auto to stick

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