Topic: auto to manual conversion?

[4banged]

Hey guys. My latest idea to keep this 4 banger is to swap out the auto (.69) od for the 5 speed manual (.80 od) that came on my 03 2.4 which should make highway performance much better. I see used nv2550 trannys locally for like $500 but I'm thinking I would also need quite a few other things (computer off a manual 2.4 TJ, front drive shaft, clutch pedal...). Is this a dumb idea? Am I missing anything? Thinking I could sell my auto that's also used in the 4.0 to make up for some of the cost.

[sharpxmen]

why not go with the 6 speed if you want to swap for a manual? I don't think it's a dumb idea btw.

[4banged]

I figured the 5 speed was what was available for my year so it would be a clean swap. Also, with my 4.56 gears I really don't need the lower crawl 1st gear. What are my chances of doing this myself? This is my second vehicle so I could be down for a few weeks with no worries.  I've done, timing belts, brakes,  radiators, alternators, starters....but never messed with a tranny or clutch.  Dumb question: does the motor have to be pulled or can I pull the drive shaft and just unbolt the tranny?

[sharpxmen]

I figured the 5 speed was what was available for my year so it would be a clean swap. Also, with my 4.56 gears I really don't need the lower crawl 1st gear. What are my chances of doing this myself? This is my second vehicle so I could be down for a few weeks with no worries.  I've done, timing belts, brakes,  radiators, alternators, starters....but never messed with a tranny or clutch.  Dumb question: does the motor have to be pulled or can I pull the drive shaft and just unbolt the tranny?

you need to pull the d/s and transfer case and then pull the transmission. You will need the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate as well.

[BoringDave]

This is funny! I want to switch from a 5sp to an auto.

[Jeffy]

I figured the 5 speed was what was available for my year so it would be a clean swap. Also, with my 4.56 gears I really don't need the lower crawl 1st gear. What are my chances of doing this myself? This is my second vehicle so I could be down for a few weeks with no worries.  I've done, timing belts, brakes,  radiators, alternators, starters....but never messed with a tranny or clutch.  Dumb question: does the motor have to be pulled or can I pull the drive shaft and just unbolt the tranny?

The 6th gear in a 6-speed is not a granny 1st nor is it an extra OD.  The extra gear is between 3rd and 4th gear usually.

Basically, you need the whole drivetrain drivetrain from the back of the engine to the transfer case.  You might also need  a new input shaft on the transfer case as well as driveshafts.  Best to pull everything complete from a donor and swap it all in at once.  You'll also need the master cylinder and pedal assembly.

You'll also need the pedal assembly as well.

[aw12345]

6 speed is the way to go I got 2 2.4l Jeeps and the gearing spread on the 6 speed is much better than the one in the NV1500 which is a very light duty trans. ^ speed is a lot more robust. You need clutch, flywheel throwout bearing and the clutch fork.
The slave and mastercylinder plus line. New these come as a pre bled assembly which is cool. Then you need a pedal assembly, transmission shifter a different top plate for the tunnel where it covers the trans and shifter. The shifter it self and the boot and of course a shift knob and last but not least you need to rewire the the starter/ neutral switch wiring and most likely a different ecm so the check engine and trans light doesn't come on. That should be about it.
Good luck and have fun converting.

[4banged]

Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like I would really need a donar vehicle to grab everything so I'm going to keep am eye on the local junk yards. That 6 speed is sounding better ... Do you know what the 6th gear ratio is? This would be a fun project...I love getting in over my head;-)

Boringdave...I don't know what year jeep you have but definitely don't go with the 42rle 4 speed auto...I would never buy another jeep with it even if it had a v8. The earlier 3 speed auto is supposed to be very reliable.

[sharpxmen]

Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like I would really need a donar vehicle to grab everything so I'm going to keep am eye on the local junk yards. That 6 speed is sounding better ... Do you know what the 6th gear ratio is? This would be a fun project...I love getting in over my head;-)

Boringdave...I don't know what year jeep you have but definitely don't go with the 42rle 4 speed auto...I would never buy another jeep with it even if it had a v8. The earlier 3 speed auto is supposed to be very reliable.

i think the 6 speed is .83 or something like that, very close to the 5 speed NV3550 which was .86 (i'm not sure of either number but should be fairly close).

[jagular7]

Use this to help your search - http://car-part.com/ for yards.

[4banged]

Thanks. The salvage yard in PA I've been talking to just got in a 2003 totaled and its a manual...I wish they were a little closer. I'd love to spend a day yanking everything off that i'd need. Even better would be to have the donor vehicle parked right next mine but not sure I could get that lucky.