Transmission swap?

[yunit]

Hey guys.

I might be getting a 97 2500 4wd CTD Auto from my uncle. The question I have is...

What kind of mods, if any, will I have to make in order to swap in an NV4500 into this truck? The truck has 140k on it and the auto has held up so far; just don't know how much longer. I want to be able to tow around 10k with the truck, it currently has 3.55 gears and I know the auto will only pull like 8800. Thanks for any input supplied guys. Pete.

[RJF's Red Cummins]

The fact that the original tranny has 140K should stand for something. IMHO, going to a 4500 would be a downgrade. If it was me (from my experience) I would pull whatever weight you want with the truck, leave it out of OD, and go for it. The problem with the 10K will be more with power than the strength of the tranny. That truck is only like 175HP/400ft lbs. While that is a lot, it will slow down on the hills considerably pulling 10K behind you, thats roughly 17K combined weight. Thats a fair amount.

Why do you think the tranny isn't going to last much longer? Do you figure because it's a Dodge auto or because it's actually acting up?

My truck is an auto truck and my dad's is the 6spd H.O. The manual is nice for going down hill because he has an exhaust brake, but with an aftermarket 47RH/E you can run an exhaust brake and have it just as effective as having a manual. In acceleration and pulling up the grade I see hardly any difference between the two trucks. Unloaded my auto is much faster and easier to drive in town, and gets better mileage.

ANyway, if it was me, forget the 4500 (unless you are a dedicated stick and pedal pusher) and spend the money on an upgraded 47RH. It will be MUCH faster in acceleration and pull the hills just as well with any load. The built auto will handle pretty much as much power as you want to put to it, I promise. In the end, it will only cost a few hundred more (if that) to go with a built up performance auto vs. trying to swap in a 4500 and performance clutch.

[RJF's Red Cummins]

BTW, the 8800lbs you mentioned is the GVWR. what you're max weight can be with the pickup and whats in the bed, not how much weight you can pull. IIRC of course.

[yunit]

Actually, I was looking at the 5.9 V8 rating, which is 8800, the 5.9 CTD is 9900lbs...for the automatic. I love the way the truck drives and the way the auto acts, just thought the nv4500 might of been a simple swap. If I get the truck, I will probably just sell it to cover what my uncle owes me. Thanks for the input.

[RJF's Red Cummins]

So the truck is a CTD? Not the small block gasser?

Well, I'm sure it's not too hard to do. If you had the donor truck next to it I'm sure it would be just a matter of swapping parts. I'm sure you know that since thats what a lot of guys that want an SM465 on CK5 do. The problem is having a whole donor truck, you can't get a 94+ 4500 equipped Dodge for say $500 like you can an old chevy.

Regardless, I'm sure it can be done, a lot of guys swap from the manual to an auto.

Just ask if you have any more questions. If you don't sell the truck of course.