Hello all,

I am getting really, really sick of my automatic. I know, I know, the 727 is a good tranny... but I can't stand it. Driving with an automatic is extremely boring to me, I hate the lack of control over my vehicle. Not to mention I feel the auto is a waste of money (I can feel the money flowing out of my wallet to be expelled as waste heat from my TC). I want to swap in a 4 speed from a junkyard 1st gen Dodge Truck I found recently, the truck is an I6, mine is a 318, so I know it'll have a different bellhousing, it's also a short wheel base truck unlike mine so I can't use the driveshaft. I will likely take the pedal assembly and all clutch parts that may be reused. I understand a lot of what needs to be done as I have good experience as a mechanic, but it's better to ask questions and learn from other people than do trial and error stuff.

So now I ask, from those who have done it or seen it done:

What will I need to convert my extended cab ram into a manual? Are there better alternatives out there than the junkyard 4 speed? (5 speed out of a newer ram, or an easier to find ford or chevy?).

Thanks in advance for any info

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1981 D150 5.2L auto
Next up: Body work
Check my gallery and my youtube channel to watch my progress.

Biggest problem you face is that the crankshaft typically isn't drilled for a pilot bushing if the engine was mated to an automatic. There's only one way to find out if yours was.

Other than that, it's a pretty straight-forward conversion. Tranny, pedal assembly, bell crank and linkage.

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Thank god Ford is still making vehicles, because mechanics still have bills to pay.

A full manual valve body won't do?

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No, not for me it won't. There's still no clutch and a TC sapping power and gas mileage.

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1981 D150 5.2L auto
Next up: Body work
Check my gallery and my youtube channel to watch my progress.