Has anyone tried, or completed, an auto to manual tranny swap in a 1st or 2nd generation Durango? With all the issues that seem to be had with the auto I would think someone would have already pulled this off. I know that it would be possible with a Dakota, but they are available as a manual. The Durango on the other hand is not, but it is on the same platform, but I'm not sure if it has all the same holes and mounts in the firewall for the needed hardware.
If anyone has done any research, or has completed this swap please let us know.

Oh yea, I'm a first timer here.

Keith

 

Wow! I am really surprised that this isn't a hot topic. I had a Dakota with a 318 5-speed, and that this was a thrill to drive. I was always told it was just as quick as the 360 because of the auto tranny. Plus, with all the problems people seem to have with the auto tranny in these vehicles.
Nobody?

Keith

 

idk that anybody here has tried it, but i think meangreen was looking into it at one point, you could pm him and ask, i dont think he went thru with it tho, i would expect that it can be done bc as you said it is based off the dakota platform

 

I've always wanted my D to be manual, but until my auto explodes *knocks on a lot of wood* i don't have any reason to swap my tranny out... If it does go, I will seriously consider making it a 5spd though... finding a wrecked dak would be pretty hard to do around here though... With 270,000km on my tranny, it still shifts hard, smooth.. itdoesn't chatter, shutter, leak... i think i got the tranny that DC didnt **** up.

 

is that the 5 sp auto that they have behind the 4.7?? if so its the same one ive got its really good, i guess thats a good thing

 

My tranny is acting a little odd here lately. That is why I am looking into it. Plus, I love driving a big V8 with a manual tranny behind it. Nothing like good ol' American muscle.
How do I find meangreen?

Keith

 

I'm not around too very much anymore but I'll help you with as much as I can. First off which engine do you have???

 

I have the 5.9 litre 360. I took a look quick look at the firewall to see if I could see any mounts for the slave cylinder for the clutch, but didn't see anything. I use to have a Dakota with a 318 manual, but I just don't remember what it looked like under the hood.
I know that the shifter is a direct connect to the tranny so that will just need an hole in the in the floor board for the stick. It might already have one there.
The only thing that I didn't think of that might be an issue is the mounting bolts for the bell housing. If they are the same between the 318 and the 360. Plus, would anything have to be done to the computer?

MeanGreen,
Did you ever do this swap?

Thanks,
Keith

 

Didn't do it. The 318 and 360 are the same engine just different displacement so it will bolt up. I would definitely beef up that 5 speed. I was actually looking into a 4 speed. The NV4500 was made for the 360 only problem is that it was also built for a Ram. I imagine you would have to make it fit and then theres the driveshaft, coulumn shifter, clutch, and also the PCM would probably need to be reflashed to think it is something other than a D with a manual tranny.