If you plan ahead, it could be done in a weekend. It took me 6 days to do mine but a lot of that was waiting for parts I didn't know I'd need. Actual time under the truck wasn't much.

 

Assuming I end up going down this very expensive road, would you mind me asking some questions? Most importantly, I wonder if you remember the things that you found out you needed after you started. Thanks.

Edit: I just found the write-up on your swap. Thanks for doing such a great job on documenting it. After reading that, I believe I can do this is a relatively short period of time. I am somewhat concerned about the torque capacity of the trans if I mod my 360, but I could swap a different one in later if need be.

 

Post a link to the write-up!

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-5-2l-4x4.html

 

Sorry I'm late to respond, I don't spend much time over here. Thanks for the posting the link!!

To the OP, there are a couple things you need to know that will be different for you.

First of all, you have an OBDII computer that will throw itself into "limp-in mode" if you remove the automatic transmission. So you will need to reflash it or use a computer out of a 5.9L manual truck. Probably getting a reflash would be easier than trying to track down a computer you can swap in!!

Second, the 5.9L is an externally balanced engine, so you will need a balanced flywheel. If you get a transmission off a 5.2L, you can't use the flywheel off of that because the 5.2 is internally balanced and has a neutral flywheel.

I could be wrong, but I don't think there was ever a 5.9L manual Dakota offered, so you might have to look at Rams for some the parts you need. The transmission can be taken out of a 5.2L manual dakota though. Actually, if you live in north carolina, I have a 2wd nv3500 for sale.

 

Could the speed sensor also make it refuse to shift out of 2nd? I'd be pretty happy if it ended up being something that easy. If the bands needed adjusting, would it slip? Mine doesn't seem to be slipping at all.

 

I've worked on my own vehicles for a long time, but I've never really messed with the transmissions. I have no idea how the linkages work or connect. If I got the NV4500 out of a Ram, would I be able to connect it to the linkage from the Dakota without additional mods, or would I have to start fabbing linkage parts? Or is that more a function of the bellhousing? I wonder if it would fit in the tunnel of the Durango, or if it would be too big. Sorry to ask such basic questions, but I've done nothing at all with transmissions, other than to R&R an auto.

 

the bands being out of adjustment causes all kinds of odd symptoms, they CAN cause it to slip, they can cause it to not shift right, while you have the pan down replace the fluid and filters and put fresh in, but DO NOT FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION it causes MORE problems than it solves

when my old truck (98 dakota) did it, the shifts were fine except for 1-2, so i cant say it will fix it for sure, but i think the sensor cost $20 so its not a big money item to try(keep in mind this was 3 years or more ago)

 

I'm not sure what you mean by linkages?

As for the nv4500, it won't fit in your transmission tunnel without a 2 inch body lift. Get a body lift and it should work... would definately be a beast!!

 

I didn't understand how the pedal connects to the trans until this morning. I've never, not even once, dealt with a manual trans. I figured it out (I think) this morning, though.
As far as doing a body lift goes, I don't plan on going that far. Do you know if it just hits in one spot, or is the entire top of the trans going to not fit. If it's just near where the shifter comes through, maybe that could be worked around somehow. If the whole thing is just too tall, then that's a different issue. I'm not up for redoing the trans tunnel and interior to get the 4500. Maybe a TKO500 or T56 or something would fit. I could always switch to a different trans later if the nv3500 didn't take the extra weight of the Durango and the torque of the 5.9. If I could find one that fits and doesn't cost more than a house, that is. Those things get expensive...............