has anyone attempted putting a manual trans into a Durango because as far as I know there was never one from factory

 

I believe a manual trans was offered in the same vintage Dakota, so can be transplanted into a Durango. Search the site for it.

 

There was a successful swap on this forum. I read it several months ago. The guy swapped the (I think?) nv3500 out of a 318 Dakota and had it running properly and going through gears with no lights on the dash or anything. It's the only successful thread on a manual swap I've ever been able to fine.