I guess I dont understand why you guys are making this seem harder or more expensive than it really is. If you bought a reman or built tranny and everything ordered through autozone, yeah it can get spendy.
These trucks came with the NV4500 as an option. A common option at that. Swapping one in is only as expensive as you want it to be. Go to craigslist, type "parting dodge" and get to work. Nothing has to be custom fabbed. Nothing has to be special ordered. Source a crossmember, (if its not the same as the auto) driveshafts, transmission, clutch master and slave assembly (one piece unit) and make sure the guy that sells you the trans, gives you the flywheel. Crank position sensor might need relocated, but I could be wrong on that. I would have the flywheel turned and get a new clutch. (Flywheel resurfacing is often free at parts store with purchase of a clutch, if its not free, find a different parts store). Change the fluid and go. everything is a bolt up. I am 100% certain it can be done under a grand. Im certain because I have done it... Twice... Easily. Also, if you are seriously on the cheap, find an NV3500. They are nearly as strong as an NV4500 and they are far more plentiful.

 

eric.b, yeah, but in Iowa it is impossible to find a NV4500 with the exception of a place 40 miles north of me, but they have mostly diesel versions, so it became cheaper for me to ship a reman up from Florida (which also had tcase and other things thrown in). The crossmember is the same as a auto. It uses a different CKPS as well. Remember eric.b, the diesel NV4500 and the gasoline NV4500 are two different things. They won't bolt to the same engine. The NV3500 will work with the 5.9L gas and under.

 

Just for kicks, I just spent about three minutes on craigslist. Found all the parts. Im sitting on about $1300 if I give exactly what they are asking for thier parts. That doesnt happen. I cant remember the last time I paid asking price for anything on craigslist.

 

Well good eric.b Was that DM craigslist?

 

Eric b where do you live? Seems this stuff is more common around your parts than anywhere i've been before.

 

About 40 miles from me.

 

Am I the only guy who hears the title of the thread in Mario's voice in my head when reading it?

 

Rebuild kit from Autozone just over $200, but if you need hard parts it will cost a little more.

Still cheaper to rebuild it yourself.......just saying....

 

cehaer? What's that LOL :P. Autozone rebuild kit isn't a very high quality one from what I have heard.

 

Um, yea. Yea I think you are. Lol.