New member here Hi all !
I have a 2002 Ram 1500 2wd 360 v8 The automatic trans needs rebuild , and not being a fan of automatics I wish to swap over to manual trans.

I currently have the automatic out, and now at the aquire the needed parts stage, but there are a few things I don't know ! I usually try to aquire what information I can b4 starting a project.
1. This truck is equipped with the "Evil Crank position Sensor" , which as we all know is nearly impossible to get to, but right now with no trans in it, it is very easy to get to.
Do the Manual shift versions have this evil device, and does the same ring that said evil device uses to make its detections go behind the flywheel?
2. The manual transmissions I see for this era do not appear to use a traditional bell housing , but appear to have their own attached bell housings, and I dont recall seeing an opening for CPS.
3. I haven't yet decided which trans I want, but I will want the one with the best OD ratio as I will not be doing much towing, but would like to be able to if I want to. I'm more concerned with fuel economy . The 360 has an abundance of power for my use so I may also want to change out the rack and pinion ratio while I am at it to further increase its already respectable 17 to 19 mpg highway mileage. Its on a par with my 4.0 six in my Jeep. I'm looking toward the Getrag 6 speed or NV 4500 5 speed.
4. The ECM, TCM and wiring harness are concerns as several wires go to the CPS and the auto trans . Will these connections be just dead ends if not used with a manual? Will I need a different ECM or TCM ?
5. Driveshaft : Mine is 2wd , 4 door 6ft bed. Can I use my current drive shaft and change the connection at the front U joint? or will I likely need one made?

Yeah yeah, before ya all start in with the comments about buying a different truck ,yada yada ! Let me say this the truck came with the house I bought, the old gal didn't want it so she gave me the title. Its virtually rust free, with very good interior. It's literally a gift, so I'm gonna make it like I want it. As you all know finding a Dodge manual shift is not so easy and finding an exact doner for this one will be like looking for a unicorn in a herd of cows.
So: any and all help appreciated and thanks in advance to anyone who helps make my build easier !

 

Pretty much what you’ll need for custom work is the driveshaft, it will need to be sized as the 5speed behind a 5.2 is different length than a 5.9.

you’ll need pedal assemblies, cut hole in floor, and run slave, but it’s doable

at my shop we just put a 96 Cummins P pump with a nv4500 into a 1984 Chevy square body crew cab 3+3…did first run this week and goes awesome….anything can be done with a little time

 

1. ALL modern EFI engines have a crank position sensor, it's part of how the PCM keeps timing.
2. That's because 3rd gen 360's only came with automatics, the only stick available in 2002 1500's was the 3.7/4.7 family; their CPS are at the back of the engine.
3. Should work fine. Luckily factory parts exist for this kind of swap (just with a different engine)
4. PCM only. 46RE doesn't have a TCM. As the 360 never came with a stock in the 3rd gen, you'll need a custom harness. I would talk to Hotwireauto, this kind of stuff is their bread and butter.
5. You haven't even picked a trans yet. That needs to happen first, then you can see if it will work or not or if you need a custom shaft.

 

Ok so I will need the CPS . Do I need use the same ring behind the Flywheel that was behind the TC? I'm going to assume so. I put forth an inquiry at Hotwireauto. about a harness. I'm leaning back toward the NV 4500. as I see no benefit to 1 extra gear that is not going to benefit. If the sixth gear was an addtional OD ratio then it might be worth it, but it isn't. I may even go with the NV3500 which is probably sufficient. I have to think more on this. I need look also on available ring/pinion gears !

 

The NV3500 won't survive long behind a 360, they never came from the factory together.

Manual trans will use a different flywheel, with tone ring. It also uses a different crank sensor than the auto. (different length, I believe.)

 

Ah ok, the flywheel will have its own ring from what you say, and different CPS, beginning to think scrounging Pull -it yards won't be worth the time, and that the NV4500 is probably best option. The real question is, the 5.9 didn't come with manual so I might indeed need the ring for the CPS behind the flywheel? Rock Auto shows a manual shift for the 02 5.9L albeit a NV 3500 ! So one can understand my confusion as to what will or not work, ?

 

Manual shift 5.9 in 2002 is the Cummins lol

 

Ah ok, that clears that up.

 

Thanks Magnoom, Autohotwire was a great lead ! they got back with me promptly, and stated that I could seal and stash the auto trans wires out of the way, and that all I had to worry about was back up lamps. They also stated I might need the computer reprogrammed or replaced, they will get back to me!

I previously didn't think about it, but I might be able to find the parts I need from 2500, or 3500 5.9 gas engines with Manual shift! Thus the information hunt continues before I start shelling out for the items required. So at the moment, it is a matter of a Flywheel that will work.

 

Just make sure you aren't looking for 2002 2500/3500 stuff because those are still 2nd gens. You need to look for (preferably) 03-05.