[HARSH-R/T]

I have had countless threads all stating the same thing so here is my build thread finally! I have most of the automatic sensors and cables unhooked and steering colum converted, auto driveshaft is out and I'm almost ready to put the manual pedal assembly in. Gray truck is the donor and that is now sold. Enjoy! I'll post plenty more pics as the build progress's.

 

[Thegreenone]

I did the same swap. hardest part was the pedal assy. I found that the trans crosmember was the same and the mount was different. Why did you swap columns? and whats that ear welded on the trans? Good show man, cant wait to see more pics. If you were closer I'd come help

 

[jmaack727]

Probably cracked, I remember someone talking about nv3500s cracking.

 

[HARSH-R/T]

Thanks man, what year was your dakota that you did the swap on?

I too have noticed the crossmember is the same, just different mounts, I'll just swap those around. I found that the pedal assembly removal and install wasn't too bad, I thought the driveshaft removal was the hardest because those bolts were locktite'd like a mo'fo!

I didn't swap the colums, I just dissassembled the auto shifter lever and removed the items I needed too. I then just put the boot back in place and it looks pretty decent. I also re-attached the clip that makes key assembly think it's park so I can easily use the same key assembly.

And Yes jmack is correct, the 2 tabs that the nv3500 mounts to the crossmember were broke off, so I had a really good welder friend fix me up.

 

[all in tiger 88]

Does this have the NV242 AWD transfer case? Man, those launches are going to be awesome! I have wanted to do an auto to manual swap in mine. Did any AWD 5 speed combos come out of the factory?

 

[91dak239]

Does this have the NV242 AWD transfer case? Man, those launches are going to be awesome! I have wanted to do an auto to manual swap in mine. Did any AWD 5 speed combos come out of the factory?

No AWD manual transmission ever came factory. The AWD transfer case from what I have read had too much slop in it, this isn't noticeable with an auto but, put a direct drive into it from a clutch and 5-speed and it would be very noticeable. At least this is what i have read, no personal experience to back that up.

 

[HARSH-R/T]

As gnarly of a set-up as that sounds, no that's not what I'm going with. I'm going 2wd all the way, the closest I would go to a manual awd set-up is get a durango r/t thats awd, and drop a manual valve body in the automatic tranny that they have. That would be the only thing I'd attempt but the problem is, I don't believe they hold up to high hp/tq numbers, and they are heavy and slow.

 

[HARSH-R/T]

Pics bellow, pedals installed and a shot of the truck sitting on stands, yes thats overspray on the inner fender, only bad paint spot on the truck.

Tonight I removed the crossmember and exhaust, all I have to do next unbolt the tranny cooler lines and unbolt the bellhousing from the engine and the automatic ready to be removed!

 

[HARSH-R/T]

automatic is removed! Expect me to put it up for sale soon.

 

[jmaack727]

Moar pix

 

[HARSH-R/T]

I'm trying, right now I have kitty litter soaking up all of the tranny fluid, once I clean it up I'll snap more pics. I'm planning on taking lots of them during the assembly process.

 

[HARSH-R/T]

The 46RE out of my 01' R/T, for sale in the classified section, Yes it's a bit grimmy but I'll clean it up if it sells, the rear main was slowly going so there was some oil around the bellhousing. Tranny has never leaked, has a shift kit installed and newer shift solenoid.

 

[KREWZER]

Where'd u get ur flywheel and how much did u pay for it?

 

[Thegreenone]

pretty sure he had a donor truck

 

[jmaack727]

You can get them from advance or autozone for about 140.00

 

[HARSH-R/T]

I did have a donor truck, but it was only a 3.9l v6 so that flywheel wouldn't work with a 360. I ended buying mine from Advantage Auto, a little local parts store which had what I needed but it was $229.00 before tax and frieght..... Sucks! But advance auto, Napa, carquest, none of those guys had it nor could they order it.

 

[HARSH-R/T]

Almost ready to put the flywheel and clutch on untill I ran into a snag. The OD of the pilot bearing that came with the spec clutch I ordered is too small (1" Dia). Does someone know of an exact sleeve I could buy to use with this bearing or maybe even use a bushing instead? I can't find that specific bearing anywhere.

Any input would be great.
Thanks

 

[Hahns5.2]

Check with your local autoparts store for the pilot bearing bushing (or "sleeve" as you call it). Nobody locally had one and they had to order it for me. I'd imagine it's the same part for a stock 3.9/5.2 NV3500.

 

[HARSH-R/T]

Thanks Hahns, I'll do just that. I did find the correct OD bushing online, but it's got the 3/4" ID so I wouldn't be able to use the bearing. I'll call around ans see what I can come up with. Thanks!

 

[HARSH-R/T]

Called the steelership, they ordered the sleeve or "bushing", should be here tuesday. While I'm waiting on that I cut the hole in my floor pan, drilled holes into my new mounting plate on the rear of the tranny, and then bolted in the mount itself. Hopefully next weekend I can bolt in the flywheel, clutch assy, tranny and crossmember. I'm getting excited now!