i have an 89 extra cab with a shot motor and an auto. i was wanting to swap it for a 5-speed but didn`t really know how hard or what mods needed to be made. or should i just leave it an auto.

 

Auto's suck, do a 5 speed swap, not sure what it entails, but It ain't that hard on a 5.0 Mustang!

 

You will need and ECU for a manual trans as well as wiring for a manual trans. Hopefully you can get what you need from the trans. donor vehicle.
What motor do you have now?
I prefer autos for off-road. Manuals give more zip around town and on the highway, just my opinion. We all have different usage requirements.

 

You do not need and ECU for a manual transmission or the wiring either, you will need a clutch and fly wheel, clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder, the hard line to hook them up, and a clutch peddle. as for the wiring all you need to do is bypass the neutral saftey switch plug by installing a jumper wire.

 

The auto is a slug. 5 spd swap is not that bad and parts are readily available to do it.

Try Davez Off Road Performance.

 

I would think that a ECU from an auto would have issues if the VSS inputs for the auto aren't there anymore? As well as gear position from the gear selector.
Yes the autos are slow but if you want street fast install a Chev. motor. and trans........... I like the slow predictable power from the auto when going slow, and around town it's not a big hinderance.
If I want big power I'll drive my Dodge 3500 Cummins or my Dodge Daytona R/T Charger. Life is good.

 

If his truck has a 22RE engine there won`t be any problems concerning the VSS, my cousin converted his 86 4Runner with a 22RE engine to a manual transmission and had no problems at all, and were getting ready to convert my 86 4Runner to manual also. if he has a 3.0 engine i have no clue as to what needs to be done.

 

5 speed all the way. The autos are tough but sucky for power. I did my diesel and it was nothing. You need a pedal bracket assy, master/slave cylinders and flywheel/clutch.

 

Automatics are for women.

Do the swap.

 

put ur a/t to work til it expire b4 swaping to 5sp.

 

I guess that's why 5.0 auto 'stang LX's were quicker than 5.0 manual GT's... (CHP chose the automatic LX 'stangs over stick GT's because they were quicker and faster, go figure eh)... and why GM chose an auto for the GNx over a stick: it was quicker than any factory stick 'vette off the line and faster to boot (yeah, the v8 got the boot from the v6).
On the other hand... the fact that it is easier to control the application of torque with an automatic while simultaneously applying the accelerator and brakes: something that really needs 3 feet to do with a stick shift, seems to make anything more than really slow creeping gear ratios almost a moot point.
On the other hand, I don't rock climb. However that doesn't change the fact that my stock 84 chrysler laser 3sp auto turbo spanked my bud's stock 85 dodge manual 5sp daytona turbo z in 1/4. So I guess auto's do suck- the power away from comparable machines.

 

i have a 3.0.. what about the transfer case are they the same or will i need one for the 5-spd

 

and i also plan to swap in a 3.4