Swapping out an auto for a stick - '98 Ranger

Steve g. · 06-13-2009, 09:19 AM

Hey guys, the tranny on our ranger is "going".... So we are plannig on putting a stick in it when it does.

Is it possible to put a stick in a ranger without spending a fortune?

What all is invloved in doing this swap?

The truck is a '98 ranger ext. cab, over 100k on it, it's on its second engine and we've beat the tar out of the truck since day one.

Thanks,
Steve

gmctrucks · 06-13-2009, 09:41 AM

I say change filter & fluid and add a can of Lucas trans additive the stuff is gold and it might save you tons of cash now thinking about it you might add a can of some trans flush before then do what I wrote. Take my word the stuff is good...what you don't believe in them well it fixed our SUV and even the trans shop said to add it. Till don't believe me wait for others to chime in. I just PM you.

Correction-Seafoam is the name of it just look where the trans oil is at the parts store. Sorry.

bradrhale · 06-13-2009, 09:46 AM

there is an extreme amount of work involved in this. new pedal assembly, cutting holes in the floor pan, new driveshaft to allot for the difference in length of the tranny. you would probably be ahead if you went with a new tranny or bought another ranger that comes with a stick shift.

uranium67 · 06-13-2009, 08:56 PM

Its actually not as bad as it seems, im doing the same thing, swapping an automatic for a stick. As long as you know what to get, good tools, and patience, its a no brainer. The only scary part is doing modifications yourself, such as mentioned before, cutting holes and what not. Things to look for when swapping are bell housings, transmisisons, clutch kit, and if necassary a longer/shorter driveshaft.

mudseeker · 06-13-2009, 09:21 PM

please stay away from mechanic in a can stuff. a guy at school just blew up the 383 in his caprice by using seafoam and hydro-locking it. if you don't maintain things, don't expect a can to fix it.

as far as the trans swap, you may need to flash the PCM to get rid of any MIL's from it trying to talk to a non-existant auto trans.

bradrhale · 06-13-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudseeker

as far as the trans swap, you may need to flash the PCM to get rid of any MIL's from it trying to talk to a non-existant auto trans.

mother-in-laws??

mudseeker · 06-13-2009, 10:04 PM

malfunction indicator light.

gmctrucks · 06-14-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudseeker

please stay away from mechanic in a can stuff. a guy at school just blew up the 383 in his caprice by using seafoam and hydro-locking it. if you don't maintain things, don't expect a can to fix it.

as far as the trans swap, you may need to flash the PCM to get rid of any MIL's from it trying to talk to a non-existant auto trans.

Yes it can hydro-lock a engine if not added in correct. But for the cost it just might fix the trans. Plus I guess nobody here has never added a can of stop leak and it worked like to a power steering pump? I added a can of stop leak to this Duster we had the power steering pump was leaking so bad that it would leave a puddle everywhere well I added the can and it fixed the problem ASAP so it was much cheaper than replacing the whole pump. Plus if your trans is shelling out like ours was what more can it do to it if it's messed up already. Like I wrote it fixed our trans maybe you might get lucky as well if you use mechanic in a can instead of spending money. Plus im only trying to save you some money.
Good luck! GMC

Trans Tune - Sea Foam

delco top engine cleaner - Yahoo! Search Results More info of mechanic in a can I guess the engineers that invented/tested this stuff where dumb but making that big money and it worked instead of taking a whole engine apart to clean up carbon that all cars/trucks get no matter what one does. Just my two cents.

Case 7230 · 06-14-2009, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmctrucks

I say change filter & fluid and add a can of Lucas trans additive the stuff is gold and it might save you tons of cash now thinking about it you might add a can of some trans flush before then do what I wrote. Take my word the stuff is good...what you don't believe in them well it fixed our SUV and even the trans shop said to add it. Till don't believe me wait for others to chime in. I just PM you.

Correction-Seafoam is the name of it just look where the trans oil is at the parts store. Sorry.

Couldn`t agree more on the Lucas.
As for Seafoam and hydralocked engine if you don`t follow the directions on a pack of asprin it can kill you.

gmctrucks · 06-14-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Case 7230

Couldn`t agree more on the Lucas.
As for Seafoam and hydralocked engine if you don`t follow the directions on a pack of asprin it can kill you.

That's what im talking about.

Thanks! GMC

06-13-2009, 09:19 AM	#1
Steve g. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 245	Swapping out an auto for a stick - '98 Ranger Hey guys, the tranny on our ranger is "going".... So we are plannig on putting a stick in it when it does. Is it possible to put a stick in a ranger without spending a fortune? What all is invloved in doing this swap? The truck is a '98 ranger ext. cab, over 100k on it, it's on its second engine and we've beat the tar out of the truck since day one. Thanks, Steve Last edited by mudseeker; 06-18-2009 at 08:41 AM. Reason: edited by request

06-13-2009, 09:41 AM	#2
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 3,948	I say change filter & fluid and add a can of Lucas trans additive the stuff is gold and it might save you tons of cash now thinking about it you might add a can of some trans flush before then do what I wrote. Take my word the stuff is good...what you don't believe in them well it fixed our SUV and even the trans shop said to add it. Till don't believe me wait for others to chime in. I just PM you. Correction-Seafoam is the name of it just look where the trans oil is at the parts store. Sorry. Last edited by gmctrucks; 06-13-2009 at 09:47 AM. Reason: Correction

06-13-2009, 09:21 PM	#5
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,317	please stay away from mechanic in a can stuff. a guy at school just blew up the 383 in his caprice by using seafoam and hydro-locking it. if you don't maintain things, don't expect a can to fix it. as far as the trans swap, you may need to flash the PCM to get rid of any MIL's from it trying to talk to a non-existant auto trans. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

06-13-2009, 10:04 PM	#7
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,317	malfunction indicator light. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

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06-13-2009, 09:46 AM	#3
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 7,831	there is an extreme amount of work involved in this. new pedal assembly, cutting holes in the floor pan, new driveshaft to allot for the difference in length of the tranny. you would probably be ahead if you went with a new tranny or bought another ranger that comes with a stick shift.

06-13-2009, 08:56 PM	#4
uranium67 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Good ol' San Diego Posts: 89	Its actually not as bad as it seems, im doing the same thing, swapping an automatic for a stick. As long as you know what to get, good tools, and patience, its a no brainer. The only scary part is doing modifications yourself, such as mentioned before, cutting holes and what not. Things to look for when swapping are bell housings, transmisisons, clutch kit, and if necassary a longer/shorter driveshaft.

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