matt123

Unless your truck is something really special, another and probably the best option if you insist you need a manual trans is selling your truck and buying another. The manuals aren't real common but if you save a little money and can be without a truck for a week or two you can probably sells your truck and find a 5spd truck. maybe upgrade to a 2500 or one in better condition.

in my opinion there is no reason to go through all the head ache of finding a swapping all the parts to go manual. to do a good clean swap you will need: brake and clutch pedals and brackets clutch master and slave cylinder transmission, bell housing, clutch, flywheel. clutch lines steering column and instrument panel from a manual truck, transfer case may interchange but will need drive lines. Computer will need changed. cross member usually needs changed I think its only reasonable to swap if: A: you have a parts truck that will have everything you need B: its a offroad toy or beater and you dont care about the little things. The trans you would be swaping in is a nv3500. Its a okay transmission but not really that tough. It was used in s10, jeep, and light duty full size. It you wanted something tougher you better option would be a nv4500 (its a 5 speed but first gear is granny low, so its good for off roading but really only has 4 usable gears) these came in the 3/4 and 1 tons. another option would be a borg warner t5. They are tough and common to find, how ever I dont know if they were available in 4wd vehicles, so you may have to make a adapter for the tcase. The gm automatics are all quite strong and if you do break one replacements are cheap. Through a shift kit in it and a extra transcooler and you probably wont ever need another one. If you really feel that you need something stronger I would recommend upgrading to a 4l80e auto, they will be easier to find all the needed parts to swap and will be less work.