Jump to content

Is converting to manual possible?

Joanna

By Joanna
in Engines & Drivetrain

 Share

Recommended Posts

Joanna Enthusiast

Joanna

Posted
Posted

I am wondering if it’s possible to convert the 14 gmc to a manual transmission? My truck has 150,000 miles currently. And my transmission is acting up again. This will be the 5 th transmission in this truck. 6L80E is the biggest piece of junk ever made. 

CamGTP Senior Enthusiast

CamGTP

Posted
Posted

Not knowing the history on who is putting in these transmissions and how you drive the truck, some of this could be self inflicted. Like if you put in used transmission or you had a "shop" do rebuilds for you. Always use a GM transmissions or buy a built transmission from a company with skin in the game. Also never run the stock 6L80e converter again, get a billet torque converter that won't break like the stock units do.

 

 

And to answer the manual question. Sure, anything is possible but good luck making it work. You can convert it to manual but you're going to spend way more money, way more time and you better know what you are doing. These trucks never came with a manual, so nothing exists as far as swap in and go parts. You'd be piecing it all together from various manual transmissions from cars. Then you have to figure out how to make the truck happy now that it doesn't have an automatic transmission anymore. Can't really just tune it when that combo never existed, so you can't just change the calibration file to make it work.

  • Thanks 1
Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, CamGTP said:

Not knowing the history on who is putting in these transmissions and how you drive the truck, some of this could be self inflicted. Like if you put in used transmission or you had a "shop" do rebuilds for you. Always use a GM transmissions or buy a built transmission from a company with skin in the game. Also never run the stock 6L80e converter again, get a billet torque converter that won't break like the stock units do.

 

 

And to answer the manual question. Sure, anything is possible but good luck making it work. You can convert it to manual but you're going to spend way more money, way more time and you better know what you are doing. These trucks never came with a manual, so nothing exists as far as swap in and go parts. You'd be piecing it all together from various manual transmissions from cars. Then you have to figure out how to make the truck happy now that it doesn't have an automatic transmission anymore. Can't really just tune it when that combo never existed, so you can't just change the calibration file to make it work.

 

Was not the manual transmission an option in Mexico in early K2's? 😉 

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

Yes it’s possible. But you have to either be ok with high labor costs to have someone else do it. Or do it yourself. As far as the automatic transmission problems. There’s rebuilders out there that warranty their work. With the amount of problems stated with the miles presented. Indicates to be the problem is with the process not the product. 

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, KARNUT said:

Yes it’s possible. But you have to either be ok with high labor costs to have someone else do it. Or do it yourself. As far as the automatic transmission problems. There’s rebuilders out there that warranty their work. With the amount of problems stated with the miles presented. Indicates to be the problem is with the process not the product. 

 

I had a TH700-R that would fail about twice a year for two years running. Dealership rebuilds. I found a guy who drag raced a roadster that used one. I let him rebuild it. BINGO. Ran to the grave with that build a decade later and over 300K on the vehicle. Agreed. Not always the parts. 

  • Like 2
CamGTP Senior Enthusiast

CamGTP

Posted
Posted

If a K2 truck did, it was probably a 4.3 truck and not a V8 truck but that would need research.

 

A US calibration file likely still doesn't exist and if it's for a 4.3 and not a V8, it still wouldn't work. I'm sure there are work arounds like using a Camaro operating system but then other things in the truck won't jive with a car OS and things like that.

  • Like 1
Joanna Enthusiast

Joanna

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 8/14/2024 at 12:02 AM, CamGTP said:

Not knowing the history on who is putting in these transmissions and how you drive the truck, some of this could be self inflicted. Like if you put in used transmission or you had a "shop" do rebuilds for you. Always use a GM transmissions or buy a built transmission from a company with skin in the game. Also never run the stock 6L80e converter again, get a billet torque converter that won't break like the stock units do.

 

 

And to answer the manual question. Sure, anything is possible but good luck making it work. You can convert it to manual but you're going to spend way more money, way more time and you better know what you are doing. These trucks never came with a manual, so nothing exists as far as swap in and go parts. You'd be piecing it all together from various manual transmissions from cars. Then you have to figure out how to make the truck happy now that it doesn't have an automatic transmission anymore. Can't really just tune it when that combo never existed, so you can't just change the calibration file to make it work.

The truck I bought used from a Chevy dealership, they informed me the transmission had been replaced, well 3 months later I had to pay a transmission shop to rebuild it. With a new converter. 7 months later it went out again. I bought a new transmission with converter. It’s lasted about 30,000 miles. I was informed the torque converter is only guaranteed for 12,000 miles or 12 months. So if it fails after warranty. Then the transmission is not covered. Due to failure being torque converter.  So it’s a catch 22 to say. 
 

but to convert I understand it’s going to be some what of a challenge. If the ecu and Bcm can not be reprogrammed. Then a stand alone fuel system would need to be installed, and gauge clusters would need to changed along with redoing the wiring to control the modules on the bcm. Fabrication of the clutch pedal and a shifter would be the easiest part. Just need to find a manual that will allow the transfer case to bolt too. Or do I need to find a divorce transfer case. I am aware of the work I have restored many of vehicles. And have degrees in mechanics and metal fabrication, and other processes too. And also a lab assistant in the automotive courses at a college I work at. 

CamGTP Senior Enthusiast

CamGTP

Posted
Posted (edited)

If possible when getting a rebuilt transmission, always use an aftermarket converter with a billet parts, that way it can't fail again.

 

And yeah, to my knowledge there is no operating system for a truck with a V8 manual in a K2 truck. I have yet to see a build and never seen anyone on the HP Tuner forums get a file that exists for a swap like that. I still think it's possible with a Camaro operating system but again some things will not function anymore in the truck because the PCM/BCM and ABS systems would be able to talk with each correctly anymore.

 

I know for sure you can run a Holley System to control the engine and have a new dash with that. But making the auto 4X4 and brake stuff work is going to be a task and might not even be possible.

Edited by CamGTP
  • Like 1
Joanna Enthusiast

Joanna

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 8/19/2024 at 6:51 PM, CamGTP said:

If possible when getting a rebuilt transmission, always use an aftermarket converter with a billet parts, that way it can't fail again.

 

And yeah, to my knowledge there is no operating system for a truck with a V8 manual in a K2 truck. I have yet to see a build and never seen anyone on the HP Tuner forums get a file that exists for a swap like that. I still think it's possible with a Camaro operating system but again some things will not function anymore in the truck because the PCM/BCM and ABS systems would be able to talk with each correctly anymore.

 

I know for sure you can run a Holley System to control the engine and have a new dash with that. But making the auto 4X4 and brake stuff work is going to be a task and might not even be possible.

Getting the fuel system to run the engine isn’t that big of an issue. ABS not that big of a concern really either, if there isn’t away to get abs to work no big deal. Transfer case can be possible put on a separate electrical system. Not having auto 4x4 is no big deal. I have never ever used auto 4x4. I switch it when I need it. And if the transfer case won’t work. It’s no big deal to install a manual transfer case. The only concern is which manual transmission will fit what transfer cases. It’s also possible I can make a lot of the systems to work with a donor wiring harness and pcm and bcm. 

MikeBMW Senior Enthusiast

MikeBMW

Posted
Posted (edited)

You want a manual? Just put it in tow mode and run up and down the gears of the butons on the shifter?
I, mean, unless you're really into three pedal driving, go for it! I'd like to see more!

Edited by MikeBMW
  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Joanna Enthusiast

Joanna

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 8/22/2024 at 12:12 AM, MikeBMW said:

You want a manual? Just put it in tow mode and run up and down the gears of the butons on the shifter?
I, mean, unless you're really into three pedal driving, go for it! I'd like to see more!

I love 3 pedals. Drove a semi for a few decades. But my main reasons in changing to a manual, is the constant transmission failures in this truck. To replace it again will the 5th transmission so far with a 150,000 miles. The last transmission lasted about 28,000 miles, the one before it was less than 10,000 and the shop would not stand behind their work. And since I don’t know when it was replaced before I bought the truck. All I know is the dealer said the transmission was replaced before. But the transmission went out 3 months of me owning the truck and the dealer wanted 8000.00 to fix it. So I had it rebuild at a local shop which did not last, for 3400.00. So no I am not a fan of automatic. 

  • Like 2
Buckwild27 Enthusiast

Buckwild27

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Joanna said:

I love 3 pedals. Drove a semi for a few decades. But my main reasons in changing to a manual, is the constant transmission failures in this truck. To replace it again will the 5th transmission so far with a 150,000 miles. The last transmission lasted about 28,000 miles, the one before it was less than 10,000 and the shop would not stand behind their work. And since I don’t know when it was replaced before I bought the truck. All I know is the dealer said the transmission was replaced before. But the transmission went out 3 months of me owning the truck and the dealer wanted 8000.00 to fix it. So I had it rebuild at a local shop which did not last, for 3400.00. So no I am not a fan of automatic. 

The shift lever might have a few zig zags in it to come out in the right place. 

  • Like 1
Joanna Enthusiast

Joanna

Posted
  • Author
Posted
16 hours ago, Homewrecker007 said:

The shift lever might have a few zig zags in it to come out in the right place. 

Yeah that’s expected but that’s just metal fabrication. Something that I already know how to do. 

  • 9 months later...
Buckwild27 Enthusiast

Buckwild27

Posted
Posted

Look into getting a transmission from the 2005+ Nissan Xterra or Frontier. Manual 6 speed they make adapter kits to mount to the Lt motor. 

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,965
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    DaleB
    Newest Member
    DaleB
    Joined

  • Who's Online   3 Members, 1 Anonymous, 1,533 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Atlas
      Wow I'm in a pickle. (Broke down truck) and a story.

      By Atlas · Posted

      I ordered the Snap On...waiting for it to come in later this week or early next week.   New front cover, new crank seal and new balancer are on. Water pump, pulley, fan, hoses, and plastics reinstalled. I can move forward knowing all my timing marks are dead on and the front engine is hopefully sealed better than it was. Take 2 with the water pump...trying high temp thread sealer on the lower bolts.   Rebuilt injector and new-new regulator is in, it looks like new. Top intake reassembled and all the bits are reconnected and snugged down.   Thinking about knock sensors again, I located both of mine and, there's your problem, Francis... The driver's side one is broke, plastic is bashed in, part of the wire is bare, and it appears to have been damaged like that for a long time. I saw the wire but didn't think anything of it. The knock sensor might not be my pulled timing issue, but it sure looks suspect. It must still be conducting, otherwise I'd expect a CEL. But perhaps with its sacred crystal inside exposed, jilted and dirty, maybe it's sending mixed signals. So I'm waiting for one of those and a new pigtail to come in. Pass side sensor looks good, except for the spark plug wire resting on it (!). The plug wires are healthy so it shouldn't be causing an issue, but I separated them and added zip ties to nearby looms to keep everything well apart.   So, I'm down to installing a knock sensor AND, oh, replacing the exhaust and cat. I actually think that's going to be fairly easy, it's all bolt-together, all new stuff from Walker is laid out on the shop floor ready to go. Hopefully have this thing on the road again for the weekend.   My luck? It will still be leaking oil, coolant, pulled timing, intermittent CEL for running rich, or it probably won't run at all -- because that's how this project has gone.   I've never worked on a vehicle so ...hurt? ...cursed? in my life. Everything has been effed with SO HARD, but I think...knock on wood...I've managed to undo all the backyard stuff and we're almost reset back to "just" an 80k mile, 30 year old Blazer.
    • PunchT37
      Would this CV Shaft be bad?

      By PunchT37 · Posted

      Yes. You need to check out that thing, and the hub further.
    • anthony2558
      Would this CV Shaft be bad?

      By anthony2558 · Posted

      Would this be normal or a worn CV Shaft? 51K miles 3.5" lift? Boots are intact and no visible leaks showing. Attached is a the video I took. Thanks     https://youtu.be/ZnW7PPRmjJY?feature=shared    
    • Jsdirt
      2010 Avalanche 5.3 not running correctly after engine swap.

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      If everything checks out at the MAF, then the MAF is BAD, new or not.   You don't need a signal generator to troubleshoot this. PCM needs ALL powers and ALL grounds able to light a halogen headlight bulb - if it can light the bulb bright, then the wiring is good enough to run the PCM.   Best thing you can do for yourself is spend some time here: scannerdanner.com - Check out all his YouTube videos on similar issues. If you decide to subscribe it's the best bang-for-buck ratio in the automotive world, hands-down. He's got TONS of free vids on YouTube, too.
    • Tyler Gibbs
      PF63 Oil Filters Going Away?

      By Tyler Gibbs · Posted

      You got that Hengst D110??

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...