V8 Manual Transmission Options

[Rickyd]

What is your tire size and what will you use it for?

Cruising? Throttle down in the sand or mud? Do you need a granny gear?

Like you I'd probably skip the dump truck transmissions. Adapting an ax15 would probably be at the top of my list.

Keep in mind the truck manual trans ls motors have a crank that sticks out .400" more than the autos when you source a flywheel

 

[Shank]

What is your tire size and what will you use it for?

Currently on 33’s. I don’t see myself doing any ridiculous trails. More easy/scenic passes that really won’t be all that taxing on anything. It will primarily be on the road.

I could maybe see 35’s max in the future. If I plan to do any difficult stuff I will likely switch (but preferably have a dedicated auto rig).

 

[Rickyd]

Currently on 33’s. I don’t see myself doing any ridiculous trails. More easy/scenic passes that really won’t be all that taxing on anything. It will primarily be on the road.

I could maybe see 35’s max in the future. If I plan to do any difficult stuff I will likely switch (but preferably have a dedicated auto rig).

In that case some flavor of nv35xx or ax15 would suite you just fine.

 

[Shank]

In that case some flavor of nv35xx or ax15 would suite you just fine.

Thank you, I think that is likely the route for now. Since I’m planning to run a 231/ keep it mild, everything will be “similarly” rated. If I decide to go more extreme, new transmission, transfer case, and axles will be necessary.

 

[Rickyd]

If you have a Dana 35 consider a super 35 kit. Stock shafts are pretty weak

 

[Shank]

If you have a Dana 35 consider a super 35 kit. Stock shafts are pretty weak

44 rear 30 front in an LJ. I think it will be ok if you are nice to it.

Realistically, an Nv3xxx or AX15, 231, and stock axles will all be a good mate if not abused.

I also agree with previous posters, an auto will be future if somehow we deem more extreme trails are necessary.

 

[Wildman]

When you get ready to do the swap make sure you start a build thread so that was all can follow along. Be nice to see a LS & manual swap since most are an auto tranny.
I know you mentioned the Chevy NV3500 are the ratios in it similar to what's in the Dodge trucks with one? A hybrd NV3500 might be an option too?
But honestly if you were to go this route I think the Chevy/Jeep NP231 would be a good choice.
Look forward to see this come together.

 

[machoheadgames]

The wife and I really enjoy having a manual vehicle. I am familiar with the 6L80's, her Yukon has one.




It really is likely the go to. I think purely from a strength aspect your options are the NV4500, the TR-4050, and the Nissan transmission. I suppose I need to talk to the wife and decide what our plans for this are. We really enjoy traveling out west but have yet to drive there (and may not have time to drive there for years). Then at what point do you just plan for an Atlas, New axles, etc....

Absolutely love the Frontier’s 6 speed, but like you said the tcase is a problem and I’m surprised there’s even an adapter for that. I wonder what clutch it would use. That trans has small clutch splines instead of the big splines that a typical transmission has. The Nissan trans also since it’s so heavy duty has a huge body (it takes over 4.5 qts of fluid!) Thing is a beast, but it doesn’t really seem practical for a Jeep application, as awesome as it would be….it would be difficult to get setup. Fitting it into the tub probably would not be a treat either.

 

[Shank]

When you get ready to do the swap make sure you start a build thread so that was all can follow along. Be nice to see a LS & manual swap since most are an auto tranny.
I know you mentioned the Chevy NV3500 are the ratios in it similar to what's in the Dodge trucks with one? A hybrd NV3500 might be an option too?
But honestly if you were to go this route I think the Chevy/Jeep NP231 would be a good choice.
Look forward to see this come together.

Yes, Full size dodge and GM are the same ratios.
I've been contemplating sourcing a 2wd GM trans (easier to find) and a 4x4 Jeep trans and make a hybrid.

Will do on the thread when the time comes. Going to be slow, have quite a bit of house remodeling to do...

Absolutely love the Frontier’s 6 speed, but like you said the tcase is a problem and I’m surprised there’s even an adapter for that. I wonder what clutch it would use. That trans has small clutch splines instead of the big splines that a typical transmission has. The Nissan trans also since it’s so heavy duty has a huge body (it takes over 4.5 qts of fluid!) Thing is a beast, but it doesn’t really seem practical for a Jeep application, as awesome as it would be….it would be difficult to get setup. Fitting it into the tub probably would not be a treat either.

I'm glad you commented on this. I have yet to do extensive research into it and wondered if it would even be feasible. It seems like all around it really wouldn't be.

 

[machoheadgames]

View attachment 401016
Yes, Full size dodge and GM are the same ratios.
I've been contemplating sourcing a 2wd GM trans (easier to find) and a 4x4 Jeep trans and make a hybrid.

Will do on the thread when the time comes. Going to be slow, have quite a bit of house remodeling to do...




I'm glad you commented on this. I have yet to do extensive research into it and wondered if it would even be feasible. It seems like all around it really wouldn't be.

You have an LJ, so at least driveline length is on your side. The transmission case is pretty large so it may be a bear to fit into the transmission tunnel, but it may not hinder the success of the project.

For transfer cases, you MIGHT be able to use the Frontier TX15 transfer case but you'd need an electric shift knob and the 4WD module and it's still up in the air on whether or not it would work, because the 4WD module uses CANBUS to talk to all the other control modules in the vehicle. For example, it gets a speed reading from the ABS module over CAN to make sure you're not going more than about 60mph or so before it would shift. IF it didn't truly require speed reading to operate, then I think you could get it to work.

Atlas could be an option, I believe they make a transfercase that works on the Nissan 6 speed. Looks like Rugged Rocks sells a builder that lets you choose the options that could work. Of course, it will not be cheap.

AX15 is a great transmission that will hold up if you are not absolutely brutal to it. The only downside is that the ratios of a 6 speed are nicer, but that matters less with V8 power.

 

[Shank]

You have an LJ, so at least driveline length is on your side. The transmission case is pretty large so it may be a bear to fit into the transmission tunnel, but it may not hinder the success of the project.

For transfer cases, you MIGHT be able to use the Frontier TX15 transfer case but you'd need an electric shift knob and the 4WD module and it's still up in the air on whether or not it would work, because the 4WD module uses CANBUS to talk to all the other control modules in the vehicle. For example, it gets a speed reading from the ABS module over CAN to make sure you're not going more than about 60mph or so before it would shift. IF it didn't truly require speed reading to operate, then I think you could get it to work.

Atlas could be an option, I believe they make a transfercase that works on the Nissan 6 speed. Looks like Rugged Rocks sells a builder that lets you choose the options that could work. Of course, it will not be cheap.

AX15 is a great transmission that will hold up if you are not absolutely brutal to it. The only downside is that the ratios of a 6 speed are nicer, but that matters less with V8 power.

I'm sure there is a way with enough time, research, etc to make the Frontier Tcase work, but I am not certain that is really logical for me or not.

Atlas definitely could be an option, it's future proof too.

AX15, is it really a lot better than the NV3500? It seems it has far more support. I think it would hold up fine to what I'm doing.

I'm sure at some point the JL Aisin D478 will have a kit coming to adapt to a GM motor sooner or later.

 

[machoheadgames]

I'm sure there is a way with enough time, research, etc to make the Frontier Tcase work, but I am not certain that is really logical for me or not.

Atlas definitely could be an option, it's future proof too.

AX15, is it really a lot better than the NV3500? It seems it has far more support. I think it would hold up fine to what I'm doing.

I'm sure at some point the JL Aisin D478 will have a kit coming to adapt to a GM motor sooner or later.

The benefits of the AX15 over the NV3550/3500 is that the AX15 is still made new today, in it's strongest version. Last I heard it's meant for up to 385 ft-lbs of torque. The NV series has practically no support anymore. Also I like the ratios of the AX better. It does have a taller 1st, which some don't like, but the reverse is far better at 4.22 vs 3.5. The rest of the gears are all the same for a Jeeps intents and purposes, they're all within a few thousand decimal points of each other. The AX is also known to be a more smooth shifting option other than reverse not being synchronized.

 

[ColoJeep]

Another vote for the AX-15. We have both the NV3550 and the AX-15 in TJ's . The AX-15 is the superior trans for the long haul.
The NV3550 sounds like a marble in the garbage disposal . The T-56 modded is an intriguing idea , Personally I could love the SM-420 since it would gain rear
drive shaft length in a TJ and have a killer 1st gear crawl ratio. All the naysayers have likely only owned automatics , let alone a pickup with a 4 spd.
To each his own. Good luck with your quest , it will be a cool , fun Jeep when done !

 

[Shank]

The benefits of the AX15 over the NV3550/3500 is that the AX15 is still made new today, in it's strongest version. Last I heard it's meant for up to 385 ft-lbs of torque. The NV series has practically no support anymore. Also I like the ratios of the AX better. It does have a taller 1st, which some don't like, but the reverse is far better at 4.22 vs 3.5. The rest of the gears are all the same for a Jeeps intents and purposes, they're all within a few thousand decimal points of each other. The AX is also known to be a more smooth shifting option other than reverse not being synchronized.

Interesting. I was likely thinking of going with a used AX15 (or if I could find the illusive v8 AR5... if that even exists), but brand new sounds rather appealing.

Anyway, I don't hate the idea of a Quickdraw adapter kit and a used (or possibly new) AX15.

Another vote for the AX-15. We have both the NV3550 and the AX-15 in TJ's . The AX-15 is the superior trans for the long haul.
The NV3550 sounds like a marble in the garbage disposal . The T-56 modded is an intriguing idea , Personally I could love the SM-420 since it would gain rear
drive shaft length in a TJ and have a killer 1st gear crawl ratio. All the naysayers have likely only owned automatics , let alone a pickup with a 4 spd.
To each his own. Good luck with your quest , it will be a cool , fun Jeep when done !

I think that's the way to go. Sourcing a GM NV3500 is a bit of a challenge and not much of a savings if it isn't as good of a transmission. T-56 would be really intriguing for sure, but I don't think it's necessary.

 

[Rickyd]

Interesting. I was likely thinking of going with a used AX15 (or if I could find the illusive v8 AR5... if that even exists), but brand new sounds rather appealing.

Anyway, I don't hate the idea of a Quickdraw adapter kit and a used (or possibly new) AX15.




T-56 would be really intriguing for sure, but I don't think it's necessary.

You'd need to run 5.38 gears with your 33s to use a double overdrive trans like a t56

 

[Rickyd]

If you wanted total overkill in a 6 speed and no adapters the zf s6-650 is a beast.a huge,heavy,nice shifting beast able to handle over 1000hp diesel power.....

Get ready to cut a giant swath making room for it though,lol.its almost as tall as the bellhousing pattern.
I love it behind my built duramax,downshift and spin the tires at 70! Even with a dual disc clutch its light years ahead of the nv4500 in my 70 k20 for shift quality.

 

[Zorba]

If you wanted total overkill in a 6 speed and no adapters the zf s6-650 is a beast.a huge,heavy,nice shifting beast able to handle over 1000hp diesel power.....
View attachment 401052

View attachment 401054

Get ready to cut a giant swath making room for it though,lol.its almost as tall as the bellhousing pattern.
I love it behind my built duramax,downshift and spin the tires at 70! Even with a dual disc clutch its light years ahead of the nv4500 in my 70 k20 for shift quality.

Looks pretty impressive. Although I'd like a 1st gear considerably lower, its still better than most semi-modern transmissions with 4.x 1st gears.

 

[Shank]

If you wanted total overkill in a 6 speed and no adapters the zf s6-650 is a beast.a huge,heavy,nice shifting beast able to handle over 1000hp diesel power.....
View attachment 401052

View attachment 401054

Get ready to cut a giant swath making room for it though,lol.its almost as tall as the bellhousing pattern.
I love it behind my built duramax,downshift and spin the tires at 70! Even with a dual disc clutch its light years ahead of the nv4500 in my 70 k20 for shift quality.

If it's anywhere as big as the Allison in my LML I think I'll have to pass

 

[Rickyd]

If it's anywhere as big as the Allison in my LML I think I'll have to pass

Yeah i wouldn't even consider one in a jeep.Been a while since I've had one next to an allison,I think the allison is wider at the pan but the zf is much taller.

 

[Rickyd]

Looks pretty impressive. Although I'd like a 1st gear considerably lower, its still better than most semi-modern transmissions with 4.x 1st gears.

You mean like one of these 10 speeds with 10:1 first?

They're only 5-600lbs....