2006 Dodge 2500 Megacab 4wd - NV273 Manual Shift Conversion

[nvrenuf]

This is my daily driver that I’ve had since it was new, I thought I had started a thread on it way back but I guess not. The truck is equipped as follows;

5.9 CTD, G56 6spd, NV273, AAM 9.5 & 11.5 axles w/ 3.73’s on 35’s. (220k currently)

The truck is 90% stock now but I have plans to add a leveling kit and rear air bags (thanks to @83ChevyK5Blazer) this summer.

 

[nvrenuf]

The reason for creating this thread…

Many 3rd gen Dodges with electric shift tcases have issues with them randomly shifting into ANY range - yes, it’s as bad as you are imagining. I discovered mine had shifted into 4hi (luckily not low) at a horse show 8 years ago. At the time, I unplugged the actuator and removed the front driveshaft until I could get it fixed. After lots of research I found that this problem is a lot like death wobble, more than one possible cause instead of a single problem. I think the problem is rooted in the body computer but I’m not buying one to find out, to this day if I splash through heavy water I get SVC 4WD and/or range indicators as if I had shifted the tcase.

Fast forward to this year, I found a guy on eBay making NV273 manual shift conversion kits for Fords. I contacted the seller and talked him in to modifying the kit to fit the Dodge version of the tcase (splined selector shaft instead of round with 2 flats on the Ford).

Here’s the kit from "wildhorsemfg1" on eBay, there are several foreign sellers of similar kits but this kit is made in the USA.

 

[fourwheelerjeff]

 

[nvrenuf]

Pics of the kit in

 

[nvrenuf]

I was pleasantly surprised to find the floor already had a shifter hole with a block off plate which surprised me considering Megacab’s were all electric shift. The shifter assembly was a direct bolt in.

 

[nvrenuf]

I cut the hook off of the tcase end of the linkage rod and threaded it for a little rod end.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Nice, finally getting it done!

 

[nvrenuf]

The finished product looks perfect, the only thing left to do is replace the pattern insert in the shifter knob. I’d like to see if a replacement could be 3-D printed with the correct/new pattern or worst case use a Durango insert which for some reason is blank.

I’ve read that unplugging the dash switch will trigger more warning chimes and lights (I already get one because of the unplugged actuator) so I stashed it behind the HVAC control head and installed a cubby in its place.

 

[max 02]

Nice job!
What is the console out of? Second gen?

 

[nvrenuf]

Nice job!
What is the console out of? Second gen?

The console is original to the truck, most of the trucks I’ve seen don’t have anything on the floor there so it may be a 6spd thing. The skinny slot where the tcase shifter is used to have a 2” deep “catch all” tray the same shape as the boot so they interchanged perfectly.

Edit: the console may also be related to rear a/c, there is a duct hidden under the console for vent registers at the lower rear of the 60/40 front seat.

 

[Truckman4life]

Nice! I was eyeballing that kit for my Super Duty but I got a new shift actuator recently as a "gift" from my work so mine is back to working fine for now.

 

[nvrenuf]

I updated post #2 with the ebay sellers name - "wildhorsemfg1".

Just an fyi, the shift pattern after the conversion is backwards from a manual shift NV271 because the lever is up vs hanging down on a manual shift NV271.

 

[obijuank5]

DANG mega cab g56? I was searching for a very long time before I settled on my normal back doors truck. That is a rare bird right there.

As for the floor trim, my non rear ac 06 has the same setup. It is in some autos and the shifter boot is a square tray instead of the trans shifter. It’s just a trim setup.

 

[nvrenuf]

DANG mega cab g56? I was searching for a very long time before I settled on my normal back doors truck. That is a rare bird right there.

Oh yeah! Every time I go to the Dodge/Jeep dealer for something they want it. lol I wish it was a long bed but I wasn't willing to go to Tx for a conversion.

 

[metalmachine]

Nice finally got it done.

I’ve been having problems with my actuator, and shift motor on the 273 I put into my Duramax. I purchased a manual conversion kit from JB Fab. Haven’t had time to install it yet.

 

[nvrenuf]

Cool, I didn’t know JB Fab had conversion kits. Post up pics when you get it done.

 

[metalmachine]

It’ll be a little while before I get around to it. But I will post up pics once installed.

 

[Fastereddie]

So my buddy has two dodges that need this fix. I messaged the guy from eBay to see what he says. I didn’t see anything on jbfabs site..

 

[metalmachine]

they don’t have anything listed on their site for the 273. You gotta email Jon the owner and he’ll set you up.