Convert auto to manual

Sounds like someone jumped into OO without being quite ready. sdaniel is telling you to gospel. Try getting away from the Pete dealers and talking to some quality mechanics. Throwing 20k to go manual is nuts.

 

One of the problems is that you're dealing with a Stealership, try finding a Independent Transmission Shop that is familiar with swaps and talk to them.

 

I had an 18 auto shift with peddle. Cost me about 2500$ to make it a manual. Had to buy a new case as the auto case was missing one very important hole. Reused most all gears and bearings. Few different sliders. Used to plate and shifter. Pulled ecm and had dealer turn off autoshift. Happier nnow.after removing auto shift wiring I still had harness for speed sensors. Only missing reverse light sensor. And had to hot wire neutral safety solenoid. Pulled transmission myself shop swapped case and gears.

 

Well you didn't know you had a clutch. That tells me you aren't as up on your equipment as you think. What is it doing. Jerking in reverse? That is common on UltraShifts. Very annoying for sure. We have several and that is main complaint. Going forward they are OK. Not as sophisticated as our I Shift Volvos by a long shot. They can outdrive anyone. I was one of the skeptics and have been shown what is capable with a good autoshift. That said you should be able to find a shop or get a referral from someone on here who has had the same work done at a more reasonable rate. If your work doesn't include lots of backing I would probably just grunt it out a while and pad my bank account. A deal may come along for the truck of your dreams in meantime.

 

Pocono Pete is correct in that it cannot be done for a reaonable amount of money. With an electronic engine and manual transmission set up, when you step on the electronic throttle, it tells the engine ECM what you want and the engine computer goes about supplying your needs. However, with an electronic engine and an electronic transmission, which the Ultrashift Plus is, when you step on the electronic throttle, it tells the transmission what you want, and the transmission in turn tells the engine what it needs, then both computers go about supply what you request of it. So, not only do you have to do all of the obvious mechanical work, you also need to reprogram or replace the engine's ECM, and re-wire the majority of the wiring harness to change the system back to a one computer system.
Today's engine/auto-shift transmission packages are put together to increase fuel efficiency. They are designed to take the entire fuel management puzzle away from the driver. As a fleet owner, they are my first choice, just not wrapped up in a Peterbilt package. Peterbilt is simply not a reliable truck anymore. I have at least one in the shop every week, and I only own 6 of them.
I can see that from an O/O's perspective, it takes away from your freedom of choice to save or spend your money as you please. It is unfortunate that you dropped $150K on a truck that you are not, and will not, be satisfied with. Realistically, your best option, if you hate it that much, would be to trade it in on a new unit, spec'd exactly as you want it. On the other hand, the unit you have will make you money if you can keep it out of the shop.
Just my humble 2 cents worth.