Convert a RTAO 16710C-AS to a manual?? 1st gen auto shift w/ clutch pedal. HOW???

Hey man might wanna just get rid of that trans put a 13 spd in. Trade that sucker in and put the money toward a new RTLO 18913a-20913a-or even a 16913a model. I believe the 13 spd is a direct fit to the trans you have in there. The 18spd is a little bigger and would require drive shaft modification. Other guys on here have done the swap they could help you on which one is a direct fit. I went from a 15spd deep reduction to the 13spd. It was a direct fit and one of the best things for the truck fuel and pulling wise.

 

As long as you have a clutch pedal, you can put any fuller trans in there you want. It could be $2K to $5K for a reman one. If you could take the shift cover off, then see if it has the same mounting as a normal trans, then thats it. You could just put a normal shift cover on with a tower and stick through the floor. A pic of the top of the trans would be very helpful. Good luck.

 

http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/group...anger/documents/content/rr_rtao-16710c-as.pdf

Heres the parts list from eaton. It is a normal case. Get that top cover off and find a 10 speed cover to compare. A new cover is only around $300. Get rid of that auto shift cover.

 

As far as I know, the manufacturer still put the hole in the floor even when they put in a auto. Could be wrong though.

 

I converted my 18 speed eaton autoshit to manual cost me a few grand. I needed different case (was missing a hole for a lockout pin to prevent the back half from trying to shift while in gear. Reused most gears and bearings Also a few different sliders. I think a ten speed may be much easier. A good transmission shop could give you more answers.
Also you probably have a solo clutch ( self adjusting ) they are junk. Change it if you pull the tranny

 

Just do your research and homework before you start an auto to manual replacement. Just talked to a guy that kept hitting snags as he went along and got to the point of no return $$$wise and regretting starting down the path in the first place.

 

You just gotta love a tech that suggests you throw the same parts at it all again. I remember someone who had a cheap truck with an early auto shift like yours. Other than the fact the transmission was a total POS and money pit constantly causing problems it was a good truck. But no-one could ever get the transmission right. It's the kind of thing that might cause a truck to mysteriously have a match tossed under it or disappear forever lol.

 

Going through this process as we speak.Have an early ZF Meritor auto that gave up on me. A new one was $22k installed (Transmission was $16K) so I am having an Eaton 13sp put in.Getting all the parts from a wrecked KW to put in my KW. I didn't have a clutch pedal so have to run a linkage and everything so hoping after reading some of these replies mine goes a little smoother.

 

Dakota,
I am now contemplating going back to manual from 10spd Eaton Auto shift. All sorts of trouble with it dropping out of 10th, dtc. How did your conversion go? What parts were needed, parts sources, etc. Any help would be appreciated.