VT_Maverick's 5 Speed Swap

[vt_maverick]

Wow. Just... wow. Unbelievable job.

Mav, videos are a must.

I will try V, have to figure out how to mount the camera in the backseat so you guys can see the shifting though...

[Buffy]

We are all loaded up. Ashley is going to have fun driving this thing. If I weren't selling mine I would be out in search of a donor Trooper myself! This thing is FUN to drive!!!!

Heading your way Ashley! I'll post a few more pictures when I get home tonight.

[VXorado]

If I weren't selling mine I would be out in search of a donor Trooper myself!

Would you say its best to get a donor Trooper or can everything be gathered easily (other than the trans) from a local junkyard?

[vt_maverick]

Would you say its best to get a donor Trooper or can everything be gathered easily (other than the trans) from a local junkyard?

Greg and I had this conversation just before he left and we're both in agreement that working from a donor vehicle is much easier. It really is questionable whether you could assemble everything piecemeal for less $$$, and you can't beat the convenience of being able to look at the way the manual was wired from the factory while performing the install in the VX. For me it turned out to be a real steal - my $800 got us the 94K transmission, ECM, wiring harness, exhaust, master cylinder, shift boots and shifter, clutch switch (or was it neutral switch Greg?), and probably a few other things I can't remember right now.

[Ldub]

I a happy ending...

Though for you Mav, it's just the beginning.

KUDO's to da boda-yuh...

Great work...

If I was you, I'd have a hard time not say'n "F-sleep", throwin' Golden Earring on the speakers, & making the lyrics come true...

"I been drivin' all night, my hand's wet on the wheel"...

[VXorado]

Buffy, do you have a write-up on the wiring harness? Seems like the wiring was the most challenging part of this swap.

Another possibility, I would be willing to buy a harness from you if you want to make another one.

Greg and I had this conversation just before he left and we're both in agreement that working from a donor vehicle is much easier. It really is questionable whether you could assemble everything piecemeal for less $$$, and you can't beat the convenience of being able to look at the way the manual was wired from the factory while performing the install in the VX. For me it turned out to be a real steal - my $800 got us the 94K transmission, ECM, wiring harness, exhaust, master cylinder, shift boots and shifter, clutch switch (or was it neutral switch Greg?), and probably a few other things I can't remember right now.

Good call, I started looking on craigslist & found a 99 with engine problems for $1000. I'm not buying yet but can imagine it will be much easier to get a troubled Trooper than running back & forth to the parts yard.

[Buffy]

Buffy, do you have a write-up on the wiring harness? Seems like the wiring was the most challenging part of this swap.

Another possibility, I would be willing to buy a harness from you if you want to make another one.



Good call, I started looking on craigslist & found a 99 with engine problems for $1000. I'm not buying yet but can imagine it will be much easier to get a troubled Trooper than running back & forth to the parts yard.

The wiring was the biggest unknown for me going in. In the end it was very simple once I had the answers of course. I was thinking about creating a word document and maybe get it posted for reference. I will make sure the wiring portion of the write up is detailed.

Buying a 99 Trooper is the best way to do this conversion. There are alot of small pieces you can rob off it, there will be bolts, etc. be sure to save the manual heat shields as those will be important! The computer is a direct swap in, no reprogramming needed. You can use the hard line for the clutch master cylinder and the actual clutch master. I had to use the clutch switch from the donor. I used the wiring harness from the manual to make the connection for the backup lights and pulled wires from it to make the harness that went to the neautral and clutch switches. You run 4 wires to the switches ansd you are good. You can get the mode switch off the auto tranny and modify it for the swap. I might be able to create a wiring harness that is a pluc and play kind of thing by the time you get ready for it. Just send me tha old harnesses and I will send you what you need to install.

There are some gotchas to look out for like the OEM clutch kit does not include a clutch alignment tool. Advance Auto sells one for $1.50, Auto Zone and O'Riely did not offer one. The OEM slave cylinder does not include the push rod, usually not a big deal, but I was missing mine and had to go out and buy a cheapie slave cylinder to get the rod.

I will detail all of this in the write up.

[eternal21]

The wiring was the biggest unknown for me going in. In the end it was very simple once I had the answers of course. I was thinking about creating a word document and maybe get it posted for reference. I will make sure the wiring portion of the write up is detailed.

Buying a 99 Trooper is the best way to do this conversion. There are alot of small pieces you can rob off it, there will be bolts, etc. be sure to save the manual heat shields as those will be important! The computer is a direct swap in, no reprogramming needed. You can use the hard line for the clutch master cylinder and the actual clutch master. I had to use the clutch switch from the donor. I used the wiring harness from the manual to make the connection for the backup lights and pulled wires from it to make the harness that went to the neautral and clutch switches. You run 4 wires to the switches ansd you are good. You can get the mode switch off the auto tranny and modify it for the swap. I might be able to create a wiring harness that is a pluc and play kind of thing by the time you get ready for it. Just send me tha old harnesses and I will send you what you need to install.

There are some gotchas to look out for like the OEM clutch kit does not include a clutch alignment tool. Advance Auto sells one for $1.50, Auto Zone and O'Riely did not offer one. The OEM slave cylinder does not include the push rod, usually not a big deal, but I was missing mine and had to go out and buy a cheapie slave cylinder to get the rod.

I will detail all of this in the write up.

About that write up.....