Transmission Swap
 

Has anyone swapped a manual transmission into a vehicle and resolved any check engine lights that came with it? I am contemplating doing this on a future project vehicle, however my county requires that vehicles must be smogged annually. This means that there cannot be any trouble codes stored on the vehicle. What I am mainly worried about is the neutral safety switch.

A computer tune is required on my build. If codes can be resolved this way on an OBD1 or OBD2 system, that would be ideal.

If anyone has done a manual transmission swap, please share!

Reprogramed ecu normally takes care of it.

Neutral safety switch can be replicated by clutch switch, OBD1 cars without full computer transmission don't care what transmission you use.

At least what my ranger did in the preconversion swap.

My experience with OBD2 Hondas which came from the factory with a manual, is that they don't care if there's even a transmission there. Gear ratio is calculated from RPM and speed.

Easiest way to do an auto to manual swap is to put in a manual ECU.

I always hear that it is easiest just to buy the car with the transmission that you want. :)

The issue is that I want a manual ZJ (1993-1998 Grand Cherokee). Jeep only offered a manual option in 1993, and it is incredibly rare. So a swap is likely my only option :)

It's a Jeep thing, I wouldn't understand? :)

Where would you get the parts? I read about converting an Accord with an automatic into a manual and they bought a manual Accord for all of the parts.

This guy makes it seem a bit complicated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O7NrPaMEhE

:)

It's much easier if you have a parts car, but I have swapped transmissions without one. You just need to make or buy many odd brackets, hangers, adapters.

Got a hemi 4 speed set up for a B-RB small block sitting in my shed, waiting for a vehicle. I would stuff it in the Ranger but I kinda like the 10 forward speeds the 4 wd drive has.

With some modifications you can make most parts work from a donor Jeep Cherokee :)

Then you have to get creative with stuff like the shorter driveshaft length, transfer case shifter and skid plate.

It is definitely a worthwhile swap because the 42re transmission in those things is not that great.

I've watched that video before. I think it is quite good actually :)
I think it seems complicated because it actually is...