Well, been driving the 00 for going on a year and a half now. And there is absolutely no denying it, I can't stand an A/T. (For those who are newer, the 00 replaced a 95 with an M/T that I had for nine years.)

So with that in mind, I took some of my annual bonus and treated myself. I purchased what should be everything I need to do a manual tranny swap. Couldn't pass up the chance to get everything in one swoop for a "package price" from the yard. They even pulled everything.

Best part on getting it all was the yard was fairly close to OldColt. He picked it all up and has at his place. He's going to rebuild the tranny (just because it's out and I plan on driving this rig for many, many years) and other sundry things as needed. Then when the time comes, I'll haul my ass to VT and have what I'm sure will be a great couple of days. I'm seriously thinking of Aussie gears as well, again, since everything is out. (And, as I know how great they are in the SWB, I'm sure I will hate myself later if I don't put them in now when it is easiest.)

We're still in the planning stages of it all. Waiting for race seaason to wrap up on his end for one. We'll start a proper thread once the work begins. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Excellent!!!! I think a 3.5 and manual trans would be awesome. My '99 is my only slush box, the other three cars I own are all manual transmission so I can deal with the automatic at times (plus I can let the DD drive the "short bus" on the party nights)

I envy your swap!

That sounds awesome! My '98 slushbox has been pissing me off lately. It has a mind of it's own and we're not on the same page.

What year was the MT and bits donor?

96 for the donor. Wanted to stay with the 3.0 24V train, even though they are fewer and harder to find. The donor was brown interior, which was also part of the "kit" appeal. (The 00 is obviously brown then.)

did the 24V 3.0 manual tranny get the big t\case behind it found behind the 3.5 auto monteros or is it still the same as the 12V 3.0? Good call on getting the aussie gears I wouldn't rock anything less, having said that there are other options these days but all are non stock replacements.

Right, the 3.0 24V came with a t-case that can fit the 3.15s (to the extent they are still obtainable of course).

The Aussie gears in general, regarless of exact range available, should serve my needs adequately. My aspirations lie in back country travel and overland types of pursuits, versus gnarly trails and crawling.