Automatic to manual swap

[Beerett]

Just picked up a 2000 4x4 with a transmission that is missing reverse seems like people are not too excited to rebuild these things for whatever reason. So I figured screw it why not manual swap it wouldn't be the dumbest job I have done have the ability and the equipment. That being said I can't find anything about someone doing it found a post here someone saying yea I'm going to do it then no follow up. Do any other vehicles share parts or am I strictly looking for pathfinder parts also what year range will work.

[hawairish]

It's not a common swap mainly because manual transmission 2000+ trucks weren't common, at least not in the US.  More common in Canada.

That said, you'll struggle to find parts or a suitable donor...unless your 2000 happens to have the 3.3L?  (Also not common, but Nissan did dumb things near model changes/end-of-runs.)

 

Presuming you can find parts, probably wouldn't be difficult to do the swap.  The ATs have a block-off plate where the clutch master would go, but on 00+, the center consoles integrated with the dash console, so if you want a clean look, then you're basically looking to bring over the entire dash, too.  At that rate, might as well just look for an MT-equipped truck.

 

As for the rebuilding/repairing the transmission...probably no shortage of donors out there, and pulling the transmission down isn't terrible with hand tools and a transmission jack.

 

 

 

[Slartibartfast]

Here's a guide to manual-swapping a '96-'99 truck. (Not mine, all credit goes to Keith Maddox.) Not sure if the guide talks about the oil or not, but in case it doesn't, you want GL-4, not GL-5.

 

AFAIK the VG33-powered R50 got the same manual trans as the VG33 W/D22 (first-gen Frontier and Xterra). The W/D21 trans should also work, but Nissan did a dumb with the oil level in the early ones, so if you have the option, I'd look for a '96+ donor.

 

VQ35/manual R50s do exist, but as Hawairish said, they are quite rare. Good luck finding parts. There was a guy on here a while back having a hell of a time finding a flywheel for one.

 

Either way, I would look for a manual R50 with the same engine and something wrong with it. Part yours out to fix it, or part it out to swap yours. Saves you finding all the pieces separately.

[Lock]

I just converted my 2003 SE from auto to manual. I've been meaning to join here and post about it.

 

I bought a local 2002 manual transmission and rebuilt it with new bearings and synchros then summer 2024 I installed it. I didn't have a parts car. Started collecting parts in 2020 including calling small-town Alberta Canada junkyards because Nissan didn't sell manual 03-04 models in the US. Not all of the OEM parts are available any more.

 

But Beerett yours is a 2000 so like others have said, I'd recommend you find a domestic manual trans for parts. Is it the 3.3 or the 3.5, 3.3 is easier you can follow that guide above. 

 

I needed a Canadian ECU and to deal with NATS. The flywheel signal plate is different for 01-02 (cable throttle) and 03-04 (elec throttle). And obviously the VG33 flywheel is not compatible with the VQ35.

 

I've manual-converted other cars but I wouldn't say this is easy. Unless you specifically want a manual, fixing the auto might be easier.