6spd to 8spd

[JosephVK56]

i have seen quite a few people express interest in this topic with absolutely 0 people actually being helpful.
if your like me and made the biggest mistake on your RAM purchase and went with the ****** 65rfe trans and at a point you cant trade the truck in on an 8 speed then you wan to consider an 8 speed conversion!!

i hope to make this thread with people actually helping out and giving some good knowledge and making this a sticky for future reference to anyone wanting to do this. AT NO POINT IN THIS THREAD SHOULD PEOPLE JUST SAY ''TRADE YOUR TRUCK IN ITS EASIER'' well no **** its easier but maybe some people like me cant.

i have been looking into parts required and so far ive thought of and gathered are these:

1. apparently the o2 sensors for the 8 speeds are different parts numbers vs the 6 speeds? not sure why

2. will need the actual shifter portion for the 8 speed - 4x4 selection are also push button vs rotary dial like in most 6 speed column shift trucks. may need new electrical harness in the dash for the new rotary dial shifter and 4x4 selection? not sure yet, im going to look to see if there is existing connectors already in place but highly doubtful


3. will probably need engine computer AND trans computer from 8 speed. i hear the TCM is integrated in the trans for the 8 speed? not sure what additional programming, flashing will be needed.

4. trans cooler lines from 8 speed are obviously different so will need those.

5. are the transfer cases and bolt patterns different?? what about the front and rear propeller shafts?

6. steering columns have different part numbers. i assume cause of the gear select on the steering wheel vs the selector on the column stick for 6 speeds trans.

7. i am unsure of any additional wiring harnesses?? dash harness for the rotary gear select dial and of any additional modules, interlocks or wiring that goes to the actual trans.

8. there is a mechanical shifter linkage on the 6 speed trans, i dont think the 8 speed has any such thing so i am guess would just eliminate it all together during the conversion.

 

[RLJ10X]

Which is ear end gears do you have?

Joe, you're looking into a MAJOR undertaking. Here is another option. 4.10s and a Hemi Fever Tune. The 545/645RFE is a decent transmission, but they (final) gear it way too tall.

 

[JosephVK56]

i got 3.55 and its a 2017. 2 months old lol i would like 4.56 gears - that would make 1st and 2nd gear good but then 3rd (technically 4th) would still be really long. everytime i read up on these trannies they seem weak. people killing them and dont do WOT kickdowns and blah blah. to me that is just BS to not be able to beat on the trans a little bit..

i rented a u-haul trailer last night and towed my g/f's TSX and was extremely disappointed with the power.. it just didnt pull it good at all.. i had a 2009 titan before this ram and that titan was a beast for pulling and the trans stood up to a TON of abuse i put it through... i dunno i just miss my titan, this ram just isnt fun at all to me lol

i have rented the ram 8 speeds before and towed my 6000pound boat and that 8 speed was a perfect match. it towed my boat effortlessly and was alot of fun!!!

i just got such a wicked deal on this 6 speed ram that i just pulled the trigger on it and thinking the 65rfe was good...

 

[JosephVK56]

i have taken on major undertaking before. i have swapped from an auto trans to a manual trans successfuly, swapped larger engines, converted my titan SE to a pro-4x trim level, converted a 1993 mazda 323 to a v6 klze, swapped full harnesses and subframes. i have done major restoration work to boats as well. i was a technician at honda for 2.5 years and now im an auto accessory installer. 8 out of 10 vehicles i work on are RAMS so every so often when i put on the hoist i take a look around at whats different and when i do interior work i do the same as well

 

[Pull Ya]

I don't think anyone on the forum has done this swap before so first hand info might be a bit scariest however there are a few Ram techs on here that seem really knowledgeable and their info along with others might give you a pretty good picture of what your looking at. Best of luck!
Jay

 

[Lee Peterson]

I've been thinking about the same swap. The more I look, it seems a GM 6l90E swap would be easier and cheaper. They make kits to bolt the 6l90e to a hemi with a standalone PCM for it now.

The ratios are:
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
4.027 2.364 1.532 1.152 0.852 0.667 3.064

 

[JosephVK56]

I've been thinking about the same swap. The more I look, it seems a GM 6l90E swap would be easier and cheaper. They make kits to bolt the 6l90e to a hemi with a standalone PCM for it now.

The ratios are:
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
4.027 2.364 1.532 1.152 0.852 0.667 3.064

say what? where is this so called kit and information??

 

[JosephVK56]

I've been thinking about the same swap. The more I look, it seems a GM 6l90E swap would be easier and cheaper. They make kits to bolt the 6l90e to a hemi with a standalone PCM for it now.

The ratios are:
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
4.027 2.364 1.532 1.152 0.852 0.667 3.064

i see your in hamilton ontario... i live less than hour away from you. if you ever get into anything like this, let me know i would like to help

 

[69GWC]

Have you priced out the main parts needed?

 

[JosephVK56]

yes. second hand wreckers trans here is running 1500. steering column i 200. the shifter switch is approx. 200 as well.

about 3 grand could do it

 

[RLJ10X]

If you really can swap an 8 speed in for $3,000, the world will beat a path to your door.

 

[JosephVK56]

the trick is finding a good trans for good price.. new they are like 3500. a few wreckers here had some under 40,000kms for 1500 bucks. the 8 speeds seem like very good durable trannys so i wouldnt be to concerned about one with a little bit of mileage on it

 

[big13]

I would like to get in on this, I am in Hamilton every summer, Own property there. I also have the 65RFE **** box.

I was wondering about the 6L80E also.

 

[Tach_tech]

You’ll need the body harness and powertrain harness as well. The 8 speed does have a manual park release, so you’ll need that mechanism and the cable.

Some other things off the top of my head. Cooler lines, hard and soft. Trans mounted cooler and hardware. 3 way coolant valve and hoses.

Honestly swapping all the parts is just going to cost time and money. All the little pieces will add up.

The main issue will be the programming, and getting everything to work.

Honestly if you could find a wrecked truck for a good deal that would be the best way to attempt this. Then you can just swap everything.

 

[RLJ10X]

And after all that........you still have that crummy 3.55 rear end, which is the crux of your whole delema.

 

[69GWC]

Might be a big part of the issue with the 6sp but it will work great with the 8sp.

 

[twisted 8]

i got 3.55 and its a 2017. 2 months old lol i would like 4.56 gears - that would make 1st and 2nd gear good but then 3rd (technically 4th) would still be really long. everytime i read up on these trannies they seem weak. people killing them and dont do WOT kickdowns and blah blah. to me that is just BS to not be able to beat on the trans a little bit..

i rented a u-haul trailer last night and towed my g/f's TSX and was extremely disappointed with the power.. it just didnt pull it good at all.. i had a 2009 titan before this ram and that titan was a beast for pulling and the trans stood up to a TON of abuse i put it through... i dunno i just miss my titan, this ram just isnt fun at all to me lol

i have rented the ram 8 speeds before and towed my 6000pound boat and that 8 speed was a perfect match. it towed my boat effortlessly and was alot of fun!!!

i just got such a wicked deal on this 6 speed ram that i just pulled the trigger on it and thinking the 65rfe was good...

If you have a 2017 I didn't think the 6 spd was an option?

 

[JosephVK56]

2017 still have option for 6 speed. 3.55 would be great with 8 speed but crap fot the 6.

 

[JosephVK56]

You’ll need the body harness and powertrain harness as well. The 8 speed does have a manual park release, so you’ll need that mechanism and the cable.

Some other things off the top of my head. Cooler lines, hard and soft. Trans mounted cooler and hardware. 3 way coolant valve and hoses.

Honestly swapping all the parts is just going to cost time and money. All the little pieces will add up.

The main issue will be the programming, and getting everything to work.

Honestly if you could find a wrecked truck for a good deal that would be the best way to attempt this. Then you can just swap everything.

This is the kind of post i like. Im wondering what exact harnesses are needed and what the part numbers they are.

 

[Wild one]

You're the first guy to attempt the 8hp70 swap into a 6 speed truck. The 4L80 isn't a common swap,but it's been done. Check out Kurtis's thread on his swap into his 09,he's over here in Calgary,so he can give you an idea of the costs involved ,I know it wasn't cheap,lol http://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-to-4th-gen-ram-gm-transmission-4l80e-swap.112665/