i recently picked up a 1991 dodge 250 4x4 with a bad auto tranny. i was wondering if i should just replace the stock tranny or switch it to stick. any input

 

Depends on what your preferences are. By that I mean, do a significant amount of towing or is it just a daily driver. Switching from one to the other isn't difficult, just takes a little time.

 

it would be doing some towing and hauling as well as being my daily driver

 

I know it may be apples and oranges but I did it on my '83 F-150 and it involved a lot. New steering column, transfer case, which meant different drive shafts, pedal assembly, slave cylinder. Lotta work man, might be easier and cheaper to just fix it and trade for a manual if that's what you really want.

 

as for 1st gens i would go stick. just not enough upgrades to make those older autos hold up if your gonna add more power or tow anything.

 

Big problem with the 1st gen autos is they do not have a lock up converter. If you found a smokin deal on a 47rh you can mount that up with minimal trouble, have a more durable transmission with a lock up converter.

How heavy will you be towing?

 

go with a nv4500 you'll never look back

 

STIIIIICK!

 

If you're going to keep it and work it I'd get a stick. As said above a NV4500 would be a great one to put in. You'll need to do something with lengthening/shortening driveshafts, mating the t-case up, cross members, shifter, etc. It will be a lot of work and I would bet you'll get $3500-$4000 wrapped up into it pretty quick unless you could find everything at the junk yard.

 

There's plenty of kits out there to do this with. Most of them I have seen are complete with all the parts. The only thing left for you to do is get your drive shafts lengthened and shortened. Most any machine shop can do this for you but you have to wait till you have it all installed so you have your exact measurements.