Auto to manual conversion

$0.02 When Im looking at doing a big $$ swap for stuff like this, I look at ALL the stuff I need. Then I shop around and see if I can find a parts car with all of it in it. Say for instance you have a desire for an 8 3/4 next.....Might find a rusty wreck with a stick and a diff that check all the boxes.
That does make perfect sense, however, I already have an 8 3/4. The guy I bought it from was setting up to put a 4 speed in it, but because I didn't know how to drive stick at the time, we sold it. Dumb move on our part, because now I love driving stick