[Reddog]

For the last week I've been hauling very heavy loads of Oak firewood out of the forest on some serious 4-wheelin type roads. Anyway, I think I might have scattered my transmission today, from the sound of it, it's bad. I almost didn't make it home.

Anyway I started reading my shop manual and they mention a few different series of transmissions and I'm not sure what I've got.
My truck is a 1979 Toyota 4x4. with the 20r engine, and a four speed transmission, it's completely stock.

Is it possible to replace the 4-speed with a 5-speed, or does that require some kind of adaptor?

Also if anyone in the Sacramento area has a parts tranny they want to sell me cheap, let me know. I think I'm going to need some extra parts to rebuild mine.
It sounds REALLY BAD !

 

[crash]

best of my knowledge, there is only 1 4 speed made for that, and sounds like the bearings went out in your countershaft gear(common on those)..
Yes, to update i beleive you might have to move the x-member, and if you use the 4 speed t-case, there are some splines that need to be ground off...

 

[miniyota]

i'm pretty sure it'll work!

i've heard other people on the board have done.

unfortunatly at his time i can't remember who or how. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[Reddog]

What's it like to rebuild one of those?

I imagine all the parts are readily availible at the Toyota Dealer, eh ?

Are there any good web sites that discuss a 4-speed to 5-speed conversion ?

[ 09-10-2001: Message edited by: Reddog ]

 

[crash]

Man, don't waiste your hard earned $$ on fixing it...

 

[miniyota]

i wouldn't bother on trying to fix it

MPIA (major pain in the arse)

just go with the five speed and be a happier man because now you can pass people on the freeway w/out blowing it up!

i don't know of any web pages! sorry dude!
<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

 

[CRAZY MATT]

The L-43 SUCKS !!!! I scattered mine with only 67K on it. It knocked every tooth of second and beat the snot outta the rest of the trans...

 

[Cracker]

I just pulled a 5spd out of my 80. Too bad 2nd & 5th are shot in it, and I'm across the country from you.......

Anyway, I swapped in a R151 from an 86-88 Turbo P/U. I think its the same length & mounts the same as a W56, and probably a G52.
All are 5spds. If you use a W56, you'll have to enlarge the back of the hole in your cab floor for the tcase shifter which is further back, as the W56 uses a topshift tcas.

The R151 is about 5" longer, so yes, you would have to move or replace your xmember. Also would need both driveshafts from a 84+, and drill new holes in the diff flanges to match the D-shafts.

I had Bud build me a xmember. (See my sig-line).
We mounted it using 9/16"x 2 5/8" ubolts over the frame. There is a 9/16 x 2 1/2" which would fit better, but I didnt find out till after I gave Bud the size of the wider ones........

Overall, it was a pretty easy swap. (I already had all the major parts except for the xmember, though). Oh, yeah, the plugs for the 4wd indicator and reverse light switches may not match the ones on the harness.....Mine dont, and eventually I'll switch connectors.

You should be able to do this swap for between $400-500. Still cheaper than a tranny rebuild. Bud could probably hook you up with a xmember for under $200, 4 ubolts from NAPA at $8 ea, then pick up a G52 & tcase for around $200-250. And Dshafts, which I have no idea how much they cost. (Get an 84-85 front driveshaft, as the CV joint has a bigger arc of movement than an IFS front).

If you'ld like pics of the xmember, drop me a line.......

HTH

[ 09-11-2001: Message edited by: Cracker ]

 

[Black_Panther]

to add onto what Cracker said about the W56 and the G52, I've had both in my '87 Runner. came with the W56, but didn't have 3rd when I got it. Swapped in a G52 I picked up for $200 (no t-case). the W56 t-case will bolt right up to the G52 tranny. you just need to find a way to block off the t-case shifter hole on the tranny, since the W56 t-case shifter is "on-board" (top shift). also the G52's gear shifter is about 3 or 4 inches forward of the W56's, so you'll have to do some clearancing on you tunnel (might not be an issue with your '79). you could also potentially have the G40 tranny (same ratios as the G52, but w/o 5th), I'm just not sure what years those came in. HTH

 

[Mr. Yuck]

you have the L43 and it's absolute crap
it has a 3.77:1 first gear versus any other toyota truck tranny (besides turbo trannies) with a 3.93:1
I broke my L43 just driving it on the street!
try working on the linkage, it could be loose or broken, meaning that it's only halfway in gear and makes bad noises, mine did that just before it broke <IMG SRC="smilies/crybaby2.gif" border="0">
the only thing nice about this tranny is the fact that it is extremely simple <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Reddog]

That first gear is really crappy ! When I go wheelin I compare it to my Cruiser which has a GM SM420 with a first gear of about 7 to 1.
Needless to say there's no comparison.

There's another thread on this BB where someone put a 420 in their Toy truck, I'll have to chase that down and find out how that project turned out.

Thanks to all of you for the info, this is becoming quite a learning experience