Little Elger

Hello, new to the forums. I am rebuilding my 82 4wd and would like to switch to a 5 speed tranny. Yesterday I found a 81 diesel 2wd with 5 speed. Question is, can I use this tanny with my tc. Engine is 22 r.
Thanks, Randy

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Why? Not and have a 4WD.

:wabbit2:

brianh699

Not sure if diesel's use same tranny's as gasoline motors, but 81-84 5 speeds had an inadequate input shaft bearing and were prone to failure.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

yes and no....did you mean 81-83? L-52's supposedly have a bigger bearing than the L-50's

you mention 84--that transmission would be about 4" longer than a L-Series and would require moving the crossmember and redoing driveshafts..

83

And isn't the rear housing different on a 2wd? Or can you just remove the rear housing/output shaft area and attach a t-case? A deisel tranny would be much stronger, no?

brianh699

Yeah my mistake 83 was last year of L50's. They seem to do ok until you put bigger tires on them, which drops rpm's in 5th gear lugging the transmission. The input shaft bearing fails.

83

Same with the L52s, though they were slightly improved. But yeah, basically if you were cruising along the interstate for hours at 60 or 65mph in 5th gear, you were putting a LOT of stress on the input shaft and bearing.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

and yes the rear output housing is different..

Little Elger

I am mainly buying this diesel for the tailgate, because it is straight and has no rust, and the seat foam is in really good shape. When I looked at it last night I noticed it had a 5 speed and thought that would help my rpms at hiway speed.
So.. the output side of the tranny is different and won't bolt up to a transfer case?
by the way thanks for all the replies and I will try to put up some pics of this desert truck, it has very few small dents and no rust

njtrekker

iTrader: (1)

diesel trans is longer to transfer case.has a 3"removeable bell housing and rear output shaft is different like dropzone said. also clutch slave is on opposite side.

Little Elger

Ok, what is my best option for a 5 speed? Also I am stripping it for bondo, how do you get the foam tape trim adhesive off, nothing that I have will touch it.

Little Elger

Thanks trekker, so no go on the diesel tranny even if I swap a bell housing to put the slave on the correct side? Is there a market for the diesel motor and tranny?

Little Elger

Just to be clear, the transmission from the diesel will not mate up to a transfer case?

njtrekker

iTrader: (1)

Little Elger
correct. the 2wd diesel trans will not mate up to transfer case. and if it had it would still be to long.the easiest thing to do if want to install 5 speed in your truck. Is get L50/L52 trans.just bolts right up no drive shaft lengthening etc. Now as to the diesel motor and trans. Yes there is HUGE market these days. Do to the gas mileage/grease conversions.

RobotMoose

iTrader: (1)

Diesels will have the starter on the other side. To my knowledge, the bolt-pattern is the same, but that starter will be right in the 22R's exhaust. Also, the 2WD tranny tailhousing is meant to hook up to the driveline, not a t-case.

Yes and no.
L50 (81-82) had the shoddy bearing.
L52 (82-83) started with a smaller bearing, but by mid-83 has the same bearing as a G-series transmission.


Bottom line: it can be done by running the t-case as a divorced t-case, but don't do it: not worth the effort, not worth the modifications. Keep looking, and find a late L52 or a G52.

Little Elger

Ok, so the tranny won't work in my 82' but will the little diesel go in front of a w56 if I swap the bell housing, it's in about an 89 or 90 model I think. I saw it at the Toyota mine the other day and didn't get to ask questions about it. I might buy the 89 for the motor for my son then swap in the diesel to make a commuter.

RobotMoose

iTrader: (1)

If it's a mechanically injected diesel, it's a bolt-in swap.
I need to dig around, but I have a .PDF file of a 2L and 3L (the engine series) FSM.
If you want a copy, I'd be happy to share.
If the motor is a 2LT-E run away! It's sometimes called the "head crack-o-matic"

Little Elger

I'm not sure, but it maybe a 1 L, since it is an 81. I know it will be weak but 30mpg would be ok! I figure just put small tires on it. I was hoping for bolt in swap, that would be easy. Oh, and the recipient truck is reg cab 4x4.

RobotMoose

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like a good project.
A mild turbo would wake that thing right up.

Well, if you need a glow plug wiring diagram, let me know!

Little Elger

I will need a diagram, but it will be a while before the swap takes place, I need to finish little Elger and get my sons truck running. Check out my build thread so you can answer more questions as they come.