neilan

Ok browsing classifieds dor pickups as i have been for months there is was 81 longbed rebuilt 20r, bad tranny or transfer case? I went and looked and they truck sure is and 81 has surface rust but what can you expect for an 81 but the frame and all suspention is perfect. Starts up great but when you put it in gear it makes a grind /rumble noise and doesnt want to go. The owner has a spare transfer case he has goign with it but not a tranny? He deosnt know which one it is but i dont care because at a price of 500 bucks it doesnt really matter to me. But this sound liek a good buy?

kyle_22r

sounds like the transmission's input bearing probably friend and wasted some gear teeth. common problem with the older trucks.

if it's solid mechanically, probably not a bad deal -- you can pick up a used 5 speed for the older trucks for about $150, or you can upgrade to a better transmission like a W56 but you'll have to cut new shifter holes, and rework the drivelines.

neilan

ok well it has a 4spd now which 5 spd would it be a w50? from a 82 or 83? I dont wnat to have to rework drivelines befor i even lift it. Worst case i buy it and use the parts to solid axel swap my near perfect 87 4runner.

EWAYota

From Pirate:

W56 5 speed 85 - 95 (EFI) 3.95 Manual Hub Equipped Vehicles 89 and up have W56 transmissions.

neilan

mabey i misunderstood . the w56 will fit in directly with no driveshaft mods and the transfer case will bolt right up?

EWAYota

After RE-RE reading your post, I know what your asking now. Sorry about that.

L45 4 speed 81 - 82 3.93
L50 5 speed 81 - 82 3.93

So your looking at a L50 if you want to just drop in a 5 speed. But if you want a stronger tranny, and go with the W56, you'll have to do some modifications to your driveline and fab new holes for the shifters.

kyle_22r

the L45 and L50/L52 are identical externally. the best of the '79-83 transmissions is the L52 found in late '82 and all 1983 pickups. it has a larger input bearing than the L45 and L50.

the W56 found in EFI '85-95 trucks is roughly 4" longer than the L series transmissions, so to install it you'll have to relocate your crossmember(budbuilt sells one for the conversion), shorten the rear driveline, and lengthen the front one. your transfer case is a direct bolt-on.

neilan

ok so if i go buy thsi thign today i will most like like want to get a L52 and this is a 5 spd right?

kyle_22r

the L50 and L52 are exactly identical except for the L52's bigger input bearing. the only way to tell is to pull the bearing cover off the input shaft and look at the number, they have the ones to check on marlin's web site.

if its in good shape i wouldn't hesitate to run it though.

Blue_Stone

If you get a G52 or W56 tranny (or even an R151), you can probably get by with the stock driveshafts out of the same truck as the donor tranny. Basically any front 84-85 d-shaft, and any 84-88 rear shaft.

I swapped an R151 into my 80, using Bud's very first crossmember for this generation, and was able to use later dshafts. The truck did come with lifted springs though, no more than 2" I think.

04 Rocko Taco

sounds like a good deal on the truck. Doesnt sound like to much trouble to get a new tranny in it either...Good find.

Hiridentoyguy

Check your shifter seat bushing on the old tranny... most likely ins't what is causing your problem, but it's worth a shot. Sounds like a nice truck, I didn't see a price? Good luck!