My brother is rebuilding my tranny from my 81 4x4. We aren't sure exactly which one it is. it is cast iron body so it must be a L50. How do you ID the tranny properly?

He tells me there is alot of play in the output shaft and the 1st gear and reverse are out.

Is there an on-line manual with the rebuild specs? Big bro is a skilled wrencher but has no access to a computer and I'm nowhere close to help him. so I'm using the phone and my other bro who is computer savvy. He really needs a rebuild manual.

Where else besides Marlin can you buy the rebuild kit? 400.00 seems a little high for five bearings and synchros. figured the industrial bearing supply place would have bearings but the synchros and spacers would be a little more difficult to find. I do think it may be worth it to give them a call and ask for thier help and buy the kit from them.

I really want to get this rebuilt in the next few weeks so I can have a pick-up again.

 

I would suggest finding a good w56 to put behind there. I believe it should be a direct bolt-on and should save him time and money. Would defintly give him a much better transmission to start with.

 

thought about that, salvage yard parts are all getting so old that they are going to require a rebuild anyway. Plus I think you would have to modify the cross member and drivelines, which is more of a pain than a rebuild. I thought there really isn't a direct bolt in option for this gen of the toys.

 

It will bolt in to the engine, but you're right, a W56 would take driveshaft & crossmember mods, plus a little floorboard cutting. The Factory Service Manual should have the rebuild instructions, and it's great to have anyways. I'd post this same question on the Marlin Crawler forum and see what response you get. Not many people around here rebuild their own trannies.

 

Wheres the best source for a factory service manual?

I'm hesitant to post to marlin, people tend to flame cheapskates. I'll search the site though and make a post. I'm thinking of calling Marlin anyway.

thanks for the responses.

 

If you check the "Ready to buy" thread by fleck, somewhere in there there's a link to where he got his manual. Otherwise ebay or sites like this for used ones.