DpSyChO

Can anyone school me on what the difference is between the front axles and transfer case used in the 75-78 Toyota truck verses the ones used in 79-85. I found a 76 model and was thinking of going to get the front axle shafts for spares and range box to do a doubler. I had a chance to look it over for a few minutes and the front axle looked the same as my 85, but that was just sticking my head down and taking a look. I always see the 79-85 referenced and can find nothing online to whether anything is interchangeable on the 75-78. I know the transfer case had a different mounting arrangement, almost looked like a smaller version of the t-case to transmission adapter used on a 203 or 205, but the range box and rear half of the case looked the same from what I could tell. The truck had a 20R and transfer case was a top shift, almost looked like the transmission shifter come out of the transmission to transfer case adapter, but again I couldn't get under the truck to make sure. Body is in too bad shape rust wise for me to to get the whole truck, and it is going to the crusher sometime soon. Running gear looked great compared to the sheet metal on the truck. It was starting to rain, I had good cloths, and the place the truck is at is about an hour and a half away. I'd like to find someone who knows more about these then I do before I drive 3hrs round trip and buy parts I cannot use.

83

If you have anything before '79, and it has a transfercase, it's an aftermarket add-on, since Toyota didn't make a 4wd pickup until '79. Beyond that I can't offer much help...

DpSyChO

I do not know a whole lot about Toyota's but I was thinking that I read that somewhere when I saw the truck. I had a look in the door jamb, build date was listed as apr 76. When I stuck my head under it I also noticed the shackle mounts for the front leaf springs were through the frame identical to the 79-85. The 75-78 2wd was IFS, correct? The steering was identical also, J arm I think its called? It looked good enough that I do not think it was a at home conversion. I looked at front and tried to have a look at the transfer case and didn't look at the rear axle. Would a 75-78 body bolt up to a 79-85 frame (body mounts in same locations), that could be what was done.

83

Could be. Does it say "Wolverine" anywhere on the truck? That was an aftermarket conversion to 4wd. Before the 4wd pickup, people swapped in Jeep parts or something like that to make them 4wd. Could have been professionally done. Hard to say. If you've got a local Toyota expert you could take it to them. Post up some photos! There's a lot of knowledge around on the net, and if you get the right people interested, you could probably figure out what you've got.

DpSyChO

I didn't know an aftermarket company converted some trucks to 4wd, cool to know.
I am going to have to go up that way some time this week, don't think I will have time to pull the case that trip, but I'll take the camera and get some pics. I got to thinking after you posted. I have a transmission/t-case I pulled out of a truck , its the only type I have seen out of the vehicle a, which is a W56. I looked online to see what other transmissions looked like that were offered. I found what is in the truck, I think it is a L43 4sp, there was no shifter knob on the shifter and I did not cycle it through the gears to see how many speeds it was. To me the tailhousing looks like the adapter that was used on 203/205's that I mentioned earlier:


http://marlincrawler.com/transmissio...t-complete/l43

Marlin says the L43 was used from 79-80, I remembered the front axle had the truss on the bottom of the long side, 79's did not have those, correct?
From what I see online it is 5" shorter then other transmissions used in the truck, would there be any reason for me to grab it also (ie rare item?) if that what it turns out to be.
Did Toyota stamp the VIN on the frame anywhere, if it is I'll compare the frame vin to the body vin when I go also, that should show whether the body has been swaped. If it does turn out to be a 80 frame, that would put the transfercase at 21 spline? I realized I am going to need a 23 spline, but will go ahead and get it cause I have had a hard time finding a top shift.
I didnt mention, there is also a 86 there that is a forward shift, but I'd rather not have to buy the top shift conversion with money being tight right now.

Mike

83

Ah I hate it when that happens...posted a response, hit reply and the site crashed so now I'm going with the condensed version...

The axle could be from any solid front axle Toyota. You could definitely have a mix & match of parts, so a t-case & tranny from one year Yota, front axle from another. The 79's did not have axle trussing. The only VIN's I know of are on the body, none on the frame, I don't think.

W56 is a good tranny. L43...as far as I know, the only reason they may be desireable is because the 5 speeds from that time period were pretty weak, so if someone wanted an offroad tranny that wouldn't take any modifications to put in their 79-83 truck, it might be desireable, but otherwise, I don't know how many people would want one. Supposedly they don't hold up to well if you run bigger tires.

What's this going into? I don't know the answers to most of your questions...you could try the Marlin Crawler forum. They know their tranny's pretty well.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

One dead give away is that a lot of the early conversions were 5 bolt axles..

does your front axle have a U joint at the knuckle or a round ball like this?(I don't have a backing plate)


ID'ing Toyota axles (mini truck)
Axle Info
Axle info - Toyota

Toyota Mini Truck Front Axle Identification
79-80 no gusset
81-83 short gusset (to u-bolts)
84-85 long gusset (past u-bolts)

Stock Toyota front axle measurements for comparison:
55.5" wide, 29" spring perch centers, '79-85 Toyota trucks and 4runners, SA Hubs
58.25" wide, 29" spring perch centers, '79-85 Toyota trucks and 4runners, IFS Hubs
63.5" wide, (set up for coil springs) 90-97 FJ80 and FZJ80 Landcruisers
'86-95 IFS front end is about 58.5" wide
'93-98 T100 IFS front end is about 65" wide

Toyota Rear Axle Widths:
55" wide, '79-85 4wd trucks/4runners - 6 Lug
58" wide, '86-95 4wd trucks/4runners - 6 Lug
56" wide, '79-95 2wd Trucks - 5 Lug
60.75" wide, '95.5-up Tacomas/4runners
66.75" wide, '93-98 T100 trucks

ID Toyota Mini Truck axles
79-80 no gusset
81-83 short gusset (to u-bolts)

84-85 long gusset (past u-bolts)

DpSyChO

I have been running Suzuki's, have not been able to find a Toyota mini in my price range with out tons of rust, dents on every panel do not bother me, rust does. If I do not find a half way rust free mini before this fall the parts will be going into what started life as a Suzuki Sidekick.

Stock 1.6 16v > Volvo AW72 4spd auto > Doubler setup > 85 front axle W/Ifs hub swap: Ifs rear.

I'm wanting to get another range box before I start machining the adapter plate to marry the transmission to t-case.

If I find a mini, I have parts ready to go in and sell the adapter plate I am making.

Since the L43 transmission is listed as being 5" shorter I may get it if the price is right just to see if the drivshafts will still line up if with a doubler if I am able to find a truck.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

L Series transmissions don't have the best reputation for strength...

DpSyChO

It was 6lug.
Axle was birfield shaft (w/ball like suzuki's) as in pic and not a universal joint (like a D44).
Axle I have is 85 and the gusset on the truck I found did not extend out as far as it, stopped before u-bolts.
Good Pics.

DpSyChO

Thanks, I'll leave it where its at and just pull the t-case.

BLACK FLAG 1

that is correct