Pre 84 Trucks 1st gen pickups

Swapping a 5 speed into my 4 speed '81 4x4

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Old 09-27-2010, 05:43 PM
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Cool Swapping a 5 speed into my 4 speed '81 4x4

Hey guys. I just got an 81 pickup, the 4 speed is floppy and sucks on the highway.

Its a 22r, what tranny and parts do I need to do the swap? THANKS!!

Heres some pics









The yellow decals have since been removed. PEACE
Old 09-27-2010, 07:41 PM
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HAHAAHAH YES you actually cought a pic of my truck in there

edit, i just realized my profile pic is your truck ha forgot i put it on there
Old 09-27-2010, 08:12 PM
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Smile

Hey guys

I also really need some new leafs, mine are ranchos but they have sagged pretty bad!!!

Anyone got something for sale?

How would these be? How much lift can I expect.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f11/...9-85-a-215870/
Old 09-27-2010, 08:35 PM
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so uh....who's the one with the sexy legs leaning on that roll bar?
Old 09-27-2010, 08:36 PM
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and since it says 2.5" lift....i'm going to go with it'll give 2.5" lift.
Old 09-27-2010, 08:57 PM
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Does anyone know for sure if these would fit on my 81?

I have been searching for hours and can't find any good solid information. It sucks ARB is an Australian based company.

Does anyone know anything about these? What would they recommend for lift?

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/yotam...t-springs.html

My truck is geared for 35's but will be running skinny 33's for winter
Old 09-27-2010, 09:00 PM
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if you can weld and want a cheap lift find some chevy 63in springs.

they will give you 2 or 3in of lift
Old 09-28-2010, 04:31 PM
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So does anyone know which tranny and what else I need?...
Old 09-28-2010, 04:33 PM
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You need a L50 trans and shifter
Old 09-28-2010, 04:52 PM
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Thanks and nice user name HighLux lol!

Will the L52 work (from 1983 22r 4x4) or will only the L50 work... THX

Last edited by Highlex; 09-28-2010 at 04:55 PM.
Old 09-28-2010, 04:54 PM
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You just remember who had it first!!! Pal. lol
Old 09-28-2010, 05:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Highlex
Thanks and nice user name HighLux lol!

Will the L52 work (from 1983 22r 4x4) or will only the L50 work... THX
Eh from what I hear, the L series transmissions were weak.
Maybe go with a G series from a later model, or find pne out of an IFS rig.
Old 09-28-2010, 05:18 PM
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I was just steering him towards what would of been in it.
Old 09-28-2010, 05:46 PM
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Originally Posted by peow130
Eh from what I hear, the L series transmissions were weak.
Maybe go with a G series from a later model, or find pne out of an IFS rig.
I would like to put a w56 in there. But what other parts would be needed?

I don't think the clutch / pressureplate / transfer case / driveshafts / slave cylinder would work or would it?
Old 09-28-2010, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Highlex
I would like to put a w56 in there. But what other parts would be needed?

I don't think the clutch / pressureplate / transfer case / driveshafts / slave cylinder would work or would it?
I think it's all the same crap.
When you get/if you get the transmission it'll have the slave cylinder on it.
As far as xfer case, they're pretty much the same up until like 89. then they're chain drive.

You can check the clutch and pressure plate pretty easily.. Just check the part# at like schucks or somethin.
I'm sure they're the same, seeing as how the 22r didn't really change much until like 85.
and the bolt patterns are still the same.

no worries, highlux, id just rather not see him swap a weak transmission into a truck thats going to get wheeled..
Okay, well it's not THAT weak, but it's prone to input bearing failure.. which sucks.

Last edited by peow130; 09-28-2010 at 06:04 PM.
Old 09-28-2010, 06:11 PM
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Done a little research myself and it seems i will need an older model W56 a or W56b new crossmember (bud-built builds one) and the front driveshaft will need to be lengthened and the rear drive-shaft will need to be shortened.

Or I can use an 84-85 front drive shaft and 84-88 rear drive shaft as long as they are from a toyota 4x4 with the same wheel base as mine.

Cool...


NEXT QUESTION!


I found a set of trail gear 3 inch lift leafs locally, the rears are longer and require new leaf mounts to be welded... is it just as simple as that? I won't need anthing else?

And the fronts apparently are the same length and bolt up but under extreme flex situations will the front drive shaft not have long enough splines?

Is a long spline front driveshaft needed?
Old 09-28-2010, 06:30 PM
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no the front springs are not the same length on the trail-gear springs.
You need a new front spring mount (mounted (1/2-3/4") forward of the front crossmember) with longer shackles.

rear springs are about 9" longer...front mount goes about 6" forward of stock mount, rear mount about 2" back

Driveshaft-you will want a long spline or square driveshaft up front....
Don't have a driveshaft made until you figure out what springs/transmission combo you end up with.
W-56's are about 5" longer than L-series transmissions.
Old 09-28-2010, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ocdropzone
no the front springs are not the same length on the trail-gear springs.
You need a new front spring mount (mounted (1/2-3/4") forward of the front crossmember) with longer shackles.

rear springs are about 9" longer...front mount goes about 6" forward of stock mount, rear mount about 2" back

Driveshaft-you will want a long spline or square driveshaft up front....
Don't have a driveshaft made until you figure out what springs/transmission combo you end up with.
W-56's are about 5" longer than L-series transmissions.
Thanks for the useful post!
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