87Slowrunner

I have an '87 4Runner non-runner (got it cheap) and have been slowly doing the garage redo thing for the last year. Finally drove it this week only to find the bearing in the 5 speed were toast. I dropped the trans figuring that it would have a w56 (its an EFI SR5) only to find a G series (g52?).

I inspected the G trans and its junk. The transfer case is pretty good. I shifted it through all of the gears when it was moving and it went fine. No leaks and the output shaft/flange is solid.

I'm not going to rebuild the G. I have lockers, 4.88s and 33s and plans for some moderate wheeling. I want the w56 for durability.

There is one w56 at a yard near my house. Its expensive, looks ok, but the transfer case attached to it has a bad output bearing (like well over 1/4 in play).

There are two 50 miles away and they are more money. One is mysteriously split from the 'case "but I'll throw in the case and all of the other stuff for the same price" says the man on the phone at the junk yard. The other is together but they want $650(WTF!?) and is reportedly in good shape. I suspect there's some negotiation room there.

What are my options here? It is stated frequently that when doing these swaps, the trans and the case should be swapped together. Should does not equal "must"....what are the pitfalls for putting the g52 this case on a W56? what the differences between a case that came factory mounted to a g52 and one that came factory mounted to a w56?

The case at the first yard....I'm looking at at least $250 for the rebuild? Or should I just bit the bullet and drive all over god's green earth looking for a good w56/T-case combo?

87Slowrunner

i should mention (but it doesn't make a difference) that the w56 was replaced by a previous owner with the G trans. my floor is hacked up because the shifters are in a different spot than factory (more forward). the workmanship is craptacular.