So, as the title states I have question regarding what trans my 81 originally came with. Everything I have read states that the only year the L52 was offered was 83 and the options in 81 were the L45 and L50. But the VIN plate on the firewall states the trans code as L52. The truck is pretty much all original and unmodified except for the transmission as far as I can tell. The VIN number on the plate matches the frame, dash, etc. The truck currently has a L43 for some reason, probably because it was the cheapest option to replace whenever the original went however long ago that was. I have only come across one other post where the guy says his 1981 also has the L52 trans code.I would post pics but my phones camera isnt working. Anybody able to shed any light on this?

 

I dunno. Never heard of this one before! Some new Toyota trivia...

 

That year had a 4 speed that was just a L45, minus the 5th gear inside the trans . The L52 was the option. 1982 I believe were all L52. 1983 was a L52 HD with a larger bearing in the front of the case for the input. All L52's can be upgraded to L52 HD by sending the new HD bearing and the front case half out to have the case machined.

Ok, did some quick marlin research, L50 is the l series, minus 5th gear. Looks identical to the L50 and L52. L50 is the 5 speed option added to the truck when new. L52 Is just the HD version of the L50

 

My '81 also has L52 in the trans code and that's what it's running. I really don't understand why marlin lists the years and transmissions that they do because many of them clearly were built this way from the factory.

 

the only way i know how to ID an L-52 came from some info posted by BigMike from Marlin Crawler
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...trivia-231633/

At one point I had 3 L50-52's in my garage, I used that method to ID the L-50 that came in my 81 Trekker.

 

Interesting that yours also came with a L52, it is strange that everywhere lists 83 as the only year for that option but it seems that some earlier models obviously came with it also. Anyone else have a pre-83 truck that has a L52 from factory?

 

right here !!
1982 toyota pickup 5spd

 

My 81 also has an L52 5 speed tranny. BTW, my last name is Powell, small world

 

My (22R/SR5/RWD) '81 transmission code: W50.

Try this link for more info:

https://core-shifters.com/pages/toyo...identification

 

2 wheel drive.

 

I have a 81 Toyota pickup 4x4 and the plate In the engine bay says it supposed to have a L52, with a 22r. Granted it hasn't had a L52 in it for a long time but I believe it should bolt up possibly.

 

Ah I remember all these fun topics. I almost miss it...but I do like that my 98 just works, and doesn't need a bunch of research and replacements! Yet, anyway...

Yeah Bo, it's pretty well known that any L-series transmission will bolt up to any R-series engine.

I see something in a previous post about the L52-HD. My memory's fading, but I don't think such a thing exists from Toyota. Isn't the HD Marlins upgrade to the L52? Because they all had undersized 5th gear bearings? That's what I remember. But then I'm also still surprised anything pre-83 came with an L52!

 

1981 (manufacture date November 1980) with L52 on engine compartment VIN plate that matches dash VIN. Transmission was replaced with a 4-speed at some point before I got her in 1997.