5 speed swap into 1982 4x4
05-14-2012, 01:04 PM
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5 speed swap into 1982 4x4
I have a 1982 4 speed and would like to do a swap to a 5 speed. What tranny would I use and from what year. I have a buddy that has a 5 speed tranny and transfer case from a 1983. Will this do a direct bolt with no MODS.
05-30-2012, 04:21 PM
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No... the 5-speed will not "bolt up" without mods. Yes it will bolt straight up to the engine... but the driveshafts will need to be modified. The transfer case mount (cross member) will also need to be modified. If you have an abundance of parts vehicles, you may be able to find driveshafts that will work... or yank the shafts out of the donor vehicle. I have a 80 model. I welded a piece of c-channel to my existing mount, and extended the mounting location for the transfer case approx 5". It works great. That way you don't have to relocate the angle iron on the frame that the cross member bolts to. Also take a look at where the transfer case shifter is located. I used a forward shift transfer case to place the shifter (transfer case) in almost the stock location. I love my 5-speed. So much better then the 4-speeds!
05-30-2012, 05:53 PM
#4
No... the 5-speed will not "bolt up" without mods. Yes it will bolt straight up to the engine... but the driveshafts will need to be modified. The transfer case mount (cross member) will also need to be modified. If you have an abundance of parts vehicles, you may be able to find driveshafts that will work... or yank the shafts out of the donor vehicle. I have a 80 model. I welded a piece of c-channel to my existing mount, and extended the mounting location for the transfer case approx 5". It works great. That way you don't have to relocate the angle iron on the frame that the cross member bolts to. Also take a look at where the transfer case shifter is located. I used a forward shift transfer case to place the shifter (transfer case) in almost the stock location. I love my 5-speed. So much better then the 4-speeds!
However you are incorrect- L series 50/52 speeds(came stock in 81-83) are the same length as L43 and L45 4 speeds.
I have used both in my '81.
L43=about 20 3/4" Long
L50/52 = about 20 3/4" long
G,W & R series are about 25" long and need the cross member moved, D/S (r)shortened/(F)lenghthened
Last edited by dropzone; 05-30-2012 at 05:57 PM. Reason: added pics
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05-31-2012, 10:10 PM
#8
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no clue on the diesels...but when i did the 5speed swap on my 80 there were 2 bolts i had to replace for longer ones due to the L52 bellhousing had deeper holes. if you put in a g54 and put duals in, a factory 86 straight driveline will bolt directly in for the rear. the front is a bit longer.
06-01-2012, 05:08 AM
#9
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...n-help-230964/
but this info from Big Mike of Marlin Crawler might help (i figure he should be a reliable source
):Check out our Transmission Input Bearing Identification Chart at the bottom of this page.
L45 4-speed (what you have) and a L50 5-speed both use either a 63/32N input bearing or a 032-2.
The L52 5-speed, which was only available in 1983, has a slightly stronger input bearing with either B32-14UR or 32BC08S1N part number written on the bearing race.
You will need to remove the nose cone from the transmission to expose and read the numbers from the input bearing race.
Really pulling the front nose cone is going to be the best way to ID the transmission.
Regards,
BigMike
L45 4-speed (what you have) and a L50 5-speed both use either a 63/32N input bearing or a 032-2.
The L52 5-speed, which was only available in 1983, has a slightly stronger input bearing with either B32-14UR or 32BC08S1N part number written on the bearing race.
You will need to remove the nose cone from the transmission to expose and read the numbers from the input bearing race.
Really pulling the front nose cone is going to be the best way to ID the transmission.
Regards,
BigMike
Bingo. But you'll never know what the previous owner did to the truck and it's possible someone could have slapped in a L50 junkyard special into their '83 Hilux.
There actually is a way to know if the transmission is from an 83 simply by reading the serial number stamped into the bottom of the cast iron housing. If the first and second digits are 211 or 212, or if the first number is a 3, then 100% no questions asked it is a L52.
Regards,
BigMike
There actually is a way to know if the transmission is from an 83 simply by reading the serial number stamped into the bottom of the cast iron housing. If the first and second digits are 211 or 212, or if the first number is a 3, then 100% no questions asked it is a L52.
Regards,
BigMike
Since I am at work right now, I asked Marlin if there are any other ways than what I mentioned, and he said to check if the nose cone has an oil seep hole right on the release bearing section of the nose cone. If so then it's a L52. It is a small 1/8" or 1/4" hole (I don't know the actual size) and it's positioned on the machined release bearing section of the nose cone straight down at 6 o'clock. Marlin said he'll simply reach into the bellhousing and grab the nose cone, and immediately he'll know if it's a L50 or L52 if he feels that hole or not.
That is much better than removing the nose cone, so definitely cool, thanks Marlin!
BigMike
That is much better than removing the nose cone, so definitely cool, thanks Marlin!
BigMike
10-17-2012, 07:28 PM
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dropzone
just realized today. That you answer my question about the L50/L52 trans. dont know how to be alerted when this happens. I was just cruising the site and found this. so thank you very much. extremely helpful.
just realized today. That you answer my question about the L50/L52 trans. dont know how to be alerted when this happens. I was just cruising the site and found this. so thank you very much. extremely helpful.
10-17-2012, 09:36 PM
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Are you running oversized tires? L50/L52 transmissions had problems with input shaft bearing failure if running oversized tires. G,W,R transmissions have a larger input shaft bearing.
10-17-2012, 09:40 PM
#13
alright,i have a question,if i go to a g-series from a L43 can i use the rear driveshaft out of the same donor truck and lengthen the front? or can you use both donor driveshafts? or are the flanges different?
Last edited by cman1; 12-17-2012 at 05:23 PM.
10-18-2012, 06:33 AM
#14
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What you stated were facts but "problems" is a strong statment. The G, W, and R trannys are stronger, but the stock L50 lasted 420K mi and my Nix99 junkyard rebuild L50/52 (not sure, prolly 50) has about 35k pushing 31's and the last 70k turning 35's. My truck is no pavement princess, I use (and abuse) it like a truck. I feel for a "non wheeler", the L50/52 is totally fine and no reason to go into crossmember and driveline mods. If you're really worried about it, Marlin makes a HD L52. Prolly what I'll get when mine decides it's had enough abuse.
10-18-2012, 06:58 AM
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What you stated were facts but "problems" is a strong statment. The G, W, and R trannys are stronger, but the stock L50 lasted 420K mi and my Nix99 junkyard rebuild L50/52 (not sure, prolly 50) has about 35k pushing 31's and the last 70k turning 35's. My truck is no pavement princess, I use (and abuse) it like a truck. I feel for a "non wheeler", the L50/52 is totally fine and no reason to go into crossmember and driveline mods. If you're really worried about it, Marlin makes a HD L52. Prolly what I'll get when mine decides it's had enough abuse.
10-18-2012, 09:45 AM
#16
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I've just seen a couple of these have issues, one of which was my old 82 pickup tranny took a dump after putting on 33's. "The first 4wd pickup 5 speed overdrives built from 1981 through 1983 have a somewhat weak input gear bearing design. These transmissions fare poorly if a heavy load is placed on the overdrive (fifth) gear. Oversized tires will create a problem here". Quote by Moses Ludel Toyota Truck and Landcruiser owners bible.
10-18-2012, 11:36 AM
#17
"The first 4wd pickup 5 speed overdrives built from 1981 through 1983 have a somewhat weak input gear bearing design. These transmissions fare poorly if a heavy load is placed on the overdrive (fifth) gear. Oversized tires will create a problem here". Quote by Moses Ludel Toyota Truck and Landcruiser owners bible.
**edit: just googled Moses Ludel--he writes stuff on both Jeeps and Toyota's--mostly jeeps so I think he is prejudiced
Yes the L series 5 speed isn't the strongest transmission on the planet, but it kicks butt on an l-43. A lot of F-toy guys like the shorter L-series 5 speeds because of the fit.
The only reason I destroyed an L-52 was i was an idiot and flat towed my truck and it kicked into gear and toasted the output shaft and my front t/c. They are getting harder to find hence why I have two extras now.
The big advantage to keeping with an L-series 5 speed in a 79-83 is that you don't need to worry about/spend $$$ on driveshafts and moving your crossmember.
Last edited by dropzone; 10-18-2012 at 11:38 AM.
10-18-2012, 11:45 AM
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tranny swap
Remember, going from a 4 speed to a 5 speed isn't going to increase your top end speed. It will only give you more gears in getting there. Your top end speed is affected by your gears in your differentials. If you're looking to get better gas mileage or have more options off-road for gearing, the 5 speed swap is worth it.
10-18-2012, 11:54 AM
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never even heard of that guy.
**edit: just googled Moses Ludel--he writes stuff on both Jeeps and Toyota's--mostly jeeps so I think he is prejudiced
Yes the L series 5 speed isn't the strongest transmission on the planet, but it kicks butt on an l-43. A lot of F-toy guys like the shorter L-series 5 speeds because of the fit.
The only reason I destroyed an L-52 was i was an idiot and flat towed my truck and it kicked into gear and toasted the output shaft and my front t/c. They are getting harder to find hence why I have two extras now.
The big advantage to keeping with an L-series 5 speed in a 79-83 is that you don't need to worry about/spend $$$ on driveshafts and moving your crossmember.
**edit: just googled Moses Ludel--he writes stuff on both Jeeps and Toyota's--mostly jeeps so I think he is prejudiced
Yes the L series 5 speed isn't the strongest transmission on the planet, but it kicks butt on an l-43. A lot of F-toy guys like the shorter L-series 5 speeds because of the fit.
The only reason I destroyed an L-52 was i was an idiot and flat towed my truck and it kicked into gear and toasted the output shaft and my front t/c. They are getting harder to find hence why I have two extras now.
The big advantage to keeping with an L-series 5 speed in a 79-83 is that you don't need to worry about/spend $$$ on driveshafts and moving your crossmember.
10-19-2012, 05:27 AM
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Remember, going from a 4 speed to a 5 speed isn't going to increase your top end speed. It will only give you more gears in getting there. Your top end speed is affected by your gears in your differentials. If you're looking to get better gas mileage or have more options off-road for gearing, the 5 speed swap is worth it.
