Automatic in my 1979 4x4?
 

Hi Guys,

I have a 1979 4x4 1st Gen project I've been collecting parts for. This holiday season I was planning on swapping out the 20R with either the 22R or 22RE. I was wondering what would be involved in also fitting an automatic transmission? I figured while doing the overhaul I might as well try to do the conversion. Has anyone done this? Will I have to change my transfer case and driveshafts as well? Thanks

All I gotta ask is why!?

x2

4/5spd is stronger, better mpgs, and doesnt suck the little power that you have in front of it as much.

I know, most of you will be asking this. I guess it would be just for convienience and comfort driving around town..

Honestly, it will be ALOT more trouble than it's worth.

x2

I've killed 2 Toy autos behind 4cyls.

I bought my 87 4Runner with an auto, got 16mpg with 235s and 4.30s. It slipped once, ripped it out and put a W56 in. 22mpgs with 32s and 4.56s, and I could pull a hill in 4th/5th at speed.

Toyota's were meant to be manuals.

Let me put it this way, it will be more convinient having a manual because otherwise you'd be dealing with issues pertaining to the auto and fixing that every other week.

i understand where you guys are coming from with "it will be hard to swap" but toyota autos really arent that bad. my 2wd has 254,000 on it with the original trans. never been into just the fluid changed and it still works great. getting 24mpg. sure a 4wd would have more rolling mass and resistance with larger tires, but wouldnt you compensate that with proper axle gears? just saying. if the guy wants an auto, why not try to help him build it as well as it can be with an auto rather than bash it and tell him that autos suck and manual is better. in all actuality yes the manual is stronger and tougher and will last longer. but if the auto isnt neglected it should do just fine am i mistaken?

Never once did I say it would be a hard swap...it would be quite easy actually. But toy autos ARE bad, at least in my experience. Compensating for the auto via gears is just plain rediclious when compared to a manual. When I had the auto, 4.30s and 32s I couldn't pull a big local hill any faster than 35mph...on the floor, same set up with the 5spd, 55mph in 4th.

As I stated before...Toy autos suck what very little power is made ahead of it.

Thanks for the replies so far. What would be involved, and which 22r/e variation would work best?

best bet is to find a 22re with an auto already mated to it.
not really much is involved.
if you can buy a 4 cyl parts truck (most likely going to be a 4runner)

You're going to need a new transfer case too i believe.

could do the taco 2.7 with the auto then it would have some pep and bolt in the same

Autos Rock
 

I've done the "upgrade" to an auto behind my 22r in my '82, it's sweet for wheelin' and well worth it.:great: Unless you are just building a lifted DD to drive around then you will want more power probably. :D So do the swap change diff gears to 5.29's not 4.88's, change drive lines, build a new trans cross member, add dual cases while you are at it, don't forget the 63" chev rear springs.:wrench:
For the auto you will need either all of the donor vehicles wiring or an aftermarket shift controller. The A340's are an electronic shift trans but very durable too so don't let that scare you. I run a fully manual shift controller in mine. The build link in my sig line has some good pics of the swap and all the above mentioned mods. So don't let the naysayers I want a 300hp Toyota DD with 36's scare you off.:nana: Do it and make a wheeler out of it. :great:

what size tires do you plan on turning with the auto? I wouldn't be using it for anything over a 31" tires. The bigger the tire and the taller the gear set, the more stress it's gonna put on that thing, especially the clutches. Possibly the converter.

And for those who say auto's are "better" for off-road, well, there is alot of reasons to use a manual trans on an offroad truck. There is a lot more you can do with a 5sp off-road than you can safely do with an auto. Yes they don't stall as much but you have much more control with the 5sp than you do with an auto.

And yes, I have wheeled both autos and manuals.

If the truck is only gonna see mall parking lots, then go with the auto, but if you are gonna actually wheel your truck on 33's or bigger, stay with the manual.

Autos Still Rock
 

Toyota used that same transmission behind 3.4's, Lexus used it behind V8's, Toyota used it behind turbo Supras, Jeep used it behind 4.0 I6's, I can list more but you get the point, so much for durability worries.:)

Choosing between an auto or manual is totally personal preference. I too have had both in wheelin' rigs and I prefer the auto hands down, but remember that is just my opinion. Like I said regear, but you will really need to do that anyway if you are serious about wheelin'. Now where can I find a parking lot to go play in?:nana::lof:

The truck already has 35s, it will be used for light wheeling at most. More likely to toot around town on weekends.

Heh that doesn't mean it's a durable trans. Look at the 47RE trans behind the Dodge diesels and v10's. Another horrible auto that comes to mind is the A4LD but I believe that might have only been used behind the 2.3 4cyl and 2.8/2.9 and maybe the 4.0 v6's in the Fords.

A340H

4 Speed Automatic Transmission (4x4)

Applications:

* 1988-1995 4x4 Trucks w/v-6
* 1990-1995 4Runner (4x4)
* 1998-2005 Toyota Altezza Gita Wagon (GXE15W and JCE15W)

(Gear ratios 1st-2.80, 2nd-1.53, 3rd-1.00, 4th-0.71, Rev.-2.39)


A340E (30-40LE)

Applications:

* 1987-1992 Cressida (30-40LE)
* 1986-1998 Toyota Supra non-turbo
* 1987-1998 Toyota Supra turbo
* 1995-1998 Pickup 2.4L I4, 3.0L V6, 3.4L V6 (Tacoma)
* 1993-1995 T100 3.0L V6
* 1993-1997 Previa 2.4L w/supercharger
* 1991-1997 Aristo 3.0L I6 Turbo
* 1992-2000 Lexus SC 300 3.0L I6
* 1990-1995 Crown Majesta 3.0L I6
* 1994-2000 Toyota Soarer 3.0L I6 (2JZ-GE)
* 1989-2002 4Runner
* 2001-2004 Sequoia (4x2)
* 2000-2004 Tundra (4x2)
* 2005-2007 TOYOTA COMMUTER 2.5L DIESEL

Ratios 1st:2.804 , 2nd:1.531 , 3rd:1 , 4th:0.705, Reverse: 2.393


A340F

Applications:

* 1995-2003 4Runner (4x4)
* 2000-2004 Tundra (4x4)
* 1985-1988 4-Pickup (4x4)

22RE with the auto behind it, complete harness, computers, all linkage, transfercase, and x-member mount.

FWIW, 5.71s will prolly be needed to compensate for the 35s and the auto. Offroad will be harder on the trans, think about a larger trans cooler while this whole thing is apart.

The swap shouldn't be hard, just pretty damn time consuming and involved. Especially if you want to keep your dash/body harness for the 1st gen.

150 horse at the motor is all i'm asking! :lof:

Not the DD anymore after SAS...and they are 37s thank you :booty: