So after doing a little reading about these transmissions I learned that the L50 which is in my 81 are pretty weak transmissions especially if I was to put bigger tires on the truck (33"). My question is what transmission would bolt up to the 22r and is a lot stronger? Thanks

 

I have had L50-2 work fine with 35's for years. The only issue i had with a L52 was when i was an idiot and did not pull the rear driveshaft when flat towing and the truck went into gear and destroyed a transmission
Any transmission you swap to other than an L Series is going to be 4" longer so you will need a longer front drive shaft and a shorter rear shaft.
A W56 is a good swap candidate..
the hot ticket is you can find one is a R151 out of a turbo, but it is a 23 spline output so you need to get the 23 spline T/C too

i would be more concerned with adequate gears before a transmission

 

My buddy has a L52 and he has replaced it twice, i'd suggest a G56. You would need to move the cross member and leangthen the front driveline and shorten the rear. It would connect right up to the engine.

 

My original L50 lasted ~420,000 miles. Mostly on stock size tires and last 40K or so on 31's. My rebuilt trans, don't know for sure if it's a 50 or 52, has about 80K on it turning 35's and about 110K total. I have not been gentle with it and do a lot of hauling heavy loads of firewood and it's doing just fine. I have found that using Redline MTL fluid in the trans helps. I'm not sure how much it helps with longevity of the trans, but makes it shift like butter.

 

change the gears in the rear ends. I'll trade you a g52 with driveshafts and cross member for that L50 if you want it.

 

Why would you suggest he find a G56? There is very little reference to them. Marlin doesn't even lIst them

 

he prolly meant w56. who knows. That L tranny is fine. I need one. I love my 4 speed but 4k @ 75mph gets old....

 

just rebuild it if it goes bad. only thing that busts is the rear mainshaft bearing.