I have a 79 with the original L43 4 speed in it behind a recently rebuilt 20/22r hybrid. I am running Old Man Emu springs with the stock hangers and 5" shackles with stock driveshafts. I just picked up a used R151 turbo tranny that is complete with bellhousing, transfer case, and shifters. I have been searching a bunch about swapping to the newer 5 speed and am hoping for a little more info.

1-Tunnel clearance? I have read about the having to pound out the transmission tunnel to make the newer tranny fit. Does anyone have a pic of doing this and exactly where I need to create more room? My R151 is forward shift so the shifters should stick up in about the same location correct? I'm fine with doing some trimming, just wanted to check.

2-Crossmember? I have read that you can just spin the existing crossmember around and the 2 existing rear bolt holes line up so you just have to tap 2 new holes. Once again, anyone have any pics? I would like to eventually switch to a budbuilt crossmember but if it is easy to use the stock one for now I'll do that.

3-Clutch? I have also read that I have to run a newer clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder. Should I just get the entire clutch assembly off a newer truck? Or can I just add a slave cylinder and use my existing master and line? The R151 has the clutch fork on it. Also, my clutch and flywheel are still in good shape. Can I use them or do I need to get a different clutch?

4-Driveshafts? I know the transmission is 4" longer. Will a front d.s. out of a 84-85 (or a clearenced IFS d.s.) be the correct length? Does anyone know what this length is? With the same thought, I think a 84-88 rear d.s. from a 4runner or SB will fit. Again, do you know the length? (seems like people have driveshafts sitting around but they don't exactly know what they are out of so some measurements would help when I am looking) I don't want to have my existing d.s. modified because the front spline has a lot of play and I would have to ship them somewhere to have it done.

That is a lot of questions, but I know there are at least a few people on here who have done this exact same swap(or a W56).

 

watching this.. would like to do this at some point. (but I'm sure 5 other threads of this already exist!)

 

Not sure if you've found info or not...what I always tell people with transmission questions that don't get answers here: Try Marlin Crawler's forum. A lot more technical Toyota transmission expertise over there.

 

I can't answer your questions in whole as I'm in the process of completing a swap myself (to include a 3RZ) but the W56-C that I'm putting in my truck appears to fit without any pounding on the transmission tunnel. The shifter holes line up as close as one could ask for with the orignal cut-out. It may need a little trimming, but definately not a whole section cut out..

I'm just waiting on my BudBuilt crossmember to see it's final position. I can say it's a pretty tight fit though as the W56 is a bit bigger than the L52 I took out.

I'd also agree with what 83 said.. Marlin's forum seems to have more knowledge in thier member base with regards to this topic.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I have a thread up on Marlin with the same questions but haven't had any action on it either. Looks like I might end up just figuring it out as I go. I was hoping to have everything laid out beforehand because now that it is winter I would have to make it happen in a weekend at friends shop.