So my truck has a sad 3rd and 4th gear. It's a w56. Found an 86 w56 on Craigslist and was wondering if it would be a direct swap for my current transmission (89 w56)

 

The w56 came in three styles. Marlin calls them an "a" "b" or "c"

Make sure you get a top shift if yours is a top shift. ( transfercase has a shifter coming out of it. Only one shifter from trans itself)

Make sure you get a forward shift if thats what you have. ( 2 shifters out of trans, none from transfercase)

 

Thanks for the tip.
One last question, do all 3 models have the same bolt pattern and what not? Or is the letters different shift locations?

Can there be a top shift and a forward shift c tranny or does c mean its top only?

I hope I'm wording this right haha