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Hi guys!
I'm looking for some advices on a transmission swap, I've been reading around but I can't find anything about the R156.
I have a 2000 Hilux (DCB DLX 2WD) with a 2RZ-FE engine and a W56 transmission.
My W56 has some bearing issues and I'd swap it instead of rebuilding it since I'm preparing the engine for turbo.
I have found a R156 (Chile SPEC - EURO 5 REGULATION) transmission but the bellhousing is different.
W56 bellhousing
R156 transmission
Any suggestions on how to perform this swap if possible at all? I'm currently investigating if there is a compatible bellhousing.
Last edited by Akurasix; 12-01-2022 at 09:52 AM.
Reason: Swap is now done.
This bell-housing kit allows you to run an R-series transmission behind your 2RZ motor.
However, we have not tested this with an R156 transmission.
Our builder believes that it will work for you based on the pictures. The number of bolts, pattern, dowel pins, are all the same.
That's cool!
What else do you guys think I should keep in mind?
The input shaft splines count for both transmissions is 21, I have confirmed it physically.
Part numbers reference:
R156 33301-0K030 (21S-29T-37T)
W56 33301-30080 (21S-32T-39T)
2TR kit - uses R series fork, 2RZ/3RZ clutch/flywheel, 3RZ slave
I have no information on wiring.
Please keep in mind that you need to use the shorter style R-series input shaft and not the longer one (I do not have measurements).
So I can keep my current clutch and flywheel.
I have to check the input shaft length, I didn't pay attention to it.
About wiring, it looks like all I need to worry about is the speed sensor and the back-up lamp.
So it has finally arrived! I bought from amayama.com the 31111-26073 bellhousing, also known as the bellhousing for 2TR-FE engine.
This was my only option as I couldn't find it locally in a junkyard, and here it almost never sells standalone from the transmission.
It's a perfect fit, we will mount it soon and I will update this topic if I encounter with any issues.
Uh oh! I forgot to check output shaft compatibility.
W56 has 21 splines.
R156 has 23 splines.
Since I had a W56, my propeller shaft (driveshaft) also has 21 splines with universal joint part number 37302-35030.
I believe these are my possible solutions.
Number one,
Replace the propeller shaft universal joint for one with 23 splines from the R156 donor 2013 Toyota Hilux (KUN35).
Number two,
Replace the propeller shaft universal joint for one with 23 splines from a production vehicle from the same generation.
Part number is 37302-24010 but it's discontinued and I cannot find it to purchase online, it can be found in vehicles such as 1986-1993 Toyota Supra, 1995-2009 Toyota 4Runner (ATM only) and 1997-2006 Toyota Hilux (ATM only).
Number three,
Replace the transmission output shaft, I'm leaving this option out for now since it's way more complicated.
Number four,
Use a 23 to 21 coupler, this seems to be dangerous.
As you can see the position of the lever is way more closer to the rear, and it requires to cut the chassis so the lever doesn't touches the edge, I want to avoid this.
I have found a possible solution and have bought the parts to test it, the 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA (TRN220L-TRMDKA) uses a R155 transmission, it has the same bolt pattern as R156 (CHILE-SPEC) and very similar internals.
Most importantly, the shift lever position is further to the front just like the W56.
About the parts from the 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA (TRN220L-TRMDKA).
I decided to give it a last try by ordering directly from Toyota USA at https://parts.toyota.com.
They had them in stock and took less than 48 hours to ship them! They only ship within USA so I'm glad I have a friend over there who can act as a proxy to ship them to Chile.
I've bought the following parts:
1 HOUSING, SHIFT LEVER 3352135390
1 CAP, SHIFT LEVER 3355404040
1 BOOT, SHIFT LEVER 3355504040
1 RETAINER SUB-ASSEMBLY, CONTROL SHIFT LEVER (FOR FLOOR SHIFT) 3357035100
1 GASKET 3358471010
1 GASKET; PLUG; SEAT 9034112008
1 PLUG 9093003075
6 BOLT 91611B0825
Those are the final parts needed to finish this swap, as soon as I get them I will update again.
Parts installed successfully! I wasn't able to see the installation myself but the mechanics told me everything was a perfect fit and sent me a picture.
So now I have a 2013 Toyota Hilux R156 with 2011 Toyota Tacoma R155 housing shift lever parts with a short shifter with a 2000 Hilux W56 lever assembly.
Transmission will be probably mounted tomorrow.
This video was used as reference on how to access the shifting linkage.
Swap is done but there is one remaining issue.
Every gear grinds when shifting, it appears the slave cylinder rod from the W56 is too short for the R156.
It looks like clutch fork is doing only half travel upon inspection.
Tomorrow I will go purchase the slave cylinder (31470-0K030) which is to be used with this transmission and give it a try.
The new slave cylinder (31470-0K030) is now installed, there was some improvement but issues remains.
Current shifting behavior:
1st gear, no issues.
2nd gear, occasional grinding.
3rd gear, always grinding.
4th gear, no issues.
5th gear, always grinding.
Reverse gear, occasional "metallic clunk".
We are running out of ideas, I probably purchased a faulty transmission so it will be opened up for inspection (which I really wanted to avoid).
Maybe it's the short shifter? The transmission doesn't likes the new shifting lever arm parts? Any other ideas?
On another unrelated note, I finally was able to test my new hydraulic handbrake (inline setup) and the rear suspension modification my mechanic made to eliminate axle wrap, no more bouncing rear wheels, I can finally drift, still a long way to learn!
An update,
Sometimes I had issues where the transmission was getting engaged even when on neutral when releasing the clutch.
A new mechanic checked on it and found out the clutch release cylinder was working diagonally and the pin was not correctly aligned with the clutch fork.
To fix this he changed the clutch release bearing and the clutch release cylinder to the transmission donor parts, and for the clutch fork he used the W56 one.
Parts used:
31230-71011 BEARING ASSY, CLUTCH RELEASE (Bought it new because no longer had it and it is always recommended to use new bearings)
31470-0K030 CYLINDER ASSY, CLUTCH RELEASE (Bought it new because my mechanic suggested to do so because of all the stress the current one received)
31204-20071 FORK SUB-ASSY, CLUTCH RELEASE (Bought it new because I no longer have the original W56 transmission)