hiya sorry if this is a dumb question but would a Mtm from an american 4runner (or Pickup) work in a JDM 4runner..... my buddy and i are looking into doing a TDI swap but all of the kits are for USDM transmissions but our 4runner surf is Right hand drive..... meaning the starter and slave are in the way of the steering shaft... so is there a way to work around that? i have thought about just using the JDM transmission and getting an adapter custom fit but the problem we come across is there is no room for a starter on the Left side of the engine block as that is where the injection pump and coolant is all routed.... we are kinda stumped any help would be amazing

 

What specific trans are we talking about here?
My understanding is that the USDM and JDM trans are exactly the same, or at least, didn't swap sides for the starter.
I have been wrong before though...
Using a different trans than the stock one in the JDM 4rnr, one that is known to mate up well with the TDI shouldn't be a problem.
Sounds like bigger prob is you're wading into uncharted territory because of RHD.