i have a 83 parts truck the tranny looks driffrent will they fit

 

Yeah.... it will fit. Are you swaping a 5 spd. for a 5spd.? 4 for 4, 5 for 4, 4 for a 5? The trannies are all the same legnth 4 or 5 spd 79-83. The tunnel may give you a bit of trouble... just push it up some w/ a 2x4 and a jack.

 

weren't '83 5 speeds the best of the 79-83 trannies? i remember hearing anything before 82.5(at least for 5 speeds) was total bad news. i'm itching to get rid of the l43 and swap in a w56 or l52, but don't have any money

 

Kyle... you are correct sir! The 83 L52 had a larger main bearing wich was less prone to failure than the earlier L50. Speaking of no money, I got my L52 for $75.00 off a guy on the PBB. All the 4 spd 79-83 were reasonably descent trannies and could be rebuilt for not to much cash. I really liked the 4 spd. that came with my 80, seemed to take alot of abuse and still kept cruising. The L52 brings the first gear ratio up to around 3:93 I believe so it has a slightly better crawl to it.

 

i'd kind of like the 5 speed so i could bump up my diff ratio to 4.56 or 4.88. i like my 31s so much it's almost getting hard to imagine wanting 33s or 35s eventually. seems she's turning into more of a fishing trip/expedition rig than a hardcore 4x4. i really want to hop up that 20R in it to give it some juice so it can get out of its own way

maybe i'll buy a 2wd truck or a completely trashed 4x4 and SAS it someday for a dedicated trail rig, i have the knowhow could probably end up cheaper in the end too, just weld the rear, lunchbox the front and dual cases

 

Yeah, when I installed my 5 pd. I put 4:88's in... Quite a difference! Youv'e seen my tan rig right? All that really sees are trails to the "good" fishing spots and some rougher than ussual back roads to get to where I need/ want to go.
Your Toy w/ just 31's can go a hell of a lot of places, without getting all fubar'd Admitingly, some of the "trails" to the good spots are pretty damn scary at best, but the Toy get's there every time! I think the greatest experience I had was just walking up a steep incline rutted and not even really a trail.... right past a full size dodge that had to winch up the same hill in the end. using my rig as the rock Then hearing them say "I can't believe that dude.... hemade it look cake!". IMO, the best rigs are 2wd Toys 75-95, 4wd toys 79-85 and Ye old cruisers Fj 40's and 45's.