got a 82 with a 4 speed. still learning the trans codes but im still lost
mines a 4 speed cast iron. would love to swap to a 5 speed
which trans can i use and can i keep my current transfer case or best to buy one complete. which 5 speeds is best. i remember reading somewhere that the 1st 5 speeds wasnt that great. thanks for the help

 

Quoted from PBB:

Pickup and 4Runner Transmissions with 1st gear ratios.
L43 4 speed 79 - 80 3.67
L45 4 speed 81 - 82 3.93
L50 5 speed 81 - 82 3.93
L52 5 speed 83 3.93
G52 & G54 5 speed 84 - 88 (Carb) 3.93
W56 5 speed 85 - 95 (EFI) 3.95 Manual Hub Equipped Vehicles 89 and up Have W56, 89 and up ADD vehicles have G58.
R151F 5 speed 86 - 87 (turbo only) 4.31
G58 5 speed 89 - 95 3.93 ADD Equipped Vehicles
R150F (6 cyl) 5 speed 88+ 3.83

Identification:
G52/54 84-88' are twin stick, use a 8 bolt center section, 6 bolt gear t/case pattern, 21 spline output.
G58 89-95' twin stick, 8 bolt center, 9 bolt chain t/case, 26 spline
W56 85-88' (single stick), 89-95' (twin stick), 10 bolt center, 6 bolt t/case, 21 spline
R151F 86 - 87 (turbo only) will have two housings of four bolts each just like a G52, the difference would be the large rubber plug on the bottom of the bellhousing.

Info provided by Marlin Cralwer
All 84 to 95 22R trans are 25.5" long including the bellhousing. The only shorter trans is the 79-83 year trans which are 20.75" long with bellhousing. These early short trans have had a poor service record due in part to their small bearings and lighter gears. The 82-83 L52 5 speed which had a 80 x 20 mm front input bearing has had the best service record. A number of years ago, I invented a way to install a oversize 80 x 23 mm input bearing with an inproved gear set which features a greater helix angle for added strenght. I call it my L52HD and is the strongest 20.75" long trans.

 

so L50 and L52 will work, whats the difference between the two

 

Per my post above, the L52 has the best service record of the "short trans" and is abile to be upgraded by marlin.

 

how can i tell the difference of a L50 and L52 when i find one local?. thanks again, been much help

 

Beyond taking a few pictures of the pictures of the transmission in my '83 I can't answer that.

 

I'm not positive there's a way by looking at the outside of it to know if it's a 50 or 52...so you just need to know it came from an 83.

 

Check out our Transmission Input Bearing Identification Chart at the bottom of this page.

L45 4-speed (what you have) and a L50 5-speed both use either a 63/32N input bearing or a 032-2.

The L52 5-speed, which was only available in 1983, has a slightly stronger input bearing with either B32-14UR or 32BC08S1N part number written on the bearing race.

You will need to remove the nose cone from the transmission to expose and read the numbers from the input bearing race.

Really pulling the front nose cone is going to be the best way to ID the transmission.

Regards,
BigMike

 

Bingo. But you'll never know what the previous owner did to the truck and it's possible someone could have slapped in a L50 junkyard special into their '83 Hilux.

There actually is a way to know if the transmission is from an 83 simply by reading the serial number stamped into the bottom of the cast iron housing. If the first and second digits are 211 or 212, or if the first number is a 3, then 100% no questions asked it is a L52.

Regards,
BigMike

 

thanks mike, i still need to find time to get to your shop. you guys have the front knuckle rebuild kits in stock?

 

Big Mike: I am so glad that you are contributing to YT with your wealth of knowledge..this is some awesome stuff to know

 

Jus do eeeeet! Yes Sir, we have both 17mm and 25mm rebuild kits in stock

I suffer from an extreme case of amnesia so I'll try my best

 

Since I am at work right now, I asked Marlin if there are any other ways than what I mentioned, and he said to check if the nose cone has an oil seep hole right on the release bearing section of the nose cone. If so then it's a L52. It is a small 1/8" or 1/4" hole (I don't know the actual size) and it's positioned on the machined release bearing section of the nose cone straight down at 6 o'clock. Marlin said he'll simply reach into the bellhousing and grab the nose cone, and immediately he'll know if it's a L50 or L52 if he feels that hole or not.

That is much better than removing the nose cone, so definitely cool, thanks Marlin!

BigMike

 

sweet thanks, awesome info. now to start looking for a L52 which im guess should bolt right up to my transfer case?

 

Yessir

 

I question the idea that the L52 was 1983 only, unless I am missing something. My 1981 has the L52 listed on the VIN tag as the transmission. I also have the Toyota factory service manual which lists the L 45, 48 and 52 as the available trans missions for both 2WD and 4WD. There is a W50 transmission listed but only for the 2WD trucks. In talking to the local rebuild kit supplier I was told that there are two different front bearings for the L52.

In my 1983 Toyota service manual I have the G52, W42, W52, L45, L52 and still no L50 transmission

Can someone post some documentation on the L50? I have done searches, talked to the local tansmission kit supplier and have come up with nothing for the L50. Thanks

 

Good question...I've just been believing everything I read on the internet about Toyota trannys...

Hopefully BigMike will get insomnia again

 

feels like about a 1/8th hole...both my transmissions appear to be L-52's based on this.