1992 22RE dlx extended cab 4x4 manual G292 This is my work truck. I dont drive freeway or long distance, it goes up and down rough mountain roads/driveways, not "off road'n"

In the case of replacing the front drive shaft, is the G and W series transmission interchangeable?

I need to replace my front drive shaft as the U joint at the front end of it seized, snapped and took part of the yokes with it. I have it out of the truck, my issue is finding the proper replacement. I have now ordered 2 different drive shafts and both times being sent ones that dont fit, including from Rockauto. The issue both times is the rear flange is different and the bolt holes don't line up. Both times I was told it was a direct fit. I'd prefer to just replace the whole thing look pretty rough.

In my attempts to locate the proper drive shaft, I see some that are listed as W transmission series, but have yet to find any listed as G like mine.

So:
Are the G and W interchangeable in this case?
Why are these flanges so different?
Should I only buy new OEM?
If buying a used one, things to look out for?
Other suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Cheers

Chad

 

I don't specifically know what pattern your truck requires, but Toyota used a few different bolt patterns on their drivelines over the years.
you could measure your existing pattern and make sure you get a front driveline with the same pattern or you could keep the driveline you have and get something like this:
Triple Drilled Driveline Flange (lowrangeoffroad.com)
(You would want to pick the "transfer case" version for your aplication)

 

Thanks for that idea, i didnt know something like that existed. Im going to consider that. My only concern is I think Ive received a drive shaft for the "W" transmission, and am still unsure if that would cause problems with my "G".

 

Should make no difference. Driveline only needs to be right bolt pattern and right length.
Both of those transmissions are of the same length, only the old "L" series were shorter. See here:
Transmission Gear Ratio Chart | Marlin Crawler, Inc.
Far right column has length.
That being what it is, there are really only 2 transfer case options pre Tacoma trucks, Gear and Chain drive. Pretty much every 22R/22RE truck and 4runner is gear drive transfer case.
You can unbolt a gear drive t-case from any L, G, and W trans and swap it to another different one (with a few exceptions). So there really isn't a "right driveline for this transmission", it's t-case output dependent.

You could also drill your existing output flange on your t-case to the pattern of the driveline you have now. Just clock the pattern so you have plenty of meat between your new holes and the existing ones.

Just thought of this, when the pattern didn't line up, did you try turning it 90°? Some patterns are really close to square, but not quite.

 

Bingle nailed it. If it's the right length just pull the flange to drill another set of holes or get the triple drilled flange.

It's real easy to re drill. It centers itself so you just rotate to a spot with no holes, clamp it and drill it. Put a bolt through after the first hole so there is no chance it moves. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the information. Some options to consider. I definitely rotated the flange and the holes did not line up regardless in either alignment.

 

aztoyman - thanks for the vote of confidence. My first thought about drilling out the flange was there was no way id get it centered, lol. Appreciate the info!

 

Well, after doing some more searching around I found a nice used drive shaft on Ebay that was an exact fit. So I sent the brand new one I bought from Rockauto back and have the used one installed and im back on the road.

Thanks for all the info. While I didnt choose to do some of the option suggested, I really appreciate the assistance.

Cheers