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I recently leveled my 1985 Toyota Dolphin and am turning it into a flatbed truck. I am interested in swapping the 4 speed low geared tranny to one with a 5th gear for better fuel economy. I am hoping that it will be an easy project, but I've never worked with transmissions before.

So far I've removed the entire motorhome down to the original framing, cut the frame just over 3 feet shorter (so it's now just over 16'), and fixed my tow hitch at the cut with some lag bolts. The vehicle is significantly lighter at this point and I'm thinking that I will get an increased fuel economy with a 5 speed transmission. I'd imagine the lower geared tranny is unnecessary at this point. I do not plan on doing much heavy hauling either.

It was a 1985 Dolphin with a 1 ton dually axle. 22re engine with a 4 speed manual.

Will this transmission swap be a worthwhile project? Can the job be done with minimal tranny experience (and having the mechanics book for this rig)? Will a 5 speed of the same year even fit properly or will I need some other parts to make it fit?

Any advice I will greatly appreciate.

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I recently leveled my 1985 Toyota Dolphin and am turning it into a flatbed truck. I am interested in swapping the 4 speed low geared tranny to one with a 5th gear for better fuel economy. I am hoping that it will be an easy project, but I've never worked with transmissions before.

If ;you get the correct 5 speed trans - I believe it will be a bolt in swap with no mods required. 1984 and newer trucks have longer transmissions then the earlier trucks. If you've got a W46 four-speed - a W55 or W56 should fit right in. if you've got a G40 four speed, a G52 or G54 should fit.

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I'm guessing 22R, since the V6 wasn't around yet in 85? Any transmission which was originally bolted to an R-series engine, will bolt up to any other R-series engine.

Depending on the specific 5-speed you find, thing you may need to do are:

Shorten the rear driveshaft.

Cut the floorboard a little, as the gear shifter will be a little further back.

Move the transmission crossmember back.

Maybe pound out the transmission tunnel a bit more to fit the tranny.

But most of what I know about this relates to 79-83 4x4s. Won't be the same with a 2wd. 85 still had a 4-speed available? Crazy.

Someone put a 5-speed in my chinook. Haven't really crawled around to see what they may have modified, but they definitely cut and peeled back the floor of the cab a bit for the gear shifter.

Taking out a transmission is not hard, just dirty and heavy and awkward. Modifications necessary will depend...they aren't hard, but you may need some welding skills, and a basic understanding of why things are laid out the way they are,, if you're going to change how they're laid out...

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With the 1978-1983 trucks - a 5 speed can be swapped in the place of the four speed with NO mods. Same lengths, same driveshaft, same shifter location, same cross-member, etc. For example - a W50 five speed directly replaces the L42 four speed with no mods needed.

Later trucks - like 1985s - have longer 5 speeds then the older trucks. I think (but not 100% sure) - a 1985 four speed like a G40 is the same length as the 1985 five speed e.g. the G52 and G54.

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Good to know.

The conventional wisdom on all the 4x4 Toyota forums is that any later model 5-speed (not an L-series) is longer, so at minimum you're going to be cutting the floorboards, shortening the rear driveshaft, lengthening the front, and moving the crossmember back.

But I know how you feel about conventional wisdom!

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Good to know.

The conventional wisdom on all the 4x4 Toyota forums is that any later model 5-speed (not an L-series) is longer, so at minimum you're going to be cutting the floorboards, shortening the rear driveshaft, lengthening the front, and moving the crossmember back.

But I know how you feel about conventional wisdom!

I can't speak for the 4X4 transmissions. They don't have tail-shaft assemblies that determine overall length in a 2WD.

The 1978 to 1983 "L series" four speeds in 2WDs are around 21" long. Same for the "L series" and "W50" five speeds up through 1983. A W50 five speed directly replaces the L series four speed with no mods up through 1983.

1984 to 2004 (approx) G and W series five-speeds in 2WDs are 25 1/2" long. I'm not 100% sure in regard to the later G40, W42, and W46 four-speeds.

Toyota furnished Aisin four speed transmissions in trucks to at least 1995. The G40 and the W46.

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As far as I know it isn't marked anywhere. With 4x4 transmissions I can tell pretty well what they are by sight. I don't have that familiarity with 2wd. All I can tell you is that if it has the shifter off to the side, instead of coming out the top, you don't want it!

Yeah, compare to photos.

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Would there be any disadvantages to swapping in a 5spd in a Chinook? Better MPG would be nice, but is the 4spd better geared for the weight of the Chinook?

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Would there be any disadvantages to swapping in a 5spd in a Chinook? Better MPG would be nice, but is the 4spd better geared for the weight of the Chinook?

Disadvantage at which end? I cannot perceive any disadvantage at the top end (final gear). In a 4 speed, 4th is 1 to 1 ratio. In a 5 speed, 4th is still 1 to 1 ratio. But you get the added benefit of an overdrive in 5th gear that will reduce engine RPMs and increase fuel mileage when road conditions allow using it. On the bottom end - you need a gear low enough to allow getting started on hills without lugging the engine or burning the clutch. The original 4 speed in a Chinook has a 1st gear that is lower (better) then the W50 5 speed that is often used as an "easy" swap. There are other 5 speeds with much lower 1st gears - even lower then the original 4 speed. All depends on what you want and what sort of driving conditions you get into.

The original 4 speed in a Chinook in 1st gear: 5 MPH – 510 RPM, 15 MPH -1530 RPM

A 1978 W50 5 speed in 1st gear: 5 MPH – 484 RPM, 15 MPH -1453 RPM

A W56 5 speed in 1st gear: 5 MPH – 528 RPM, 15 MPH –1585 RPM

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There's a 5 speed in mine. Can't tell you what model...I'll try to find out at some point. 1st gear is plenty low.

Here are some of my notes on Toyota transmissions. Not very interesting reading but might help some who wish to ID or choose a new trans.

Toyota Transmissions:

“Short” transmissions:

1978 L and W series are 20.8” long including bell-housing.

L43, L45, L50, L52 are all the same 20.8” length and have a 21 spline output:

W50 5 spd, 20R, 1975-86, 1st has 3.28 ratio, 75 mm X 20 mm input bearing

L50 5 spd 1981-1982, 22R, has a 3.92 ratio 1st gear, 75mm x 19mm input bearing

L52 5 spd 1983, 22R, 3.92 ratio in 1st gear, 80mm X 20 mm input bearing (best?)

Longer 25.5” transmissions with 21 spline outputs:G52, 1984-86, 22R, 3.92 ratio in 1st gear, 80mm X 20 mm input bearing – openG54, 1986-88, 22R, 3.92 ratio in 1st gear, 80mm X 23 mm input bearing – sealedW56, 1986-95, 22RE, 3.95 ratio in 1st gear
 
 
1981 Truck RN 4x2 22R L48 4 spd man
     W50 5 spd man
     A43 3 spd auto
     A43D 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R L45 4 spd man
     L52 5 spd man
  LN 4x2 L L52 5 spd man
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1982 Truck RN 4x2 22R L48 4 spd man
     L52 5 spd man
     W50 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R L45 4 spd man
     L52 5 spd man
  LN 4x2 L L52 5 spd man
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1983 Truck RN 4x2 22R W42 4 spd man
     W52 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R L52 5 spd man
  LN 4x2 L G52 5 spd man
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1984 Truck RN 4x2 22R W42 4 spd man
    22-RE W52 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R G52 5 spd man
  LN 4x2 2L G52 5 spd man
  LN 4x4 2L G52 5 spd man
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1985 Truck RN 4x2 22R W46 4 spd man
    22-RE W56 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
     A340E 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R G52 5 spd man
    22-RE W56 5 spd man
     A340H 4 spd auto
  LN 4x2 2L G52 5 spd man
    2L-T W56 5 spd man
   4x4 2L-T W56 5 spd man
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1986 Truck RN 4x2 22R W46 4 spd man
    22-RE W56 5 spd man
    22-RTE G52 5 spd man
     R150 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
     A340E 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R G52 5 spd man
    22-RE W56 5 spd man
    22-RTE R151F 5 spd man
     A340H 4 spd auto
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1987 Truck RN 4x2 22R W46 4 spd man
    22-RE W55 5 spd man
    22-RTE W56 5 spd man
     R150 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R G52 5 spd man
    22-RE W56 5 spd man
    22-RTE R151F 5 spd man
     A340H 4 spd auto
 LandCruiser FJ  2F H42 4 spd man
 
1988 Truck RN 4x2 22R G40 4 spd man
    22-RE W46 4 spd man
    22-RTE W55 5 spd man
  RN/VN   W56 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
  RN 4x4 22R G58 5 spd man
    22-RE W56 5 spd man
    22-RTE R151F 5 spd man
  RN/VN  3VZ-E A340H 4 spd auto
 LandCruiser FJ  3F-E A440H 4 spd auto
 
1989 Truck RN 4x2 22R G40 4 spd man
    22-RE W46 4 spd man
  RN/VN  3VZ-E G57 5 spd man
     W55 5 spd man
     R150 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
     A340E 4 spd auto
  RN/VN 4x4 (22R)? G58 5 spd man
  RN  22-RE W56 5 spd man
  RN/VN  3VZ-E R151F 5 spd man
     A340H 4 spd auto
 LandCruiser FJ  3F-E A440H 4 spd auto
 
1990 Truck RN/VN 4x2 22R G40 4 spd man
     G57 5 spd man
    22-RE W46 4 spd man
     W55 5 spd man
     A43D 4 spd auto
    3VZ-E R150 5 spd man
     A340E 4 spd auto
   4x4 22-RE W56 5 spd man
     G58 5 spd man
     A340F 4 spd auto
    3VZ-E R150F 5 spd man
     A340H 4 spd auto
 4Runner RN/VN 4x2 22-RE A44D 4 spd auto
    3VZ-E A340E 4 spd auto
   4x4 22-RE W56 5 spd man
     G58 5 spd man
     A340F 4 spd auto
     A340H 4 spd auto
    3VZ-E R150F 5 spd man
     A340H 4 spd auto

LandCruiser FJ 3F-E A440H 4 spd auto

1975-78 W50, 2 liter, Iron case, aluminum bellhousing and tailhousing, rear load - ball input bearing (63/32)

1975-80 W50, 2.2, Iron case, aluminum bellhousing and tailhousing, rear load - ball input bearing (63/32)

1981-86 W50, 2.4, Iron case, aluminum bellhousing and tailhousing, rear load

1983-88, G52, 2.4, Aluminum case, 8 bolt front retainer - 20mm wide input bearing (B32-14UR or 32BC08S1N) nut on back of countershaft - or - Aluminum case, - 8 bolt front retainer - 23mm wide input bearing number 32TM03 or 32BCS4 nut on back of countershaft

1983-1991 W55/W56, 2.4, Aluminum case, removable bellhousing - 7 bolt front retainer 20mm wide input bearing (HR6307 or 6307-N)- 1st-2nd synchro assembly and 3rd-4th synchro assembly use wire type springs

1983-1991 W55/W56, 2.4, Aluminum case, removable bellhousing - 7 bolt front retainer 23mm wide input bearing inner race (35TM11) - 20mm wide input bearing outer race (HR6307) - this kit is only used if truck has had an OE replacement input installed

1985-88, R151, 2.4, 1 Ton - 72mm O.D. rear mainshaft bearing - 92mm O.D. input bearing (040-1), (35TM03), (DG4092 or 40TM05) - 1st and 2nd synchro assembly uses typical wire type springs - all synchro rings are single piece designm O.D. rear mainshaft bearing - 92mm O.D. input bearing (040-1), (35TM03), (DG4092 or 40TM05) - 1st and 2nd synchro assembly uses typical wire type springs - all synchro rings are single piece design

1986-88, R151, 2.4 turbo, Turbo - 72mm O.D. rear mainshaft bearing - 92mm O.D. input bearing (040-1), (35TM03), (DG4092 or 40TM05) - 1st and 2nd synchro assembly uses typical wire type springs - all synchro rings are single piece design m O.D. rear mainshaft bearing - 92mm O.D. input bearing (040-1), (35TM03), (DG4092 or 40TM05) - 1st and 2nd synchro assembly uses typical wire type springs - all synchro rings are single piece design

1992-1995 W58, 2.4 engine - Aluminum case, removable bellhousing - 7 bolt front retainer - 23mm wide input bearing (35TM11) - 1st-2nd synchro assembly and 3rd-4th synchro assembly use coil type springs - 5th synchro ring is multi-piece design

1992-1995 W58, 2.4 engine Tacoma,Aluminum case, removable bellhousing - 23mm wide input bearing (35TM11) - 1st thru 4th synchro rings are single piece design, 5th ring is multi-piece

1983 L52 , 22R, 80 mm imput bearing and 3.92 1st gear, 20.8" long (last short one made) B32-14UR, 32BC08S1N input bearing

1981-82 L50, 22R, 75 mm imput bearing and 3.92 1st gear, 20.8" long 63/32N input bearing or 032-2

1981-82 L45, 22R, 75 mm imput bearing and 3.92 1st gear, 20.8" long 63/32N input bearing or 032-2

1979-80 L43, 20R, 75 mm imput bearing and 3.67 1st gear, 20.8" long 6207N input bearing

1985-91, W56, 22RE, 25.5" long, has same 21 splines, 3.95 1st gear, 6307-N, HR6307-N

(80 mm X 35mm X 21 mm).

1984-86 G52, 22R, 25.5" long, has same 21 splines, 3.92 1st gear, 80mm X 20 mm input bearing

1986-88 G54, 22R, 25.5" long, has same 21 splines, 3.92 1st gear, 80mm X 23 mm input bearing

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  • 7 years later...

So if i have a 1981 2wd toyota dolphin 500 series (basically a toyota hilux with a 1 ton dual axle) with an L48 4 spd in it, which 5 spd transmission can i directly bolt into it? The W50 would have too high of a 1st gear ratio from the sounds of it?

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I guess what do you expect to gain? Both transmissions are direct in 4th gear (1 to 1)  the 5 speed gives you a slight overdrive  So with a 22R do you think it will pull the load in OD? Most people with the automatic do not use 4th (overdrive). Now if you regear the diff to like 4:56 then maybe you could use OD. This gets expensive fast.

Edited by Maineah
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I have a friend  who did that exact switch in her 81 Sunrader. The W50 only lasted a short while and now she's kicking herself for not keeping her 4 speed. She never got the expected fuel savings or really any benefit for the 5 speed. You also will have to move the shifter because the W50 is back farther. A former member here used a W54 and said it fit perfect. Has better gearing for the weight of these rigs and the shifter is in the same place as your original. Don't know if he needed to make any alterations but he said he didn't

Linda S

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Ohmm, grasshopper your truck is fitted with a (sorta) balanced system. You need to maintain the balance. If your not changing the HP rating, and you want to change to a 5 sp, then you need to change the rear axle ratio to maintain balance. You can still maintain a lower rpm than with a 4 sp.

W56

W59

R156

all are good starting points, no idea about lengths and bolt patterns

RPM in 4th gear 4.10 (stock) ratio  60 mph 3200 rpm

RPM in 5th gear 4.56 ratio @60 mph 2970 rpm

Rpm in 5th gear 4.88 ratio @60 mph 3075 rpm

Just a random thought, you do realize that there were a zillion 4 sp Toyota pickups running around California at 75 mph and 4000 rpm, they have/had long lives

Edited by WME
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I guess with the 5spd im looking for more gears to quiet the engine at highway speed but also geared low enough that, living in Washington, i can still pull the passes and maybe even make it up to the mountains in the winter. 

 

The 4spd in it needs to be rebuilt (slips out of 3rd) anyway, so im just doing some soul searching.

 

Also, i added a picture of it in my profile

Edited by 81Dolphin
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Ok you have special requirements;)

A 5sp by its self wont help. Add a rear axle ratio change and you can go up hill in a higher gear or a steeper hill in a lower gear. Going up hill in 3rd instead of 2nd means about a 5-15 mph increase in mph, depending on the hill.

A parallel thought with a automatic and just a gear change, remember that O/D in an automatic is 30% and a 5 speed is 20%.

http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?/topic/10175-410-to-488-third-member-change-need-real-life-feedback/&tab=comments#comment-95076

 

Edited by WME
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  • 9 months later...

Looking to buy a rebuilt L48 transmission, and having troubles locating one.  Does anybody have any ideas?  Alternatively, are there any transmissions which can be swapped for the L48?
Thanks!

Happy camping!

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  • 1 year later...

Hi, I would like to put a 5 speed In my 1980 18R RN46R 4X4 HILUX (pickup in the USA). Low gearing in the first 2 gears is a must, as I live in steep 4x4 access area. It is currently fitted with a Weber 32/36 so would like 3rd to have some pep. currently 2nd has the most Power. Tossing up between a w50, w55 or w56.

any input appreciated.

cheersC744F6B8-1343-4574-BE87-73F3CDCC02B6.jpeg.bb7412a4cb16ea3f3774cca5e39e1f43.jpeg

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I assume you have a 4 speed now? A G54 will give the most for your money and It's the same length as the w50. You can check the different gear ratios here. The other ones you listed are all about the same. G54 is a noticeable improvement.

Gear Ratio Calculator (grimmjeeper.com)

Just plug in the model trannie and first thing that comes up is the gear ratio

Linda

1?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJECNKOVMCCU3ATNQ&Expires=1658832414&Signature=%2FOt2DS7gNuXVWcvy8qBhkX%2FMPxk%3D

 

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