Thoughts on a new transmission for 2nd Gen?

[the_fornicator]

Preface: I dumped about $15K into restoring a 1995 4Runner SR5 including purchase price, rebuilt the top-end of the engine, cut out all rust, welded in new panels, source rust-free doors from crashed Hiluxes, etc., etc. So, this vehicle means a fair bit to me. Now that I'm done the body work, I'm beginning to work on getting the thing mechanically sound. The thing has a piddly 189K kms on the 22RE so it's just broken in

That brings me to my transmission. My 4Runner has a w56 transmission in it, but the 2nd gear synchros are pretty worn out. I have to not only double-clutch, but time the up/down shift when shifting into 2nd as the RPMs start to drop.

I've decided to look into options for a new/used transmission. I called around to various wreckers and nowhere has a w56 with a reasonable amount of mileage -I've found one with 300+ kms on it and they want $500 for it. For that price, I might as well just rebuild. Given the mileage, I'm not guaranteed that the transmission will be in good condition so I don't want to go through the trouble of swapping out a transmission several times in a year.

That brings me to my current dilemma: I've managed to source a g52 transmission with supposedly 100K kms on it. I've done heaps of research and it appears that there's virtually no difference from a functional standpoint between the two transmissions. The w56 is "stronger", but the 22RE only has 114hp at the crank so the g52 can easily handle the output from the engine.

The person said he'd charge me $350 for the transmission only if I gave him my transmission on top. Otherwise, it would be $500 to outright buy the g52.

The deal doesn't seem bad if I end up with a clean and reliable transmission out of the deal, but does anybody know anything about the g52? The seller has mentioned that I'd need a plate to block off the hole at the top where the transfer case shifter goes. If I block off the transfer case shift hole, doesn't that mean I'll lose my 4WD (4H/4L) ability?

I've debated just getting the transmission rebuilt. The stubborn part of me wants to keep the w56, however, getting a solid and headache-free transmission in there for $350 + fluids seems awfully appealing.

Thoughts? Suggestions? What would you do? Will I be able to retain the 4WD ability if I swap to the g52? Not sure what that transfer case block off plate is all about.

Thanks!

 

[DeclansDaddy]

Not sure how plentiful those W-56's are north of the border but I'm looking into doing the swap from auto to man in my '86 and I've found plenty of them locally in the $250-350 range. I guess with anything used I could get screwed but even with 100km who knows how it was driven. I'm not sure if the tranfer case adapter would even work. Sounds like this guy is planning on deleting your 4wd which is about the worse thing you could do. Personally I'd wait it out and find a deal on a w-56 or rebuild. There is really nothing to a rebuild if you take your time and organize everything as you dismantle it. Good luck!!

 

[KidVermicious]

$350 for a junkyard transmission is about right. I see guys parting out trucks and selling W56s for as little as $100 to $150 around here, but there's probably a lot more guys parting out trucks here than where you're at.

The 4x4wire.com page says something about a difference in bolt pattern on the front seal retainer, not sure how that would affect the transmission bolting up in the truck.

I think if I were in your shoes I would rebuild. To drop $14,000 on the truck so far and then put in a junkyard/unknown trans seems silly.

 

[Menel]

Granted... it's much more expensive.

But I splurged on a Marlin rebuilt with their short shifter when mine died. I've only got maybe 8kmiles on it so far, but it's absolutely great. Love the way it feels.

 

[the_fornicator]

Granted... it's much more expensive.

But I splurged on a Marlin rebuilt with their short shifter when mine died. I've only got maybe 8kmiles on it so far, but it's absolutely great. Love the way it feels.

Thanks guys!

I was debating ordering a rebuilt one from marlin crawler but would imagine the shipping to Canada would absolutely kill me. Trying to plan a trip to drive down and back and somehow lump it into a vacation. Not sure how feasible that is though.

I think I'm going to buy that g52 outright from the guy (only if I can keep the 4wd functionality) and have the w56 kicking on the side until I can find a suitable place to rebuild it. The rebuild will be an easy $1000 venture.