I have a 1936 Chevy rat rod pickup. It's unique at car shows because it rides on a Toyota pickup chassis.
After 12 years I am sick of the cookie-cutter 350/350 Chevy the original builder installed. I just bought a 1985 Toyota 2wd pickup with a good 22r.
I'll be using the engine, transmission, and rear end from this base model short bed in my street rod for economy and reliability. I'm not a drag racer.
I'm happy with the engine and rear end. The 4 speed transmission works well but I would like to have an overdrive.
The '36 pickup has a short firewall to rear panel measurement and the shifter is going to end up about where a structural rib runs across the floor.
I read somewhere that the 78-83 5 speeds were short than the '85. Is this correct?
I don't want to get complex, mixing and matching components so I'm hoping someone can tell me that there is a 5 speed that I can just bolt right up without changing bellhousings, clutches, starters and other parts and will place the shifter closer to the front.
Any advice?
Link to a pic of my truck
www.function4junction.com/album/2007/slides/edit8.html
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 improved gear set which features a greater helix angle for added strength. I call it my L52HD and is the strongest 20.75" long trans.
