Topic: 81 4X4 pick-up no reverse upgrade or rebuild

[Kirmet]

I'm looking at buying an 81 that was built in Feb 81 it has a 5 speed reverse doesn't work and the throwout bearig is bad. I'm looking to use it for a daily driver for a short comute to work and put enough work into it to take it into the woods to get to the rivers etc... I'm not planning on wheeling it hard but i would expect it to be capable of going off the beaten path. In otherwords i won't beat this truck to try and make it go somewhere it may not want to go. i just want it to be reliable.

So the question is would it be better to upgrade the transmission or just have the stock one rebuilt?

Does Marlin still ship for 60.00 and return the core for another 60.00?

If i decide to swap to another model does the core charge apply or do I have to supply a like core?

So far I think I have the L50 and was thinking since I ain't going to beat it that I might just get the regular L50 rebuild a clutch kit the shifter boots and start fresh.

I'm not too afraid of fabricating though to upgrade to a nicer tranny just wondering if I should go cheap so i can put more money into other areas that need it on the truck.

[79coyotefrg]

still $60  for the shipping  and are you going to rebuild it yourself??

[6.72:1]

I have an L50 that would put you on the road and it is in great driving and functional condition.

[h0nke]

If you are gonna go crawl the rubicon and what not all the time, I would upgrade the tranny. If you fish and hunt more than you wheel (like me) you'll never have any problem with a rebuilt 4speed or early 5speed.

[Kirmet [OP]]

does the L52 HD bolt in w/o fabrication to the 81? Probably not gonna crawl just want a huntin fishun boatin rig. And only have to fix the tranny once.

[h0nke]

Ya I think its a direct swap.

[79coyotefrg]

does the L52 HD bolt in w/o fabrication to the 81? Probably not gonna crawl just want a huntin fishun boatin rig. And only have to fix the tranny once.

yes its a direct bolt in 

[Kirmet [OP]]

Ok I bought it, I'm pretty psyched about this rig, I won't be wheeling it just want something to cruise the backroads with.

So I am trying to decide between a rebuild kitand having my brother who's a chrysler mechanic and comfortable with transmission rebuilds do it or save him the headache and wait until i have enough money to buy a rebuilt and a clutch.

Are there any special toyota tools that are needed? Is there a free service manual out there for this model year (81with an L52) or which is the best one to buy when all else fails?

Heres a couple pics, i also need the sunroof glass...

[6.72:1]

Dang, that thing looks good! It looks just like my brother's old '81!

[Kirmet [OP]]

That's Pretty Sweet, wish I had that camper shell.

[6.72:1]

The camper shell was the best thing about it!

[Cheesemaker]

Looks like it's in good condition.  As for the sunroof, just look around on the internet.  I've found some companies for other people.  That and Ebay!  Good luck!