Topic: I just put a W56 in my 1981 4x4 longbed

[Eschenfeldt]

I bought a marlin crawler rebuilt W 56 about two years ago not realizing all the pains it would take to install it… but then now that I’ve installed it there are some interesting tips that I’ve read before and then read disagreements to so I’d like to share my personal experience with this.

First off the W 56 is about 4 1/2 inches longer than the L 50 that I took out. This means I had to relocate the crossmember and modify the driveshaft which I bought a new driveshaft from Tom Woods so far so good with the new driveshaft.

Amazingly enough I was able to flip the crossmember around and re-bolt four bolts back into their original holes and then I drilled a hole through my frame and dropped a 6 inch bolt through.

I had to modify the transmission mound holes to realign them so I could bolt the mount to the nail flipped 180° crossmember.

[toyodaaddict]

I don't like the sound of drilling a hole through the frame. I put a w56/dual cases in my 1980. I used a budbuilt crossmember with U bolts over the frame. My cousin did the same with a single case and I think he used a stock crossmember, also with U bolts over the frame. Ever how you go about it, I think the w56 is a good choice and worth the hassle.