Topic: W56A Vs. W56B-are they interchangeable?

[germ]

So, here's the readers digest version. Need to rebuild or replace my W56A on a 85 4runner. Happen to have a 87 truck I bought for parts, which of course has the W56B. From what I can tell, they seem to be essentially the same tranny with a few minor changes, which escape me, 'cause I can't figure out what's different except which years they were used. Are they interchangeable? (oh, by the way, I did search, and not finding anything using the search-bot, I went back 18 pages, reading every post I found on anything related to trannies. Still didn't find the exact answer I'm looking for.)

So, if they are interchangeable, here's my dilema...

Replace my W56A with one of Marlins HD units. (about $600 + shipping + labor)
Remove the W56B from the donor truck and just swap it in, and use it till it dies. (free + labor)[saveing pennies to by the HD unit later]

Any insight or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Erik

[emsvitil]

I think the only difference is the center plate is aluminum on W56As and steel on W56Bs....

If the shifters are in the same location, they should just swap.

[red]

they will swap out. when i replaced my tranny from my 87 4runner i used a tranny from an 85. no problems.

[germ [OP]]

Very cool, thanks for the reply's. I suppose I should drop the tranny and swap it out.

Erik

[germ [OP]]

Can anyone explain to me what the difference is between the two. I'd be curious for academic reasons.

Thanks
Erik