Topic: W56 Transmissions Compatibility

[Steve777]

I am a nooby to Toyotas, just got an 87 4runner. It had/has a popping out of 1st problem. I replaced the shifter seat and bushing with new ones from MC, and that helped but did not totally eliminate the problem. It still will pop out of 1st, especially if you let up on power and then reapply power. Guessing its a shift fork issue, but for now I'd like to get a used tranny to throw in while I dig into this one more.

So here's what I can't seem to find out: What years/models W56 trannies will be an exact replacement for the original one that is in there, and how can I tell just by looking at some tranny whether it is one of the one that will work or not?

It seems that there were the top shift and the forward shift versions of the W56, and it's not clear to me if they made W56's with different gear ratios (say for the PU vs runner), or if any were made for different xfer cases, or whatever?

Can someone tell me which trannies will work and have the same gear ratios, and how to tell if some tranny that is laying in front of me really is one of those?

TIA

[79coyotefrg]

look at the transmission code on the inside of the drivers door,  it will say w56 a,b,c or d
a and B are the top shifts and C and D are the forward shifts,  all are the same be it truck or 4runner

[79coyotefrg]

W56-A    1985 (22R-E)    
W56-B    1986-88 (22R-E)


W56-C    1989-91 (22R-E)    
W56-D    1992 (22R-E)
W56-E    1993-95 (22R-E)

[Steve777 [OP]]

Thanks 79coyotefrg!

The front vs top should be obvious at a quick glance. 

Any way to tell the diff between the W56A and B? Are there numbers on the tranny housing or some other easy way to tell? Or does it matter between the A and B; what's the difference between them?

[emsvitil]

W56a   aluminum center plate
W56b   iron center plate

Doesn't matter between the two.    The W56a should be slightly lighter, and I'd think the W56b would be slightly stronger.