Topic: 81 toyota transmission whine

[brian cook]

I have a 81 toyota 22r with what I believe is a l-52 5 speed.  Within the last month it has started to whine and gotten considerably louder lately.  It still shifts and drives great, but is noisey in all but 4th gear.  I am led to believe it may be the input bearing and know these transmissions did not have good service ratings.  If the trans needs rebuilding what is the best way to go?  Cant really afford an  l-52 HD from Marlin.  Heard a w-56 from 85-95 is a good transmission-What all is involved in the swap?  Do I also need t-case/driveshafts?  I know this has probably been gone over previously, but I couldnt really find specific info.  Any help is greatly appreciated!   Thanks

[kyle_22r]

if that's your stock tranny, it's an L50.  pretty much the same as the L52 but has a smaller input bearing.  sounds like you've nailed the problem down.  i think a properly(marlin) built L52 would be a good upgrade, as he can convert your transmission to it.  however you probably won't want to keep driving on that tranny too much longer as it's now a ticking time bomb

the W56 is a good tranny but you'll have to get your rear driveshaft shortened and your front driveshaft lengthened as the tranny is about 4" longer than what you have now.  your "top shift" transfer case is a bolt-on fit, though the '89-95 W56 is also setup for a "forward shift" case meaning there'll be an extra shifter base in the back of the tranny, but just put a block off plate on top of this if you happen to get a later W56

[Marlin]

The '84 and newer trans are 4 1/2" longer and will require driveline, crossmember work as well.
The forward shifting 89-95 trans will use the same floorboard holes, but you will need the matching t/case as well or change the shift rods in your case to match.

Marlin

[brian cook [OP]]

thanx for the info-is bearing replacement in the old trans even reasonable?  If I use the W56, what kind of crossmember work will be required? and can I just use the front and rear shafts from the donor truck?  If you know anybody looking to get rid of these parts, let me know!  I would love to have the L52HD just cant cough up the money right now            Thanks

[yoderboy]

the front driveshaft should work . but you will have to drill out or change the flange at the diff side .differant bolt patterns. and you will probly have to shorten the rear shaft

[yoderboy]

not differant bolt patterns just bigger bolts and i moved my crossmember back

[kyle_22r]

actually...they switched from a rectangular to a square pattern in '84

[brian cook [OP]]

Forgot to mention above that the truck is a longbed if this makes any difference.  Someone told me to look on the firewall at the info plate and the last three digits on the bottom are l52-so still not totally sure which trans it has, guess it doesnt matter if I have to replace it anyway!

[WHITE_TRASH]

If the input bearing was going south it would make noise in all gears beings the bearing would be under load at all times.  But you say it makes a racket in all gears EXCEPT 4th.  That would point at a countershaft bearing going out.  The countershaft isnt under any load in 4th as the input shaft and output shaft are virtually locked together.  Its not that big of a deal to convert to a w56 trans.  All you'd need to do about the crossmember is use some square u-bolts around the fram through the origional mounting holes and its in there.

[yoderboy]

are you sure kyle i could have swore that the bolts where just bigger. i might be wrong though.but we just put an 85 5 speed in a 80 truck and just drilled out the xcase flange and it fit just fine

[kyle_22r]

Forgot to mention above that the truck is a longbed if this makes any difference.  Someone told me to look on the firewall at the info plate and the last three digits on the bottom are l52-so still not totally sure which trans it has, guess it doesnt matter if I have to replace it anyway!

L52 sounds like a tranny code to me...guess you just have one of those trucks that was different than the rest! kind of like a handful of '95 3rd gen(not taco) trucks that had the 3.4 v6 instead of the 3.0...

and i could swear the flange patterns changed from rectangular to square, but i guess i can never tell for sure

[brian cook [OP]]

Thanks for all the info, i'm still having a hard time making up my mind on which tranny to go with-a later w56 or purchase the l52HD.  Guess i'll have to sort out the pros and cons of each.  Thanks again for the info!! 

[79coyotefrg]

hey brian,  where are you anyway??    the L52 is a strong tranny,  get a rebuild kit from marlin and your good to go    no mods to worry about

[kyle_22r]

i think the way to go is if you plan to do dual cases, swap in a W56 at the same time since you'll be redoing your drivelines anyway.  if you don't plan on that, just run the L52, less headache

[brian cook [OP]]

Glen- I'm in virginia, guess shipping from california may be a little expensive!!  Need to call and get all the details from Marlin.  Doubt if I'll do a dual case setup, it will go about anywhere off road around here as it sets!  Bone stock except 31" BFG all terrains.  I drive this truck an hour to work each day and dont really want to rig up anything and cause other driveline issues.  Leaning toward the l52HD as I will spend just as much by the time I buy a used W-56 from a junkyard(who knows what you are getting) and cost to shorten driveshafts.  Let me know if you guys have any more advice-Thanks

[79coyotefrg]

man, Virginia   if your around charlotte or richmond you have mountains as steep as those in cali,  just not as tall,   what gears you got in the diffs

[brian cook [OP]]

unfortunately it still has the stock 3.90's in it, but does well.  Im around 100 miles west of richmond.  I think lower gears in the diffs would be a good upgrade in the future.