Topic: 4 speed to 5 Speed???

[awhotrods]

My 82 4WD came with the cast iron 4 speed tranny, i want to swap it out for a 5 speed, what years will bolt in?  I am assuming I will have to move the crossmember.  Thanks for any advice!

[madmax21tm]

Sounds like you have a L45 4 speed. The L50, L52 and L52HD 5 speeds should bolt right in, I think that they are very close to the same housing. If I know what I'm talking about these four trannys are all 20.75" long and are interchangable. This would be the easiest and most simple way to get a 5spd. The strongest is the L52HD, (also Marlin can upgrade the L50 to a L52), check out the transmissions page on the marlincrawler website. Look up the L45(yours), L50, L52 and L52HD and do a little comparing. Also check out Marlins profile and look at what he's running.   
I just looked at the MC webpage and the years are;
L45 '81-'82 carb,
L50 '81-'82 carb,
L52 '83 carb,
L52HD '81-'83 carb.
Hope this helps a little.

[awhotrods [OP]]

thanks for the info 

[Hyena]

Things you might need to change- crossmember placing, both drivelines, maybe speedo, cut a hole in the floorboard for the t-case shifter, it will be farther back if you plan on keeping the top shift.  then you need to make a plate to cover the hole on the top of the tranny.

[MidgetMike]

If you get a forward shift G52,G54, or certain W56's, your shifters will nut move but your tranny mount will need to be moved. I just put a G54 in my 83 replacing my L52. the shifters are in the same location as the L52 but the tranny is a few inches longerbetween the bell housing and T case I had too move my T case mount a few inches. I welded my crossmember on as a temp fix while I make a new mount. The nice thing about the forward shift is your shifters are in the same location but you get a few more inches for your  driveline angle, and save some space on your floor board if you do dual cases. 

[79coyotefrg]

My 82 4WD came with the cast iron 4 speed tranny, i want to swap it out for a 5 speed, what years will bolt in? I am assuming I will have to move the crossmember. Thanks for any advice!

dude,  your tranny is identical to the L50-52's  you can make your tranny a 5 spd simply by adding the fifth gear, im sure marlin can help you with this


L52 is a direct bolt in upgraded replacement, no cutting bending or modifying at all

[kyle_22r]

you're lucky you have the L45...i've got the L43 and you have to change a bunch of stuff...at least it bolts right in with the right parts!

i've got an L50/L52(i'll figure it out when it blows up) in the garage, just gotta power wash it and finish building the new 22R(currently a short block)

[FATB0Y]

Merry Christmas everyone