I'm interested in putting a 5 speed trans in my '75-20r-4spd pop up chinook camper.
I've read to stay away from the Celica 5 speeds. Can you tell me what transmission will fit my camper? Ideally a link or some pics?
I have a welder and will be able to make up or modify any transmission mount necessary.
I've heard of a W56 I believe. Maybe you can offer some identifying features of the trans I'm after? I'm thinking the heavier duty truck trans are steel and not aluminum? Maybe you know what years these things were put in the trucks?
Any knowledge about needing the 5 speeds flywheel/clutch also? I've no problem cutting some sheet metal if the shifter comes out in a different location into the cab.
I'd love to read a dozen paragraphs on the subject.
Thank you for your time and knowledge.

 

I just put a W55 5 speed in my 78 last month and everything swaps pretty easily. I have the W50 5 speed I pulled out sitting in my garage if you want it. Shipping would probably be prohibitive from WA but I'll strap it to a pallet if ya want it.

I swapped it out for a W55 due to the 7% higher gearing in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th. It nakes for less of an rpm loss between shifts and a nicer cruise rpm.

 

Thanks for the offer WhiteTrash. Very giving. I've checked into the swap some and for now I'm going to hang onto the 4 speed. It might happen down the road some, but for now I've got plenty to do on the truck.

 

Groovy, just remember that you swap in a same generation trans directly. The clutch fork and throwout bearing are the same and the trans mount is in the same spot etc. The later trannies will fit just fine and the shifter will come up through the stock hole etc but you need to swap the slave cylinder, clutch fork and throwout bearing to the same generation as the trans. Also the mount is about 2" farther back on the later stuff. I turned the mount 180* due to the mount being offset so I only had to cut the crossmember into 3 pieces moving the center back about 1 1/2" so it would line up again instead of 2".

 

hey white trash... i might be interested in your W50 that you pulled out. would really like to swap out my 4 speed

 

Cool, I'll even deliver it in a few weeks. $50 total shifter and mount included.

 

sold!

 

So what is it about the 4 speed that you dislike?
Pulling that much weight seems the Gear ratio would be the important part, it's a shame we could not find a make & model chart that gave gear ratios.

In my PU I put the Celica tranny, I lost power and did not gain any high end speed So I can agree for you to stay away from the Celica tranny.

 

If you lost power due to having slightly taller gears in the trans you need to work on the engine... Having the ratio's I have now just flat works and I'm considering a swap to 3.90's to go along with my 215/75/15's to bring the rpm's down. We'll see what happens when the new engine is done as to what I end up doing. It probably won't be alive till 2500 rpm or so and if that's the case I'll leave it lower geared to keep it in the power band.