RuralTowner
New Member
URGENT! Transmission woes 1981 2WD 22R
EDIT: Barely managed to limp 9 miles back home this morning after it did it again no less than 3-4 times.
My truck is a 2WD 81' with one of the early 22R engines...for starters. The engine is definitely on the worn side but still runs fine. Now the transmission (a 4-speed) after nearly 2 years of ownership is starting to have some issues. 3rd-gear has always been noisy @ about 20-25mph...isn't as bad when I put pressure on the stick though. This can be annoying but not intolerable. But over the last week the transmission has popped out of gear a few times after engaging the clutch when slowing down from 4th gear. This is followed by the somewhat subdued grinding of gears that does not go away unless I come to a complete stop...and won't happen again until it decides to pop out again. I do have a book on the truck so the different possible causes are known to me...but I'm thinking a replacement is in order since the truck had anywhere from 150k-230k when I got it...and I've put about 20k on it since I got it. Below are my questions since now I'll be looking for a possible replacement while I still have time.
First: What model year range of trucks have compatible mounting to the 81' 22R? This will aid in finding a donor locally.
Would a 4-speed (or 5-speed if there are any) from a 20R equipped truck bolt right into place and is there there anything I should know that may be different from the later models?
IF I could find one would I be better off going with a 5-speed and would this require me to also swap the axle to preserve the proper ratios? Additionally would the 5-speed of an otherwise compatible year bolt right up to the engine w/o issue? As this truck is a commuter, I'm not interested in 4x4. (I have a 62' IH Scout I'm working on for that purpose. )
NOTE: I did read elsewhere on this site that going from a 4-speed to a 5-speed may or may not require the moving of the support bracket.
Also, the only transmission swap I've yet done...actually the entire drive train...was with a Corolla. Did a full drive train swap out of a 3-speed auto from a 78 and installed a 5-speed from a 77. The 3-speed had the problem of occasionally slipping and wouldn't "park" in Park. Had to use chalks on ANY and all inclines to prevent rolling. So I'm open to helpful hints.
I've never yet had extremely major issue with this truck, and at the moment is my main commuter with its 28-30mpgs. The only 2 serious repairs was a waterpump (the one that came with the truck) that seized on me on the way to work, and a blown rear main oil seal (took 5qts of oil and stopping and adding a quart about every 15miles for 75miles to get home). I have an alternate driver that is OK on the gas but I like the truck better even though it is and DOES look like a beater (within and without). Faded primer-red with a shot interior.
EDIT: Barely managed to limp 9 miles back home this morning after it did it again no less than 3-4 times.
My truck is a 2WD 81' with one of the early 22R engines...for starters. The engine is definitely on the worn side but still runs fine. Now the transmission (a 4-speed) after nearly 2 years of ownership is starting to have some issues. 3rd-gear has always been noisy @ about 20-25mph...isn't as bad when I put pressure on the stick though. This can be annoying but not intolerable. But over the last week the transmission has popped out of gear a few times after engaging the clutch when slowing down from 4th gear. This is followed by the somewhat subdued grinding of gears that does not go away unless I come to a complete stop...and won't happen again until it decides to pop out again. I do have a book on the truck so the different possible causes are known to me...but I'm thinking a replacement is in order since the truck had anywhere from 150k-230k when I got it...and I've put about 20k on it since I got it. Below are my questions since now I'll be looking for a possible replacement while I still have time.
First: What model year range of trucks have compatible mounting to the 81' 22R? This will aid in finding a donor locally.
Would a 4-speed (or 5-speed if there are any) from a 20R equipped truck bolt right into place and is there there anything I should know that may be different from the later models?
IF I could find one would I be better off going with a 5-speed and would this require me to also swap the axle to preserve the proper ratios? Additionally would the 5-speed of an otherwise compatible year bolt right up to the engine w/o issue? As this truck is a commuter, I'm not interested in 4x4. (I have a 62' IH Scout I'm working on for that purpose. )
NOTE: I did read elsewhere on this site that going from a 4-speed to a 5-speed may or may not require the moving of the support bracket.
Also, the only transmission swap I've yet done...actually the entire drive train...was with a Corolla. Did a full drive train swap out of a 3-speed auto from a 78 and installed a 5-speed from a 77. The 3-speed had the problem of occasionally slipping and wouldn't "park" in Park. Had to use chalks on ANY and all inclines to prevent rolling. So I'm open to helpful hints.
I've never yet had extremely major issue with this truck, and at the moment is my main commuter with its 28-30mpgs. The only 2 serious repairs was a waterpump (the one that came with the truck) that seized on me on the way to work, and a blown rear main oil seal (took 5qts of oil and stopping and adding a quart about every 15miles for 75miles to get home). I have an alternate driver that is OK on the gas but I like the truck better even though it is and DOES look like a beater (within and without). Faded primer-red with a shot interior.
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