Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

How-to's and repair secrets for your 4WD can be found here. Have a question? Ask it in here!
Post Reply
vehiclefreak409
Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2018 9:17 am
My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel 4WD
Location: California

Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

Post by vehiclefreak409 »

Hello all!

I just picked up a 1986 Tercel 4WD with the 6 speed for cheap, as first gear is popping out sometimes. I've been reading up a little bit on that problem on how to go about fixing that, but I was hoping I could get some info. I can buy a replacement 6 speed 4WD transfercase/trans out of a 1983 Tercel 4WD, but would it work in my 86? I was planning on pulling the worn one out and rebuilding it while I have the replacement in the car. Thanks so much!

- Jasen
User avatar
BaileySims
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 626
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:52 pm
My tercel:: 1983 Tercel SR5 4WD
Location: Texas
Contact:

Re: Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

Post by BaileySims »

It'll work as long as you don't use it in 4wd mode as the 83 transmission has a different gear ratio than the 86.
WAGON MAFIA.
Blood, sweat and beers.
User avatar
rer233
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:49 pm
My tercel:: Multiple

Re: Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

Post by rer233 »

I'd remove the rear section of the driveshaft to make SURE nobody uses 4WD before you can get the proper rear diff.
if it aint there, there's a good chance it won't break!
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
vehiclefreak409
Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2018 9:17 am
My tercel:: 1986 Toyota Tercel 4WD
Location: California

Re: Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

Post by vehiclefreak409 »

Thanks everyone! I've been scrounging around and happened to find an 86 transmission to replace it with for a bit more cash. But good to know that's a thing.
User avatar
Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

Post by Petros »

it will work fine, including in 4wd, if you swap out the front diff assembly so you are using your old front diff gears. the gear box and transfer case are not the problem, they will bolt right up (first gear has a slightly different ratio), it is the front diff assembly that has the 3.73:1 in the '83-'84 model years, and after that they are all 4.1:1. if you just unbolt the whole front diff housing/bell housing from the front of the gear box, it will swap right across, and you keep the original front diff gear ratio in the car.

The only draw back is that if your front diff assembly is worn out or damaged, you should not be driving on it. Usually the diff assembly is very durable and will hold up fine, it is the gear box that more often wears out and fails.

good luck
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
xirdneh
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 2121
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:38 am
My tercel:: 87 tercel 4x4 wagon w/reringed engine, 83 tercel 4x4 wagon w/salvaged engine and 4.1 Diff's
Location: seabeck, washington, USA

Re: Will an 83 4WD 6 speed work in an 86?

Post by xirdneh »

In otherwords seperate the tranny from the differential (trans axle) assembly and only replace the tranny.
Trannys are interchangable
Differentials are not interchangable (83-84 vs 85-88)
Love those Tercell 4x4 wagons but they sure suffer from road noise.
Post Reply