Just got an '86 w/gearbox probs

[danzo]

Hi everyone,

Just tonight I scored what I think is a good deal on a light blue 4wd 6 speed SR5. I've always been a fan, now it's a reality! Anyway, my car has a stripped first gear, when you engage first it just makes a loud whirring noise. All the other gears work fine. The car has been towed behind a motorhome most of it's life, so I figure first got stripped when some geezer tried to tow it and forgot to put it in neutral.

So my question is what are my options? I can rebuild the existing gearbox myself (parts prices?), or I can slap in a used one (whatever the j-yard wants to charge), or can I install a 2wd gearbox and make it rear wheel drive (temporarily)? Is the rear diff strong enough for this? 4wd is not crucial to me, though it would be fun to have.

Thanks for any info. In the meantime I'll be starting out in second gear.

Danny

[ARCHINSTL]

Welcome to the Club!
Incidentally, I have it on good authority that the motorhome driver was a kid in his twenties fleeing from responsibilites...
Tom M.
(aka HeadT4WDGeezer)

[takza]

If you don't live in a hilly area...you might just get by with no 1st gear for awhile...espec. if you can get it into EL if you need to. Otherwise a used trans is the best bet? Guess the parts for a rebuild are pretty steep? Not sure. Could be someone forced it into first when cold and stripped something like a pin?

[Petros]

I would not convert it to 2 wheel drive, if you are going to change the trans, just get a good 4wd one from a self service wrecking yard (Pull-a-part, U-pull-it, etc). They will want somthing like $50 to $100 for the trans, if you can find one. Regular wrecking yards typically want from $400-$600 for a gauranteed 4wd Tercel trans. Though it is a big job, it usually does not present any major obsticals to change out the trans, you might also consider replacing the clutch while you have the trans out too.

The 2 wheel drive versions of this car are front wheel drive, and you would have to remove the driveshaft. If you go rear well drive you would have to find a trans from a similar year rear wheel drive corolla, and there may be some fit issues in the tunnel (but I do not know for sure). The rear axle is plenty strong to take all of the drive power, it is the same axle used in the RWD Corrola (a heavier, more powerful car).

The whole value of this car is the 4wd feature, I would definitely keep it 4wd. I suggest you do not waste any effort converting to 2wd. You can either keep driving it the way it is, using the EL first if you need to, or replace the trans with another 4wd one. Finding new parts for a trans this old is pretty rare, though occationally you get lucky and a parts house might have them, but I would not count on it. Some on this list have been stockpiling 4wd trans by getting them when ever their local Pull-a-part gets one in, that way they can keep the car going for a long time. All other mechanical parts are readily aviable, but this trans, while generally durable, when it finally gives out, becomes the single issue determining if you can keep the car running.

Good luck, and welcome to the club.

[danzo]

Thanks for the response/welcome everyone. As far as switching to 2wd - it would just be a temp solution until I resolve the current gearbox issue. I really don't want to pay $500 for a used one even if it is guarranteed, as it will have miles on it and prolly wouldn't last too long. Someone on this site said they bought a rebuild kit for $475 IIRC, which is what I would do if finding a cheap used one proves difficult. Can't I get a rebuild kit from Toyota (I'll check into this)?

It may take a month for me to rebuild if I go that route, but I do have another car - a mid '80's BMW 3 series. Hmmm....I wonder how the Bimmer wheels would look on the 'Yoda??

My car just got a new clutch 50 miles ago paid for ($737) by the PO, so it really pains me to slip the clutch in second gear starts. At least a lack of hills and the 4.10 diff helps. I'll go yardin' tomorrow (yes, before the Cowboy game) and let you guys know if I find anything.

Danny

[Neu]

Junkyard is def the way to go. The rebuild would be fun, and you could keep it in tip top shape.

[danzo]

Didn't find a 4wd tranny yesterday, those suckers are expensive online. What's everyone's favorite sources for new Toyota parts? I think a rebuild may be in my future.