Anyone know where to find Manual transmission?

[marcandfiveounces]

I have a 1987 5 speed manual Tercel wagon and I'm looking for a transmission.
I was told by another forum member that he knew of a place in California where I could order a new one but haven't been able to get in contact with him for further information.

if anyone can help me get one I'd really appreciate it. preferably new, but used will do if the price is right.

thanks!!

[dlb]

you can't get new, they haven't made them since the car was discontinued in '87/'88. you might be able to get a low km JDM one shipped over from japan but it would cost you an arm and a leg. board member cathode ray tube has had some real nightmares ordering a JDM trans or engine (i can't remember which) and there have been huge delays and incorrect stuff shipped. you're best off to find one at a local auto wrecker. do a search on the forum for how to check a trans out as best you can without getting to drive it.

good luck, and welcome to the forum!

[Petros]

WElcome to the list.

list member Tercel4wdrules got one from an importer in So. California, he might chime in with the contact info. They are not cheap, but they will have much less miles than one you will find in a wrecking yard. Outside of that you will have to get one from a wrecking yard. You might also consider having a local shop rebuild it, or rebuild it yourself. It appears several parts houses still offer rebuild kits with syncros. Hard parts will be less common, but there is likely still a lot of good trans to salvage parts from. If you pull the trans yourself and take it to a good trans shop you are looking at about $1000. The kits are about $300, about double for ones with new syncros.

[marcandfiveounces]

Great Thanks!
No luck so far....

does anyone know what other years or models may have compatible transmission, or advice on how to find this out?

for example is there a chance that I could use a transmission from a front wheel (two wheel) drive car of similar make and year?

[dlb]

i believe you can use the front differential from a 2WD wagon but not the trans.

the '83-'84 models use a 3.73 final gear ration while the '85-'88 use a 4.11, which should mean that your '85 has a 4.11 final gear ratio. this means that when replacing the trans, you must use another 4.11 trans or else you will trash either the trans or diff. the only way to use a 3.73 trans is to swap both diffs along with it. keep in mind that a wreck at the junkyard may have had its trans and/or diffs swapped in the past so the only way to be absolutely sure of what kind of trans/diff it is is to count the teeth.

the 3.73 gets slightly better mileage due to lower revs at hwy speeds but the 4.11 is better suited to the engine and gives slightly better power.

[marcandfiveonettes]

Its actually the 87 sr5, that is what you have correct?
do you think this is for sure the 4.1
do all these 4.1's have the same number of teeth on the speedometer?
do you happen to know if it is 20 or 22?

[danzo]

Marc do you still need a transmission? I have a spare but don't know what the final drive ratio is yet, I can find out soon. Where are you located?