transmission question 2wd vs 4wd

[recian]

I asked this in another thread but I thought it would be more appropriate in this section since it was off topic. Can I swap out a tailshaft of a 5-speed trans from a 2wd to a 4wd trans? I'm looking to take a 5-speed 4wd trans and convert it to a 2wd. Or if not are there any trans that would fit the 4D55 that can be found in the gas engines? Or would it be better to try to make my 2wd truck into a 4wd? I know that would require a whole re-work of the front end to say the least.

[pennyman1]

it just requires the 2wd tailshaft and swap it with the 4wd tailshaft - everything else is the same.

[recian]

And i can get the tail and driveshaft from any 5 speed regardless of engine correct?

[pennyman1]

I would think so, but if you could find one from the same model tranny, it would fit for sure. The main models are km144 and km132 - if your friend has a tailshaft from a starquest he can spare, that should work.

[recian]

I know there's no 4d55s in the yard. There is a 2.0, 2.4 and 2.6L. I'm sure one of them would have the same trans as mine. If i'm not mistaken it's got the big plate on the bottom of the trans. I'm not sure about the numbers or how to identify the differences.

[pennyman1]

there is a number on the side of the case, but any of those would work.

[recian]

That's good to know. That was my biggest obsticle. Knowing it's easy to convert it to a 2wd then I'm pretty committed on getting this truck and doing the swap now. I have to see it first. He says it has no compression at all after overheating. I've read it could happen on the diesel. Worst case get a 4d56 head. The doner isnt much to look at (that's why he wants $500) but I hope to pick it up next weekend and have pics in the next couple weeks of the progress. Maybe even have some first gen parts for sale since all I need is the drivetrain and harness.

[pennyman1]

If the front bumper is good, I would be interested. Let me know.

[recian]

4567
I do have pics he sent me.
No luck on the bumepr tho. End caps are good tho lol

[Machineria]

This thread answered a burning question I've had. I'm glad to hear the tailhousing interchanges with the transfer case. But to throw another wrench in the works: it sounds like you have a 4D55, and the donor might be from a gas engine? It appears that the transmission don't have removable bellhousings. Are input shaft dimensions and bellhousing boltpattern the same between gasser transmissions and diesels?

[pennyman1]

The answer to both questions is yes - the mounting pattern and input shafts are the same.