Hey Guys and Gals,

I'm throwing an L18 5 speed manual, into my 1200 Ute and was wondering, do I need to get a tailshaft made up or will my A12 stock one fit?

cheers Ron

L-series transmissions use the same slip-yoke as automatics. So a 1200 automatic shaft will fit.

If you get a shorty 5-speed or most 4-speed L-gearbox, they are the same length as the automatic.

So yes, a stock 1200 auto shaft will work.

but no, they actually wont. as no utes came automatic...therefore no automatic tailshaft is the right length and and flange design to suit the 1200 ute diff

also be handy knowing what sorta gearbox you are using

i shortened a bluebird 1 piece shaft to fit mine, a jap stanza tailshaft will also do the job once shortened

Or try a 120y H150 Auto tailshaft may need to shorten but they fit ute diff if H165. That said would also help to know what year ute cause early utes pre 74 used the stocko diff H145 therefore an Auto 1200 tailshaft would work but diff will break pretty easy.

Note that a 1200 coupe/sedan auto tailshaft will fit a 1200 early ute with stumpy L-series 5-speed.

If you have later ute differential then the japan-made B210 H150 driveshaft is the go.

Measure your gearbox. 26.3 inches long is the gearbox that is same length as automatic. There are longer L-series gearboxes too, you'll need a custom shaft for those longer gearboxes.

So the long and short of it is;Get an L series gearbox yoke and the correct diff joint,measure the length req'd for the shaft and get one made in Brisbane with nice new uni's.

Problem solved

Spoken like a true racer

When I put the l18 into my Sunny, I used a 1200 ute length tailshaft with a Stanza front yoke. So if you're using a short box you could just get the front yoke changed over, that is if it doesn't have the dreaded peened uni's.

sorry about the briefness of my first post guys.

Its a 1980 model Manual 1200 running the stock diff an gearbox..

the box for the L18 is a 5 speed if that helps :P and is approx 26 inches? :)

O.K so you will be running a late (H165) ute diff get a stanza (H165) tail shaft and get it shortened or get a 120y auto (H150) tail shaft and get it shortened(Try it first of course u never know in the conversion world). See how you go i have 120y H150 auto shaft here but it may be spoken for have to confirm with interested member.
Also your tunnel will be to squeezy for L series box so look at other tunnels say 120y, 180b, Stanza, 1200 Auto, Bluebird (got a bluebird one here $110 including post)