Hi all - Happy New Years !!

Well my 3rd gear is buggered in my ute....

I have a 5-speed box and i was thinking of just going and buying a secondhand one but i know i'll have to get the exact one.

Is there any distinct markings i can find on my box to help me with this ? (where abouts are they?

How can i check if a gearbox is OK without using it... (eg. it's just sitting on someones garage floor?)

All your advice will be much appreciated...

Cheers

thought you were geting one from south africa when i first read that!

i dont think you can really check a box without driving it unfortunately

usually if the stick goes right then up its a 5-peed, im not sure what you mean exact one???, theres only really one 5-speed, the sunny 5-speed, there is a 1:1 ratio fifth GX option box but they are serioulsy rare so i dont think youll be getting one by mistake

From having bought lots of used trannies, here's what I look for when the trans is out of the car:

Put in each gear, rotate input shaft by hand. It should rotate smoothly. Each gear should feel similar. If you find a gear that "feels" a lot different, be suspicious. Rotate it backwards and forwards. Except Reverse, that will feel different.

Inspect the input and output shafts and splines, may sure they aren't visibly damaged. Splines should be straight.

Check the output shaft seal area, if you see obvious visible damage don't buy it.

Size up the seller ... if it's a store, ask their return policy and any guarantee if any. Most places I shopped had no warranty, they guaranteed it to work right off, but not a week later. I was OK with that, and never had a problem.

Don't worry about grease or dirt on the outside. Tip it up, if water runs out, pass on it. If there is grease inside that's a good sign.

Anybody think of any other tips? There is some identification info in the 5-speed article in the Tech Section ... it mentions some casting marks

My 5 speed is of the dog-leg type and I'm still trying to confirm what it is originally from. The tech section article mentions that some Sunny's came with a dog-leg 5 speed but everyone I've asked around Christchurch says that it is probably from a 180B SSS.
Can anyone tell me how to prove what model it is from using part numbers or something?
Also can anyone confirm whether or not a 180B box will bolt up to an A series without bell housing mods?
I imagine that if they do they would be a good conversion as they would be a bit stronger and are a bit more common here in New Zealand

Cheers

i seriously doubt a 180b box will bolt up but havent tried it, otherwise everyone would be getting cheap L-series boxes

Cheers for that guys...

I will let you know how my quest goes...

Yeh i'm not suer either if the 180b will fit up to the a12, i would have thought the bellhousing would be too big ??

Cheers