Hello all --

Posting this as research fodder for possible future modification work (also for another member I've been speaking with who will likely be attempting the diesel swap I'm working on, but wants a more highly-modified trail vehicle):

I have heard that the Amigo and/or Rodeo was available in 2WD. If so, was this using the MUA5 transmission or similar?

If the 2WD gearbox is similar to the 4WD version, would it then be possible to remove the front half of the case, swap the 4WD diesel case half in its place (which I think is possible on the 4WD units based on my observations of the 4WD gas and diesel transmissions), mate it to the 4JB1 diesel and run a divorced transfer case?

Or, is the 2WD gearbox a totally different unit that shares nothing with the 4WD version?

Thanks for any insight.

The Amigo and Rodeo were available as 2WD trucks, I'm sure of it since I own one! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Some of the 2WD came with a MUA5 and some with a Borg Warner unit, I believe. I have the repair manual for my '94 that has the details in it. I'll try to dig it up and get some specifics on what might be needed to make a 4WD conversion possible.

James

James hit the highlights -- I spent quite a bit of time researching this before I went with the Toyota drivetrain.

First-gen Amigos were available with a 5-speed 2WD MUA5 and first-gen Rodeos were available with
5-speed 2WD MUA5 and occasionally, with the 5-speed Borg-Warner T5 transmission. The 2WD MUA5 had a long output shaft that made it too long, IMHO, for a good 4WD swap. I was more interested in the back end of the transmission to fit a low-geared transfer case... I'm not sure about the front end. The only way to tell for sure is to count splines, measure input shaft stick-out, and check the bellhousing bolt pattern.

There is MUCH in common between most 4WD and 2WD Isuzu transmissions -- the T5 is the exception, really. A local tranny rebuilder did a good trade rebuilding Isuzu 2WD transmissions into 4WD transmissions, from a good 2WD used tranny and a blown Isuzu 4WD transmission. Isuzu transmissions are pretty stout, but they kill pretty quickly if fed 90-weight -- but with separate oil sumps, often the transmission would cook before the transfer case, leaving a great 'blown' donor core for this kind of 2WF transmogrification.

Randii

Interesting information, thanks guys.

So, there seems to be at least a remote possibiltiy that this sort of swap would work. I guess what it will take is a side-by-side comparison of the units to see whether the front case of the 2WD is the same as it is on the 4WD. If so, I guess it would be possible (although the length issue is still present, but that's much easier to check - just need a measurement of the thing).

HEY ADRIAN, YES THE FRT HALF OF THE CASES ARE THE SAME AS LONG AS BOTH OF THEM ARE THE MUA, THE DSL SWAP I DID LAST WAS JUST THAT, A DSL MUA FRT HALF , TRANS PLANTED ONTO AN 89 MUA 4WD GAS ENG 5SPD ,, I ALL SO CONVERTED IT TO WORK WITH CABLE INSTEAD OF THE HYDRAULIC SETUP , SO YES YOU CAN USE A 2WD TRANS , BUT A DIVORCED T/C MAY BE A BIT LONG, HOW EVER THE T/C FROM ANY AUTOMATIC TRANS ISUZU 92 AND UP WILL SLIDE RIGHT ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE 2WD , SAME SPLINE COUNT AS THE AUTOMATIC OUTPUT TO THE INPUT OF THE T/C , YOU WOULD HAVE TO WORK OUT THE REAR SEAL AND BUSHING ON THE 2WD , BUT IT IS FEASABLE JERRY

Jerry - That is excellent news. It's as I suspected it would work, then. I will pass the info along and we will see what develops.

Thanks guys.