5-Speed Swap Info

[twistedsymphony]

Before I even bought my VX I lamented the fact that it was never made in anything but an automatic... I thought surely a 5 speed swap would be a popular modification considering it's performed commonly on other collectors cars that were auto only, or mostly made as an auto.

I was also surprised that I couldn't find a single person who had done a 5-speed swap save a few pictures of racing spec VXs.

Since any real info on this was fairly non-existent I decided to look into the feasibility myself and see what would be involved. Obviously with the VX sharing so much with other Isuzus that's the first place to look. Also with other Isuzus being more common I decided to start looking for information there to see if someone had done a swap on a different vehicle with a similar setup.

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?p=159566

What I learned
Troopers that used the 4L30E Automatic and TOD used the MUA5 transmission as the alternative options... the 5 speed (from what I've been told) was only available with the 3.2L and the transfer case is integrated into the transmissions... meaning that if you used that transmission you would lose the TOD system as well

using MUA5 you will need the 3.2L bell housing (which should be direct bolt on) as well as a flywheel from a 5-speed 3.2L and the 3.2L clutch/pressure plate.

The factory transmission cross-member is apparently the same between the two transmissions so no customization is needed there either.

Another thing I learned is that the VX shares a firewall with the Amigo... this means that you could use a clutch pedal, Clutch Master Cylinder, and 5-speed Brake pedal from an Amigo and the mounting locations should exist (you will probably need to drill some bolt holes though). You might also be able to use the clutch lines from an Amigo as well, though I'm not entirely sure on that.

The driveshaft length will change, meaning you'll have to have a custom one made... this usually costs about $200-$300 for a steel one and $400-$500 for an aluminum one (aluminum drive shafts will improve your mileage and acceleration BTW)

I'm not sure if the MUA5 uses cooling lines if it doesn't the existing transmission cooling lines need to be capped or removed, if it does use them it will need to be adapted.

The two things left after all of this is the computer and the internal trim... I'm not sure if the center console shifter area is shared with the 95-97 Rodeo like the dashboard is... if it is shared then you're probably only looking at swapping some plastic for an OEM look.

As for the computer, again I'm not sure if the computer is similar to that of the trooper, if it is then you could simply swap it out... if not you will likely need to do some sensor fooling to make the computer assume that the auto transmission is a-ok.... I'll have to look more into this aspect...

-----------------------------
I apologize if this work has already been done once before. I looked for a couple of weeks to find GOOD 5-speed swap info on the VX to no avail... after doing research myself I managed to find all of the above in 2 days by asking questions to a few key people in the Isuzu community.

I have no plans to do this swap right now, I don't jump into projects like this until I know the feasibility and all the info about what has to be done.

I'll post more when I figure it out, but I'm waiting to receive my FSM... when that comes in I should be able to determine what needs to be done on the Computer side of things.


Another interesting link I found on engine swaps is here:
http://myweb.cableone.net/bcanderson/trooper/AuroraSwap.html

This is beneficial to anyone interested in replacing the motor but NOT the transmission.

[twistedsymphony]

Doing a little more research I was able to determine that the Rodeo shifter trim should work for the VX... the new 5 speed wont need transmission cooling lines so they can be capped off and the Trooper 5 speed computer should work for the VX...

Parts list is as follows:
-MUA5 Transmission with 3.2L/3.5L Bell housing
-3.2L/3.5L Clutch & pressure plate (should be bought new)
-3.2L/3,5L Clutch Slave Cylinder (should be bought new)
-3.2L/3.5L 5 speed flywheel
-Brake Pedal from a 5 speed Rodeo (or saw off half of the auto pedal)
-Clutch Pedal from a 5 speed Rodeo
-Clutch Master Cylinder from a 5 speed Rodeo
-Clutch line from a 5 speed Rodeo? (go with SS braided line if possible)
-Computer from a Trooper with the 3.5L 5 speed
-Interior Shifter Trim from a 5 speed Rodeo
-Custom Drive-shaft

I'm thinking you could get the job done for ~$1000-$1500 +installation depending on how much you could find the parts for.

MUA5s go for ~$500 with the next most expensive item being the custom drive shaft...

This would be a complete bolt-on project with the exception of drilling a few holes to mount the clutch pedal... you'd lose TOD but you'd gain a bullet proof transmission/t-case that would not only allow for 2WD and Full-time 4WD but you'd probably have a quicker VX along with much improved gas mileage. :smilegray

[ZEUS]

All this is interesting... So the 3.5 and 3.2 bellhousings interchange then? Joe Black is pretty knowledgable in all things Isuzu and I know he had some pics of the firewall and pointed out the "cutouts" for the clutch pedal assembly and all that. Otherwise, I haven't heard any real mention of swapping a manual into a VX. I wonder if the transmission tunnel on the VX would be tall enough to fit the manual tranny... Do you know anything about that yet or did I miss it? The use of a manual tranny may be a good route for swapping in a solid axle... and for using a lower low range gear ratio!

[twistedsymphony]

I haven't investigated if a 5-speed will fit in the tunnel.. all of this info is from talking with Isuzu off-road people who have done various engine/transmission swaps and know which parts are compatible with what.

However with nearly every other vehicle I've seen the Automatics take up quite a bit more space than 5-speeds, so I'm not to worried about that.

Not to mention Manufacturers typically build their chassis to handle either, even if they never plan to release one or the other, if trends take a sharp turn tomorrow and they discover that automatics kill kittens and everyone wants a stick shift, they want to make sure they don't have to re-engineer the whole thing ;)

I kind of really want to do this now, but I wont be able to do any of this until next spring at the earliest. If all goes well it would only take a weekend to do, if something goes horribly wrong it could take months though and I'll need my VX for the winter (not to mention I've got other projects on my plate right now). I might take this on sooner if it had already been done by someone else... but as they say "the pioneers get the arrows, the settlers get the land" I don't mind being a pioneer, but I can't afford any arrows right now :D

I was just really interested in the feasibility so I started researching and thought it would be nice to share my results. :gring:

[twistedsymphony]

I got a little more clarification on some items so I updated the list above.

3.2L and 3.5L equipment is completely interchangeable, so bell housing, flywheel, clutch, etc. can come from either or.

flywheel is different from auto to 5 speed so it will need to be swapped.

firewall is from a RODEO not an AMIGO (duh, it has the rodeo dash... of course it would be a rodeo firewall)... I don't know how I got that one wrong...

Also I'm thinking it might be necessary to swap the gauge cluster from an auto cluster to a manual cluster... since you will no longer need the TOD bits nor the auto selection indicator.... you might be able to make due just pulling bulbs.

[ZEUS]

Sounds like it might be best to find a complete '99 5-speed Trooper. You could just swap the motor, trans, computer, and t-case out of the Trooper at your own pace. Only the finishing touches would require finding a Rodeo, it sounds like, so that would be the only junk yard scrounging you would have to do. Selling the left over parts from both rigs might offset the price of buying a complete Trooper. Does computer swapping in a late model Isuzu create problems with emissions though? I know some vehicles won't pass emissions inspection after a computer swap because the VIN's don't match and it throws a code...

[twistedsymphony]

I suppose it would depend on the emissions laws for the particular state.

Not all ECUs store the vin (don't know if the VX does or not) I don't think there is any problem swapping an ECU for another compatible ECU since they do break sometimes... you might even be able to find someone with Isuzu programming equipment who is capable of swapping the vin in the ECU if necessary.

As far as emissions are concerned on a federal level... you're not allowed to remove any of the emissions equipment, and if they need to be replace they must be replaced with OE parts, if OE parts are not availble then they maybe replaced with similarly speced, certified, aftermarket replacements.

It is perfectly legal to swap the engine and transmission out completely HOWEVER the engine must be from the same model year or newer vehicle, it must be an EPA approved motor (that basically means it needs to come from a car originally sold in the USA), and you must preserve all of the original emissions equipment from that motor.

Obviously some states are more forgiving than others, CA is the worst, as everything in the engine bay needs to be CARB approved, so if you do an engine swap your custom headers built to make it fit will cause it to fail :rolleyes: ... that doesn't mean you cant do swaps though... I know Hinson Supercars makes a swap kit to put a Chevy LS1 in a Nissan 240sx and they built custom headers and got them CARB approved making the swap 100% legal in CA as long as you use a factory CARB approved LS1 engine with all the original emissions equipment.

I don't see any real issue with swapping just the transmission and computer out, as long as the computer is a "factory replacement" for that motor since depending on how you look at it the ECU is part of the emissions equipment.

I'm in NH and the only form of emissions testing done here is hooking up to the OBDII port and checking for codes, as long as the reading comes back clean you're good to go, they don't even do a sniffer test and pre ODBII cars (1995 and earlier) are completely emissions exempt...

Even if I left the auto computer on there and it threw transmission codes, I believe a good shop with an intelligent tech would realize that the codes he was seeing weren't relevant to the emissions system.... or you could "know someone" ;) I drove a WRX with no emissions equipment for several years and never had a problem getting a sticker... these days I'm trying to stay 100% legal, but at the same time my summer car is a 1995 240sx, and I bought that year specifically so I wouldn't have to worry about OBDII and emissions testing (hey legal is legal).

Most states don't even do emissions though.

[ObsidianDragon]

Theres a rally spec v-cross run by Tubus Racing in Australia with a 5spd of its own, and a quad cam v6 block, aluminum 3.5 like ours. be interesting to see what they might relay to the community

linkage:
http://tubusracing.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=27

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

pretty much un-related, but being the owner of a 92
Subaru SVX, about 3 yrs ago our group finally mastered
the 5 spd conversion on our cars, but since they did it
many have found the next week link, being the clutch.
Its way more fun to drive, better mpg too, but they do
drive their cars harder and go thru clutches a bit often.

Good info though on your research, good luck.

[twistedsymphony]

pretty much un-related, but being the owner of a 92
Subaru SVX, about 3 yrs ago our group finally mastered
the 5 spd conversion on our cars, but since they did it
many have found the next week link, being the clutch.
Its way more fun to drive, better mpg too, but they do
drive their cars harder and go thru clutches a bit often.

Good info though on your research, good luck.

Those SVXs are cool... one of my college buddies had one that he put an STi 6 speed in. I don't think he owns it anymore.

The older 5 speeds are kind of crappy though (I used to own an 02 WRX myself) the housing around the clutch would wear out and you'd get that "juddering" when starting out from a stop on wet or cold days, then of course the 1st gear synchros would wear out really fast so you'd have to double clutch if you ever wanted to downshift into first.

All problems with the subaru 5 speeds since the mid 90s. I don't think they fixed the design until the 04 models when they migrated to the same "butterfly" synchros and clutch housing design of the 6 speed.

of course the 6 speed wasn't without it's flaws either, nor was the clutch... but if you're going to go through the trouble of swapping out the transmission it's worth spending a little extra coin on an improved aftermarket clutch IMO.

[kodiak]

?
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Garland_VX31_1_.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11868)

[twistedsymphony]

race car modifications are cool, but not all that helpful.

they have the financial backing to build custom 1 off parts that just aren't feasible for you and I to make use of.

they have no qualms just cutting a new hole in the floorboard to run the shifter and welding over the old one.

If I were building a race spec VX there is no way in hell I would use an MUA5 transmission... it's complete garbage for that application.

HOWEVER for someone like myself who is build a daily driver&weekend off-roader, the MUA5 is the cheapest/easiest/quickest/most OEM like path to getting a 5 speed, and it's more than up to the task for the kinds of things it will be used for.

I can tell you from that picture that neither the clutch nor the brake are ISUZU standard equipment... in all likely hood the transmission is a $12K racing trans with a custom/easily swappable bell housing and transfer case.

those guys rarely ever use off the shelf parts ;)

[technocoy]

I think the most interesting thing about switching to a 5 speed (other than finally having a manual again, YAY!) would be whether or not we can pump the HP on that one vs the fairly weak one we have now.

That would allow SC owners to finally drop those pulley to get a higher PSI and really get some serious muscle going.

As much as I love my TOD I would seriously consider this if I could be back to shifting and get my HP up around 300. mmmm. yay.

[twistedsymphony]

I'd ask some 5-speed trooper owners...

the SC was made for those things as well, so if they're running higher HP through the same 5 speed/t-case then... there's your answer ;)

[kpaske]

Great info, TS, thanks for sharing! I have often daydreamed about doing a complete drivetrain swap in my VX. We've discussed in some other threads the possibility of dropping in a turbo diesel / 5-speed combo from a Trooper, and if I only had the time and expertise I would have done this long ago (BTW if there are any volunteers out there, I could be open to the idea of paying/bartering/trading or whatever for some help! ;Db;). Have you considered anything along these lines?

[E-ZooZoo One]

I have a 1997 Rodeo w/ MUA5, and a 1999 VX…
The firewalls are 100% IDENTICAL – including the fact that the VX has a (plugged) pass-through for the clutch/master cylinder assembly, including the mounting holes… No drilling necessary.

I intend to swap the Rodeo’s MUA5 /w integrated T-case into my VX someday… and I think I’ll be able to live without TOD since I’ll be gaining a set of 3.07:1 ratio Tera Low Gears (already installed) :smilewink

[twistedsymphony]

Great info, TS, thanks for sharing! I have often daydreamed about doing a complete drivetrain swap in my VX. We've discussed in some other threads the possibility of dropping in a turbo diesel / 5-speed combo from a Trooper, and if I only had the time and expertise I would have done this long ago (BTW if there are any volunteers out there, I could be open to the idea of paying/bartering/trading or whatever for some help! ;Db;). Have you considered anything along these lines?

baby steps... swapping out the most complex part of a vehicle is a LOT of work.

there are a ton of things to consider too
People obviously consider stuff like
-will it fit?
-will I have to have a custom drive shaft made
-will the gearing work?

but what about..
-will I have to fabricate custom engine and transmission mounts?
-will the factory radiator have enough cooling power
-will I have to make custom radiator hoses?
-will I have to make custom power steering hoses?
-will cruise control still work? what has to be done to preserve it?
-will A/C still work? what has to be done to preserve it?
-will the current fuel system support diesel or will I have to upgrade the pump, filter, regulator, and lines? Will the current lines even plug into the new engine?
- lots and lots of other tiny details

being that you're going from an isuzu to an isuzu you'll probably have an easier time over all, but moving to some engine from another make and model altogether, you're in for a LOT of work.

I'm in the early stages of swapping an LS1 into my Nissan 240sx and let me tell you there are a LOT of tiny details, little crap that you don't even think about like... hmm I need to use an adapter to hook up just about EVERY hose, the wiring harness is about 6" too short so I have to cut and lengthen EVERY wire on the harness. or the fact that while the motor fits the headers do no... oops there's another grand I wasn't planning on spending.


I looked at the MUA5 transmission because it's made to work with that motor, in a similar chassis. If Isuzu had built the VX in a 5-speed they probably would have chosen that transmission as well... is it the best transmission? no, there are lots of other transmissions I'd like to use first but it's the path of least resistance, you're probably not going to find a cheaper/easier 5 speed to swap in, and it's an upgrade from the auto trans that's in there now...

Anything is possible, it's just a matter of resources.

I'm planning on looking into this swap more seriously in the spring... hopefully my LS1 project will be done by then and the bank will have some spending money.

[Octamog]

Hi,

New guy here thinking about buying a vehicross and putting a 5sp in it.

What about the possibility of mating the TOD to an Aisin AR-5 (MA5) out of a 4WD Colorado/Canyon/H3?

Does the TOD "talk" to the TCM at all or just the ECM?

http://octamog.smugmug.com/photos/385734865_s2Y5S-O.jpg

I think the bellhousing is the same as a 4L30, but I could be wrong.

more info here: Link (http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:5Ixqr70Wmv4J:www.mcadf.com/tech/index.cfm%3Fpath%3DAisin_AR-5_(MA5)%26event%3DMain%26printFormat%3DPDF+colorad o+ma5+transmission&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us)

Edit: now looking at it, it appears the starter motor is in a different possition. I can't tell from the picture, but I wonder if the the bellhousing is part of the transmission case or if it is two pieces. Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Aisin_transmissions) claims the AR-5 came on some Troopers/Bighorn.

[Octamog]

Upon further investigation, the AR-5 is based on the 15X series of Aisin transmissions. Apparently the bellhousings for these will all interchange, so it should be possible to mate it to the 3.5l Isuzu.

More info here: Link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_R_transmission)

Now, can an adapter be made to mate the TOD to the transmission and is the output shaft of the trans the same size/splines as the TOD?

Does anyone have size/spline info for the TOD?

[kodiak]

As far as I know the TOD will only work with the automatic. The TOD and the automatic transmission computer are one in the same.

[Octamog]

As far as I know the TOD will only work with the automatic. The TOD and the automatic transmission computer are one in the same.


Thanks for the response! So to retain the TOD would require a dedicated TOD controller, which is probably what the rally cars are using. That would not bother me, if one was available... time to pop over to the TOD controller thread and ask some questions there....

[VCrossfan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__1996-97-ISUZU-RODEO-4X4-3-2L-MANUAL-TRANSMISSION_W0QQitemZ250295623625QQddnZPartsQ20Q2 6Q20AccessoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q 26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem ?_trksid=p4506.m20.l1116

[twistedsymphony]

coachreed attempted to keep the TOD system on his LS1/T-56 swap

IIRC he had to crack open the transmission to swap out the output shafts and have a custom adapter plate fabbed up to mate with the TOD system... I suspect you'd have to do the same to get any transmission to work with the TOD system. I have no idea of what was done on the computer side to get it to work.

I realize that the TOD system is part of what makes a VX a VX but really it's just a electronically controlled AWD system. I wouldn't be surprised if the rally VX dumped it altogether in lieu of full time 4WD.

Considering there's a lot of effort to turn the TOD system into a manually selectable 2WD/4WD system I wonder why even bother keeping it?

[BigMeatVX]

Yes the hummer H3 5 speed will work..(belhousing change). as will the factory H3 low 4.3:1 transfer case that is in the H3!!!!!.....:bgwo:Ive done much exstensive research on this and will be doing this exact swap soon...

the TOD computer is SEPERATE from the computer that runs the auto tranny!!!!!:eek: And it ONLY operates the TOD.

Also the H3 transfercase is built just like the VXs and is in fact also of "TOD" design meaning elrectromagnetic clutches that engage 4x4....

Lastly, You CAN mate up a ar-5 out of a 1999 trooper to a stock VXs transfer case. AND keep TOD..they bolt right up!:eek:

another possibility is the 6-speed out of the FJ cruiser (belhousing change to ar-5) mated to the H3 transfer case!

This has been spoken on before a while back....

Go for it.....

[justatwinturbo]

im just bookmarking this thread so i can view it when my vx doesnt have 24k miles haha...sort of a future modification ;)

[Knivx]

Not meaning to thread jack but what are the options of just ditching the tod case then? I like the auto trans i just want the tod gone to make my sas easier to work out? Would i just need a xcase out of a rodeo or would the H3 case bolt up? I'm confused here. I just don't want too much custom fab on this part since the eventual sas has plenty. If the tod computer is seperate from the tranny that'd lead me to believe it can just be replaced with another case and i can keep the auto trans. It'd make it a little cheaper to do as well.

[Cris]

Just did alot of research on the subject and the trooper has two more switches 4wheeldrive and a TOD switch somone has the scamatic here on this site shows the difference between the two check it out, and yes it can be done. Manual drive needs the two switches cause its a manual,

[Greasemonkey]

I see no reason why a rodeo transmission wouldn't fit straight in - here in the UK we have the Frontera with the Isuzu V6 same as the JDM VX - having examined the whole transmission i have discovered that a donor manual V6 frontera transmission would bolt straight to the VX power unit - the frontera transmission is SOTF like the JDM VX so giving 4WD by button and low range as well
surely a US rodeo V6 is the same as a frontera and a rodeo ecu would fit the VX as a swop sorting out the auto transmission problems
the transmission comes with a 'dual mass' flywheel and handles speeds up to 130 mph easily
cheers
Steve

[Griffin]

I am subscribed to this now. I want a bad *** 5/6 speed vehicross and still retain TOD. :cool:

[Geo114]

Yo,

I'm Brand new to the forum, but this is one of the only things I consider to be flawed about the VX. I have decided that when my Auto Transmission begins to crap out I WILL be replacing it with a manual. Given the surprises that my VX throws at me this could be tomarrow or it could be a year from now. An earlier post stated that the ar-5 could be bolted in. Would I need a new bell housing and/or a TOD adapter if it came from a 1999 Trooper? My goal would be to keep the TOD system.

[Geo114]

Okey dokey. My Vehicross is going in to have the TOD case worked on this wednessday. To do this they're gonna have to drop it out of the truck. While its out I will be taking many pictures of the input. I will also be taking pictures of the back of the transmission.

I have found a shop in topeka willing to do the conversion as long as I've done all the leg work (Finding out if it would actually work, getting parts ect.). My goal would be to keep the TOD and I think the 99-02 trooper trans could be the answer. One question I have though is about the Vehicle Speed Sensor. Is it on the transmission. If it is it could cause some trouble with the conversion. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Griffin]

If this can happen and still retain the TOD a Quafe sequential gearbox will be fitted. :cool:

[CoastieCosta567]

it's on the transfercase. If any 1 of you guys pull this off, please post cost, parts list of full done project and labor cost and/or time Please. I'm going to do this mod when my tranny gives and i'm at 142,000 miles right now, so when it gives I'm going to do it.



Okey dokey. My Vehicross is going in to have the TOD case worked on this wednessday. To do this they're gonna have to drop it out of the truck. While its out I will be taking many pictures of the input. I will also be taking pictures of the back of the transmission.

I have found a shop in topeka willing to do the conversion as long as I've done all the leg work (Finding out if it would actually work, getting parts ect.). My goal would be to keep the TOD and I think the 99-02 trooper trans could be the answer. One question I have though is about the Vehicle Speed Sensor. Is it on the transmission. If it is it could cause some trouble with the conversion. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Ascinder]

My trans just blew up yesterday, so I am off to the junkyard this weekend to look for a manual. :mad:

[twistedsymphony]

I'm both surprised and thrilled to see this post make it's way back to the top of the pile...

my other project (LS1+6speed into a Nissan 240sx) is woefully behind schedule so it's not likely that my VX will see a stick shift this year since I kind of need it to drive around...

in any case I'd be willing to help out wherever possible to those here who are interested in trying it.

[CoastieCosta567]

My trans just blew up yesterday, so I am off to the junkyard this weekend to look for a manual. :mad:

man that blows bro, what milage was your tranny in, cuz i'm scared mine will kick a leg soon, well if your doing the 5 speed swap, i wish you good luck and hope it turns out supa sweet. keep us posted.

[Joe_Black]

Pick up a copy of the Trooper shop manual for the UK models and you'll find a different selection of Aisin 5-speed manuals to choose from, IIRC many are available here. I haven't done squat on hardly any projects since getting laid off last July so this is all from memory. My plan for the Ebony was and still is to put a 3.1L Isuzu diesel in with 5-speed and TOD for stage rally, with the specific idea of using as much OEM off-the-shelf components as possible. I'd love to go sequential with the gearbox, but even if I had a job the $$$ would be prohibitive.

But for those looking to do this definitely get the UK Trooper manual, it's available on eBay in CD format from several sellers just be sure to check the feedback out. I got mine for about $12 shipped and it's a great quality indexed PDF of the factory manuals.

[Ascinder]

So, Joe, is there any giant difference between the Aisin and the MUA5 as far as durability, torque ability, ease of install, etc? What benefits would one gain by using this? Right now I have a line on a cheap MUA5 so all I still need is a clutch, clutch pedal, master and slave cylinders, and that appears to be it. I am eventually going to swap the entire powertrain out, but since this is my daily driver, I figured at least I'd take the opportunity to try and see if this swap could be done on a VX.

[Joe_Black]

The Aisin 5-speed (I'll see about getting a model number posted as soon as I can find the CD) was stuck behind the 3.1L and later 3.0L intercooled turbo-diesel Troopers so is a pretty stout unit. AFAIK, the t-case isn't integral and I think I reasoned out how to mate the TOD to it using either an off-the-shelf adapter or one was fairly straightforward to make. Again, I'm operating on memory here and haven't thought in this circle for a while. ;)

It seems almost as if the US Isuzus got the weakest drivetrain components since we got the weakest engines in most cases, so I've been eyeballing Trooper front clips from the UK and Japan. I've heard that stuff like that may be getting either more difficult to import or pricier depending upon which overbearing governmental rumor you like best. :rolleyes:

Again, grab the CD shop manual for the JDM/UK Isuzus. I drooled my keyboard after I got mine!

[twistedsymphony]

So, Joe, is there any giant difference between the Aisin and the MUA5 as far as durability, torque ability, ease of install, etc? What benefits would one gain by using this? Right now I have a line on a cheap MUA5 so all I still need is a clutch, clutch pedal, master and slave cylinders, and that appears to be it. I am eventually going to swap the entire powertrain out, but since this is my daily driver, I figured at least I'd take the opportunity to try and see if this swap could be done on a VX.

don't forget electrical... the computer might not like the 5-speed, even though the trans has it's own separate computer the engine computer still gets data from the trans and if it stops getting that data it will throw a CEL that can't easily be removed... the easy solution would be to swap out for a ECM that was originally designed for that motor with a manual trans

also electrical connectors on the trans.. manual transmissions typically have a reverse sensor (for turning on reverse lamps) a speed sensor (for your speedo), and depending on other stuff it might also have a reverse lockout (to prevent you from shifting into reverse while driving) among other things.

Also a Manual ecu might want a clutch pedal switch to determine when you're using the clutch, though a lot of times this is just used to start the car and can be tied to ground to fool the computer into thinking that you've always got the clutch pedal in.

if you're getting the trans from a junk yard it might not be a bad idea to snip off all these connectors and take them with you. I konw on transmissions swaps I've helped with in the past I was able to call a dealership and get "pigtails" for all of the connectors I needed , which are essentially the plug with a few inches of wire that I could use to build the harness myself... these aren't always cheap though. usually $15+ per connector, might be more for something like an Isuzu though.

then there is other stuff like the clutch line, any mounting brackets you might need...

most times the bolts used for the automatic flywheel wont work with the manual trans flywheel...

little crap like that can add up an add up fast, but thinking about it beforehand can save you some coin, especially if you've got a junk yard with a donor vehicle.

[fstopmonk]

So, has anyone actually done this manual transmission swap yet? My tranny has crapped and I never thought it was putting all the engine power to the wheels. Frankly for the $3k a rebuild trans is gonna cost I can probably do the swap, I just want to know if anyone has actually done it, what is cost and what was involved. This is my only car so there is no way I can use it for a guinea pig.

Any help would be much appreciated...

[BigMeatVX]

Yes!!! Someone has FINALLY done it...ME

I have installed a 5 speed in my VX AND I kept the TOD case!!!!!!:p:p:p:p

It was actually quite easy, as it is a complete "bolt in" set up...

I am using the 5 speed out of a 99 Trooper, (AR5 or MA5)....

I would have done this swap LONG ago, but I listened to the "know it alls" on here that were giving out in-correct info!!!!:mado:

[jdm monkey]

That's awesome bigmeat!
I have to do this! My left foot is atrophied.

[jimmyray]

Yes!!! Someone has FINALLY done it...ME

I have installed a 5 speed in my VX AND I kept the TOD case!!!!!!:p:p:p:p

It was actually quite easy, as it is a complete "bolt in" set up...

I am using the 5 speed out of a 99 Trooper, (AR5 or MA5)....

I would have done this swap LONG ago, but I listened to the "know it alls" on here that were giving out in-correct info!!!!:mado:

If you have completed the swap and it was a successs can you let us all know what parts you actually used ?

[Mile High VX]

http://www.vehicross.info/showthread.php/21729-VT_Maverick-s-5-Speed-Swap?highlight=5+speed+swap