
I am talking to some guys about buying an adaptor to mate my MQ transfer case to a Nissan Cabstar 5spd. I like this idea as I get a 5th gear and I think the Cabstar has a lower 1st. My MQ is SD33, 1983 and I am pretty sure it is C200 diffs front and rear. I found an H260 offset rear diff from an MK so no probs getting that diff and using it if needed. May even use the H260 in an old G60 Patrol.
Cabstar 5spd ratios go like this...
1st: 4.818
2nd: 2.620
3rd: 1.429
4th: 1.000
5th: 0.777
Rev: 4.818
Final ratio: 3.700
I also like this tranny becasue I feel it is fairly bomber being from a large work truck powered by a diesel. The tranny will cost me a chunk of change though and have to be shipped from overseas. I can find it in great condition in a 3rd world country though so it is doable. So my questions are...
do you know anyone who has fitted this tranny to a Patrol? If so how did it work out? What are the diff ratios in my MQ (can't find the info)..? Should I consider using different diffs, at least in the rear such as the offset H260? What is the best diff ratio to run with this 5spd tranny and say 34" tires?
Am I wasting my time and money and be better off using a GQ 5spd with center rear diff? The GQ diff can be fitted with the right tranny/drivelines and some fabbing...then I would have coils in the rear. I will be screwed on a PTO if using the Cabstar, so this is a down point of the swap. I did find a PTO for an MQ few months back in New Zealand in super nice shape for cheap and think I can find another. I want to use a PTO but would dump the idea if the tranny rocks. Or should I just scrap the whole idea and stick with my MQ 4spd...or maybe even try to find an MK 5spd??
If you had the MQ, had the cash for whatever tranny you wanted what would you use and why? What about diffs, would you swap them also? I should mention that I can't get a GQ or I wouldn't even be messing with the MQ. The 83 MQ is the newest Patrol I can get my hands on in the USA.
Thanks for any input...it is hard to research this stuff when the parts/trucks never sold in your country!
