LN46 converted to RN46......why????

[territorian]

Greetings one and all, I just purchased my first ever Hilux at a garage sale for $500. Still registered.
It is a LN46 twin cab, that was converted to a RN46 via the placement of an 18R in the engine bay . Why you ask? I don't know either! But according to the engineers certificate, it was done in 1994.
The box is a standard 4 speed, and sounds very noisy in all gears but 3rd (the reason why the cheap sale) I actually suspect it has no oil and have not checked as yet.
I am going to convert this little beast into a little beast with balls eventually, with a V6 and T700 swap out . But for the mean time, I would like to know the details on how to convert my 4 speed into a 5 speed, apparently this can be done? Or alternatively, I could buy a box from a wrecker , and fit that, but I believe thats not a clear cut job either?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.

[BENOLUX]

Hey mate.

Mine has been converted to a g52 5 speed box.

simply explained the gearbox crossmember moves back about 4 or 5 inchs.
You can utilise some of the original holes from the crossmember and reweld new mounts on. I can try and get a picture at some stage and load it up.

[territorian]

Thanks for your reply Benolux, send those pics through I'm interested.
I had an inspection of the filler hole today, and discovered that my finger stayed dry when I stuck it in. So then I removed the drain plug, and nothing came out. So that solves the noisy gear box issue. I filled her with oil and took a burn down to the shops, and strangely enough everything sounded and behaved as it should. So overall, not a bad buy for $500. Next stop, the dreaded roadworthy!!! should be good though, maybe a flange gasket and were all good.

[BENOLUX]

Next time i put it up on the hoist or the car stands ill get you a picture!

it doesnt look to hard if you have some welding knowledge and the right tools.

[81Lux]

Gday guys, I have a LN46 that had a 2.2 deisel and 4 speed, and am putting in a 3.8 V6 and T700. I have worked out my distances leaving 40mm clearance at the firewall, and 140mm from engine to radiator. With that in mind the driveshafts need to be shortened & lengthened by 175mm.
Benolux, you said when changing to a G52 5 speed, you need to mount it 4-5 inches back. Does that mean I could use driveshafts out of LN65 or similar (with G52) and they could be close enough for length (with extension tube) ?

[BENOLUX]

Im not exactly sure weather you could. Mine runs a 1 piece shaft which could be standard that has been modified and shortened.

To give you an idea of how far it moves back, try and imagine this....

The original crossmember has been used and the holes at the front on the outerside of the chassis move and sit over the rear holes on the inside of the chassis rails. (this probably makes no sense but hop under your truck and imagine the crossmember moved back and 50% of the holes acctually line up.

I will try my best to get a picture and get it on the internet as it is hard to explain without showing you.