Cabstar 5spd in an MQ

[RMP&O]

Yes I type a lot!

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!

[V8Patrol]

have a look here....
Lots of info and seeing you like typing there's plenty of reading 4 ya !!!

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... highlight=


hope this helps

Kingy

[RMP&O]

my gawd man...that thread is not only long but mind blowing! I thought I went off and typed to much!

After three beers I only made it to page 5 and can get no further tonight. Will keep reading though next visit as it definately interests me. While I have my own concept with my MQ and my own plans I hope you wouldn't be upset if I copied a few things such as your jerry can holder?? I read back in the forum last night...some 10-15 pages but must have missed this thread.

BTW, ripping out the carpet is a serious pain...you need a jack hammer to get the junk out after 21 years of use! I guess I am starting with customizing my interior. I didn't think they had gorilla glue in 1983!

One question only....you say 5spd in the post and I see the pics of it. But is this the cabstar 5spd??

[Screwy]

I was gonna run a similar setup with the gearbox as Kingy has, Nissan MQ 5 speed out of the later model MK patrols, though cant get my hands on one for the right price.
I am concidering going to the next step which would be chucking GQ front and rear diffs under it and a GQ speed. This enables disk brake rear, 5 speed box, the ability to get rockcrawler gears in the transfer case, coil spring front and rear ( or coil over possibly as well ) and can go up to higher ratios.

Thats a big mod though, and im sure Kingy, ur looking into something similar for the future too!!!

Screwy

[chimpboy]

I am concidering going to the next step which would be chucking GQ front and rear diffs under it and a GQ speed. This enables disk brake rear, 5 speed box, the ability to get rockcrawler gears in the transfer case, coil spring front and rear ( or coil over possibly as well ) and can go up to higher ratios.

Also widens the track nicely I believe...

Jason

[Screwy]

yeah that too mate!!!
And its so great cause if i smash the car, its only worth about $1000 to buy a new body thats good enough, then just swap the chassis over. If the damage is immense parts arnt hard to find.

If i went to a whole GQ, and i smashed it in, it cost me 10 K to buy and parts dont come so cheap, ( like whole new bodies )

Screwy

[V8Patrol]

One question only....you say 5spd in the post and I see the pics of it. But is this the cabstar 5spd??

No its a 5spd form a 87 mod MQ/MK LWB patrol. At the local wreckers they retail for aroung the $900 mark ( Aussie dollars ).

[RMP&O]

No its a 5spd form a 87 mod MQ/MK LWB patrol. At the local wreckers they retail for aroung the $900 mark

I thought it was but didn't know for sure. That is pretty affordable to me, cept shipping be at least $400AUS. I think the Cabstar is going to run way more and I have not even got a ya or nay on the adaptor yet. Real curious if you have the ratios for the MK 5spd? What about that jerry can mount? care if I use your design? I like to get a "yes it's OK" before I use somebodies ideas...

I am concidering going to the next step which would be chucking GQ front and rear diffs under it and a GQ speed. This enables disk brake rear, 5 speed box, the ability to get rockcrawler gears in the transfer case, coil spring front and rear ( or coil over possibly as well ) and can go up to higher ratios.

I been considering or wanting to do this to an old 60 series for a long time. I kinda gave up on the idea and untill recently had never laid eyes on a GQ (Y60) in person. I think it is doable on both the G60 and the MQ. I was going to use Volvo C303 portal diffs though because they are indestructable, are portals with 18" or more of clearance, gear reduction hub meaning more power/torque at the wheel, vacuume stock lockers and they run a 5.7 ratio. They are also offset and leaf sprung making fitting them a snap. main prob with the C303 diffs is they run me $4000 a pair! I also learned it won't work with the GQ 5spd because it runs a center rear diff. You can run 36" tires with the portals no probs, no cutting of fenders, no SOA, no lift, nothing. I am pretty sure the GQ diffs complete will run me $2000, the 5spd and transfer about $1500 and that is just to buy them and ship to USA. Gear mod is another $1000, lockers another $1500. Those USA bucks too. Then more cash after that to get them in my truck...adaptor plate comes to mind first, custom made. All this sounds real expensive fast...I got to many projects to devote all the time & money on one. So for now will just work on the interior and body of the MQ....and read more about Kingy's build up.

[V8Patrol]

another person that is scared of importing/exporting stuff I see.....

easy to ship stuff overseas if you know the right ppl,

for starters get it sent as "Agricultral Equipment".... this means less inspections, Govt taxes, & duties and also a cheaper rate....

find someone that actually either has a farm or makes farm equipment...


the rest is easy !!!!

A local bloke imports Sprintcar diffs from the US..... they cost $80 each from the US to Aussie !!!!...... he uses the above Agricultral Equipment forumla.

[CB0569]

yeah that too mate!!!
And its so great cause if i smash the car, its only worth about $1000 to buy a new body thats good enough,

Screwy

Where do you get a body for $1000 cause mine is RS

[RMP&O]

another person that is scared of importing/exporting stuff I see.....

uhhh...importing is what I do. All my Patrol stuff comes from over seas. If I was afraid to import I would not have bought a 1980 LG61 outside the USA with the plan to import it when the truck turns 25. I would also not be importing Patrols parts all the time. Importing is not it at all, I know about AG too, it is the price and amount of fabbing to put it under a truck I paid $1500 for. That is what I don't like in terms of fitting GQ stuff. The duty fees are not all that expensive, it is the acutal shipping costs that are. When you add up fees for shipping, government fess and my time plus fuel to drive to the nearest port (about 500 miles round trip) it gets expensive fast. Add it all up and it went from a $900 tranny to near a $1500 tranny. I have bought a number of things from Australia that came by sea so I do know what to expect.

easy to ship stuff overseas if you know the right ppl,

True true....but cost to ship does not decrease. To send things as AG may be good for costs but then I am screwing with the US governement and I don't care to do this. This is not just for me, these parts we are talking about are...but I am in the business of selling parts/trucks so why play a risky game with the government? Not to mention the closest customs agents where I pick things up know me and to go in there saying...this is for AG use will make them say, you are full of sh!t. I have also found being on the right end of the stick makes a huge difference. For example I can get a quote for shipping say at a local UPS, a friend can get a quote to the same location only in reverse. Meaning instead of from me to him from him to me. The price difference is about 700-800%. I don't plan to start BSing the government when I will be doing this importing many times in the future.

[Guy]

I was gonna run a similar setup with the gearbox as Kingy has, Nissan MQ 5 speed out of the later model MK patrols, though cant get my hands on one for the right price.
I am concidering going to the next step which would be chucking GQ front and rear diffs under it and a GQ speed. This enables disk brake rear, 5 speed box, the ability to get rockcrawler gears in the transfer case, coil spring front and rear ( or coil over possibly as well ) and can go up to higher ratios.

Thats a big mod though, and im sure Kingy, ur looking into something similar for the future too!!!

Screwy

You will run into some serious rear driveline issues here as the rear talshaft is gonna be very very short (10 to 12 inches if I recall correctly)

[Screwy]

I was gonna run a similar setup with the gearbox as Kingy has, Nissan MQ 5 speed out of the later model MK patrols, though cant get my hands on one for the right price.
I am concidering going to the next step which would be chucking GQ front and rear diffs under it and a GQ speed. This enables disk brake rear, 5 speed box, the ability to get rockcrawler gears in the transfer case, coil spring front and rear ( or coil over possibly as well ) and can go up to higher ratios.

Thats a big mod though, and im sure Kingy, ur looking into something similar for the future too!!!

Screwy

You will run into some serious rear driveline issues here as the rear talshaft is gonna be very very short (10 to 12 inches if I recall correctly)

Im not concerned with that, as the truck is already SOA and the shaft extended appropriatly. Other than that, il just get a pair of shafts extended, nothing new there.

With regards to bodies. I bought an MQ more or less complete (though had alot of bits out of the car) for 1 K and used more than 1 K worth of parts from it by far.
I also picked up a fully complete and running no dramas ( went there to pick it up and it hadnt been started in 2 and a half years, wacked some plates on it and drove it an hour and a half home )
MQ 50th aniversary edition SWB petty thats in great nick but has some rust for $500 a little while ago. If i was to sell it i would be selling it for more than that for sure!!

Screwy

[V8Patrol]

You will run into some serious rear driveline issues here as the rear talshaft is gonna be very very short (10 to 12 inches if I recall correctly)

Pretty good call,
I've looked at this mod and it is possiable but there are a few major mods that need to addressed aswell,
The rear diff can be moved back by a small amount without to many hassels but the room needed is more like 6 inches !!!

If I went coil instead of leaf then I could do it .......
first get GQ diffs & GQ 5 spd box,
shift rear diff back 6+ inches,
fit up 4 link rear end to diff, ( & 5 link to front diff )
cut body work ( major cuts needed here !!!! )
..... this would also give a wheel base of about 99" !!!

All in all .......... about 6 months of work !!!! , I'll pass

Kingy

[crowy]

yer guys i thourght i would add that i got and old sd33 shorty with a cabstar the 1st i dont use on road but off road shes a gun... crawls real well...

[RMP&O]

i got and old sd33 shorty with a cabstar the 1st i dont use on road but off road shes a gun... crawls real well...

Hey Crowy...thanks for the input. I won't be using any GQ stuff as it not worth the cost or the r&r plus fabbing. I am going to go with the stock 4spd, an MK 5spd or the Cabstar tranny. I am leaning torwards the Cabstar if I can get the adaptor or have it made at decent price. I will run the C200 diffs untill I could afford some portals, likely never afford those though!

Wondering how that cabstar tranny holds up over time and hard use?? Is it built to last, any probs with it? I definately like the gear ratios in the box....does yours use the stock MQ transfer case??

[buger man]

marks adaptors use to make adaptor for a cab star gearbox to a g60 you could try them they mite make them for a mq

[crowy]

yer shes running smooth ive had it in there since i got the truck that was about a year ago, nothings gone worng and i thrast the shat out of it. yer goes on to the stainded mq transfer case with a marks adapter i think.

[chimpboy]

I would say Dellow Automotive would probably be able to help you with an adaptor for the cabstar gearbox, and Geoff Dellow is a good guy to talk to anyway.

www.dellowauto.com.au

Shipping stuff Stateside is not a rare event for them I believe.

Jason

[MKPatrolGuy]

I have been told he 5 speed in my Patrol is from a Cabstar. I haven't confirmed it myself yet though. First gear is bloody low though.

Anyone know how to tell if it is a Cabstar 5 speed? It does have a Marks adaptor plate between the gearbox and t/case, can't remember the part number that's on it off the top of my head.

[XterraGuy]

Just got my European copy of Nissan's FAST parts-system software, might be applicable to you guys too.

Anyway, in Europe the F23 Cabstar (93+) came with one of the following transmissions:
RS5W71C behind the NA20S engine 7/92-5/94
RS5W81A behind the TD25 engine 7/92-5/94
RS5W81A behind all 5/94-5/98
RS5R91A behind all 5/98 on (this copy covers up to 11/02 production)

Best I can tell from the diagrams, the 5W71C has a one-piece bell-housing and case, there is an adapter plate between the main housing and the rear extension, and the rear extension is nearly as long as the main housing. The fill is on the left, and there no provision for a PTO.
The 5W81A has a separate bell housing and case, a rectangular PTO output (bit taller than wide) on the left side and a right-side fill. The rear housing is also nearly as long as the main case.
The 5R91A has a separate bell housing and main case, a right-side fill, a semi-rectangular (rounded top/bottom) left-side PTO, and the rear case is considerably shorter than the main case.

Any help?
Brent

[bazzle]

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.


Check ratio, Ensure you can get same ratio for front.

Bazzle

[V8Patrol]

the 5spd box listed for the MQ - MK series is ....


FS5W81A
5th..........0.825:1
4th..........1.000:1
3rd..........1.440:1
2nd..........2.370:1
engine with turbo
1st..........3.897:1
Reverse...4.267:1
engine without turbo
1st..........4.222:1
reverse...4.622:1

Other than the first letter in the batch number I'd recon that they are a very similar box compared to the "RS5W81A", can you get the ratios for that box?

Kingy

[XterraGuy]

I believe the "R" is for Remote-shift, the "F" is for (direct) Floor-shift, at least that's how the automatics are identified.