RB30 gearbox issue

[showtime393]

Just got a new toy,
RB30 patrol 1992, 280000km. I puchased it from a mate for $1000. body and interior is pretty good. motor sounds fine when running but seems to have carby issues. The gearbox is where the problems are, when my mate purchased it, it was already loaded on the trailer when he picked it up.
when he got it home he tried to reverse it off and it wouldn't go into reverse. drives fine and doesn't make any noise but doesn't go into reverse.
my mate says he has had it in reverse and it was fine but it won't always go in.
Could this be something simple or is it likely to be a shagged gearbox?
Does a vl turbo box bolt in its place? (bolt up to transfer)
Will an r33 5speed bolt in its place? (bolt up to transfer)

[forkcy]

hey mate
i believe that the gearbox in the RB30 patrol is the same box in the vl turbo

[showtime393]

Ok thanks very much. I have read alot in the calaisturbo site but couldn't seem to get to the bottom of it.
an r33 5 speed is considered the best value upgrade for a vl turbo and is a dirrect bolt in.
I'm just wondering if an r33 box would bolt upto a patrol transfer?
If I do need a new gearbox of coarse.

[zookimal]

They're all different boxes. They are approximately equal in strength internally but none are bolt in replacements from what I know.

[Clanky]

You need to have a box with the right rear housing / output shaft so you can bolt the transfer up to it
2.8TD and 3.0L Patrol boxes are cheap as chips due the fact that they get removed for 4.2 conversions
Put up a wanted ad here and you will pick one up cheap

Just a thought,, unless you know for sure the box is catus, have you checked the clutch is working correctly? Maybe something silly like a slave cylinder or a sticky pressure plate if its been sitting around a while
Could also check the gearstick bushings for wear. Cheap and easy to replace

[nicksamaniac]

funny how some people just blab out false info!!!
youll find that yes the rd28 is the same box, it is a FS5R30A gear box.
the same box is also used in some navara's, its also used in r32 gtr, r33gtr and gtst skylines, some other nissan models use this box aswell, the gtr is a good box to get as it uses the same rear case, others you use the insides out of, vl's use an mx5 manual box (dont know the maker) and a jatco auto box.
just google FS5R30A, there is stacks if info on them.
and lots of 1000hp parts available for them.