5 speed to 2.6 in an L200

[AL-58]

I've recently bought an MA L200 4WD to use as a genral runaround, it has had a Sigma 2.6 engine fitted onto the original 4 speed box. Everything works great, but it would be nice if it didn't rev so hard when I have to use it on the freeway. Now I've seen mention of narrow bock and wide block 2.6s, but wouldnt have a clue what I have if it makes any difference to my query.

I'm thinking a 5-speed from a 4WD 2.6 Triton would be what I should be looking for. Am I on the right track?

There is a 5 speed from an '88 Triton 4WD on ebay, what sort of questions should I be asking? He says to suit either a petrol or a diesel, is this right?

Any idea what other parts (if any) I might need to put a Triton 5-speed into an L200?

TIA

Al

[-Scott-]

Ooh bugger. You may be out of luck.

I'm guessing the L200 would have had a 2.0 Astron initially, and not a 2.6. If they're anything like Sigmas, the 2.0 Astron bellhousing is compatible with the 2.6 Auto bolt pattern, but not the 2.6 manual bolt pattern (I believe the auto is the "narrow" block, and the manual is the "wide" block.)

So, chances are high that the 2.6 is out of a 2.6 auto Sigma, so it's unlikely to be compatible with any manual transmission from behind a 2.6.

Options?

1. Hope I'm wrong - it wouldn't be the first time, and I doubt it will be the last.

2. Try to find a 5 speed box from a 2.0 litre Sigma, and see if that can be adapted to your transfer. I think all 2.0 Sigmas were Borg Warner boxes, which weren't good - cr@p synchro on second. A Jap box would be better, but I don't recall what they came in - some late '70s Lancers perhaps, but good luck finding one.

3. Try your luck adapting a late Sigma 2.6 manual box to your engine AND the transfer case. I recall that adapting the manual box to the "narrow" block isn't too tricky, so that may be OK. I have NFI about the transfer case.

4. Try adapting a Pajero gearbox/transfer to your L200. Other than the wide/narrow issue, I don't know what that would involve.

5. Sell your existing 2.6 (and 4 speed) and pickup an entire engine/trans/transfer combo to drop in.

6. Dump the 2.6 for a Commodore V6 and TH700 trans. Places like Marks Adaptors may already have a kit (or not. )

Or wait for Bitsamissin - he's the Guru.

Cheers,

Scott

PS Welcome to OL.

[AL-58]

Ooh bugger. You may be out of luck.

I'm guessing the L200 would have had a 2.0 Astron initially, and not a 2.6. If they're anything like Sigmas, the 2.0 Astron bellhousing is compatible with the 2.6 Auto bolt pattern, but not the 2.6 manual bolt pattern (I believe the auto is the "narrow" block, and the manual is the "wide" block.)

So, chances are high that the 2.6 is out of a 2.6 auto Sigma, so it's unlikely to be compatible with any manual transmission from behind a 2.6.

Options?

1. Hope I'm wrong - it wouldn't be the first time, and I doubt it will be the last.

2. Try to find a 5 speed box from a 2.0 litre Sigma, and see if that can be adapted to your transfer. I think all 2.0 Sigmas were Borg Warner boxes, which weren't good - cr@p synchro on second. A Jap box would be better, but I don't recall what they came in - some late '70s Lancers perhaps, but good luck finding one.

3. Try your luck adapting a late Sigma 2.6 manual box to your engine AND the transfer case. I recall that adapting the manual box to the "narrow" block isn't too tricky, so that may be OK. I have NFI about the transfer case.

4. Try adapting a Pajero gearbox/transfer to your L200. Other than the wide/narrow issue, I don't know what that would involve.

5. Sell your existing 2.6 (and 4 speed) and pickup an entire engine/trans/transfer combo to drop in.

6. Dump the 2.6 for a Commodore V6 and TH700 trans. Places like Marks Adaptors may already have a kit (or not. )

Or wait for Bitsamissin - he's the Guru.

Cheers,

Scott

PS Welcome to OL.

Thanks for that, you are correct it was a 2.0 originally. What I was hoping for is a 5-sped that would bolt sraight up to the block, but it seems it wont be that easy.

Although it's in very good cond, the ute is just intended as a runabout, I haven't bought it as any sort of project (I have enough of those). The fact that its a 4WD is just a bonus

The complete later model 2.6/trans swap would appear to be the most likely, but that won't be happening any time soon. parents in law have a spare Triton Clubcab 2.6 5 speed 4WD, but it still gets used on the farm so I cant harvest that one.

Al

[-Scott-]

parents in law have a spare Triton Clubcab 2.6 5 speed 4WD, but it still gets used on the farm so I cant harvest that one.

Al

Would the in-laws entertain some form of exchange? If they're only using it on-farm they may not need the 5 speed?

Good luck,

Scott

[AL-58]

Would the in-laws entertain some form of exchange? If they're only using it on-farm they may not need the 5 speed?

Good luck,

Scott

I can't say I haven't thought about that myself.

You're right about not needing the 5-speed for it's current use (mostly feeding stock), but the exchange I'd be thinking about is vehicle for vehicle, with some cash rather than running gear for running gear. Their Triton('90) is in quite good cond, but it's unregistered now as they've bought a V6 Rodeo ute more suited to towing a caravan. It wouldn't be likely to happen anytime soon though(money needs to be not wasted on the L200 which is really only a spare car and needs to be kept for the real project gathering dust in the garage), but the Triton isn't going anywhere soon either.

Al

[teetul]

I have just transplanted a wide block Pajero KM145 five speed into a narrow block 4 speed case and fitted the 5 speed extension housing and transfer to it. Works fine only problem was the front input shaft bearing. I had to use the original 4 speed bearing as the front housing is diferent on the 5 speed and the studs are too short although I guess you could chnge them. The 4 speed housing I used was from a L300 van. I have another 5 speed KM145 and am going to try to fit it to my original KM144 case for a spare. The cases apear to be pre drilled and tapped to take the different rear bearing retainer.
Next project to try to fit 3.9 diffs to increase econnomy.

[Rainbow Warrior]

In Sigma's there were 2 different 2.6 Astron motors to fit the 5 speed BorgWarners and also another to fit Jap 5 speed & auto's. The 2 litres I believe all were interchangable with the Jap 5 speed pattern. I think one was swappable with some redowling & redrilling, not sure if that helps. The Jap 5 speeds were around in the later models, same as the earlier Jap 4 speeds. Except the earlier 1400 & 1600 Saturn motors of course.