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Thread: Lost 2nd and 5th gear! Need Transmission Help!

  1. #1

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    Lost 2nd and 5th gear! Need Transmission Help!

    in need of a transmission swap/rebuild. can someone help me with identification of the trans in the 1984 2.3 4d55t 4x4 model? are they the same as in the 2.6 gassers? Any help is welcome, want to get my coal roller back on the road!

  2. #2

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    Anyone?

  3. #3


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    Same trans 2.6 to Diesel

  4. #4

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    It's a KM132 transmission. Don't officially call that possum dead til you check the pulse. Find a honorable transmission specialist and it will potentially save you a lot of work and money like it did for me. Same transmission and motor as you.
    You can read my experience:
    http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...-Great-Dilemma!
    and
    http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...s-Happy-ending

  5. #5

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    Noahwins just came across a brand new one.
    http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...d-Stock-KM-132
    You could message him and do some inquiring.

  6. #6

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    1985 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
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    you might try car-part... it's a search of auto recyclers around the country. I did a quick search and found some between 250 and 600 when I tore mine apart last weekend. you might need to choose a gas model though. I also think you're running the KM145... there's been some chatter about the difference, but I think the 145 is what they are used for 4x4 models... as far as my research has gone that is. It should be stamped on an ID tag on in the engine bay on the firewall. have you pulled the pan yet? you'll be able to see if 2nd is working... it may just be in your linkage... or even easier, it might be just some bolts that have vibrated out of the shifter... I'd pull the boot before doing anything.

  7. #7

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    thanks for the help everyone. I pulled the shifters off the top to see if there was any problems there but all looked well, I have not pulled the pan yet, been putting it off until I can get some oil on hand. I don't think its a linkage issue because it happened while driving. I was going up a long grade in 5th gear(I know rookie mistake) and it made a chunk noise and the engine revved out like I was in neutral. I put the clutch in and tried shifting back to 5th but it just wasn't there anymore, just empty space. when I pulled off the road I down shifted trough the gears until I came to 2nd which grinded like crazy and wouldn't go in. so I went to 1st with no problem. was able to limp it home by skipping 2nd and running in 4th

  8. #8

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    oh and the bolt count on the bottom pan is 12. ill look in the engine bay later today to see if I can find a trans code. if it is the same as the 2.6 gasser 4x4 ill be in luck because my dad has 2 '87s lying around

  9. #9

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    The Diesel model runs a heavier duty version of the same transmission used behind a 2.6L

    The shift pattern is slightly different (1st gear is offset to the left a little bit more than it is in the gas models, for some reason, though this may be a difference in the Gas and Diesel Transfer Cases rather than the transmission itself). 1st Gear and Reverse are a lower gear ratio than the 2.6L version.

    The 2.6L uses a Cable Actuated Clutch/Fork, The Diesel transmission uses a Hydraulic Slave Cylinder to actuate the Fork.


    About 2 years ago I sold my Diesel KM145 (4WD) for $50, with transfer case, because I was hurting for money and didn't need the transmission anymore. Kinda wish I would have kept it, because I want to convert my '84 back to Turbo Diesel some day.



    Other than internal differences, they're virtually the same externally. Both are Wideblock pattern. When my diesel died, I bolted a 2.6L directly to my KM145D transmission and continued to drive the truck up until I converted it to a Small Block Mopar V8

  10. #10

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    So I should be able to put a 145 from a 2.6 in and be okay until I can scrounge and afford all the parts to fix my broke trans then? I'll just have a taller first and reverse which I can live with

  11. #11

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    For the most part, yeah a regular KM145 (4WD) or KM132 (2WD) (145 is 4WD 5-Speed, 132 is 2WD 5-Speed) will bolt right up to a 4D55T or 4D56T.

    But you have to figure out what to do about your Clutch. The Gas Transmission will not have the mounts to bolt a Hydraulic Slave Cylinder to, and the Fork is different. Your Diesel Cab will not have a place to install a Cable assembly for a Gas style Clutch. You'll either have to fit an Aftermarket Universal Slave Cylinder to the side of the Gas 5-Speed, or add the piece of Firewall (and swap the clutch pedal) from a Gas Cab to your Diesel Cab to use the Gas transmission

  12. #12

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    do you think I would essentially be able to just drill and tap holes on the gasser trans housing to mount the hydraulic piston then swap the forks? I would think the housing would be the same for either one minus the mounting location

  13. #13

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    I've just gone though the same issue you are dealing with. Trust me by far the best bet is to stick with your original trans, pull it and rebuild it yourself or have someone do it for you. All the gas transmissions from junk yards have the cable clutch and are out of a 30+ year old truck that could be just as bad as the one you have. Just converting the clutch will cost you more $ and time wise than a rebuild I guarantee you.

    The internals of all 4wd are identical and the internals of all 2wd are identical for the 4 and 5 speed respectively. So you can use a junkyard trans for parts if you need any. Usually a rebuild kit with synchros is all you will need, and tool wise a Posi-Lock TJ1 puller as well as the harbor freight gear splitter puller is all the special tools you will need.

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