Tranny choices
Only about 10 percent of the 4x4 Toyotas in America have automatic transmissions, introduced in '85s. Transmissions are the one area Czajkowski, Hendricks, and Sickles say Toyota had some trouble. The '81-'83 versions just weren't strong enough. But in '84s, the trannies improved and were much more trouble-free. Five-speed overdrive trannies first became available in '81 models.
T-Case Tips
Rather than have a transfer-case model designation, such as NP205, Toyota builders call the T-cases four-cylinder or six-cylinder types, whether they're in standard beds, longbeds, or Xtracabs. All the '79-'85s had four-cylinder versions, and the '84-and-newers have the only change during the years--a 1/4-inch-taller 'case with bigger driveline flanges.
The T-case with '79-'83 carbureted engines and '84-'87 EFI engines has the shift lever bolted to the top of it, while on '84-'87 carbureted Toys the lever bolts to the tranny.
The transfer case on the left is the same for all '79-'83 Toyotas and '84-'87 fuel-injected engines; the shift lever bolts to the top of the transfer case. The one on the right is for '84-'87 carbureted engines, and the lever bolts directly to the tranny.