Akurasix

Hi guys!
I'm looking for some advices on a transmission swap, I've been reading around but I can't find anything about the R156.

I have a 2000 Hilux (DCB DLX 2WD) with a 2RZ-FE engine and a W56 transmission.
My W56 has some bearing issues and I'd swap it instead of rebuilding it since I'm preparing the engine for turbo.

I have found a R156 (Chile SPEC - EURO 5 REGULATION) transmission but the bellhousing is different.


W56 bellhousing


R156 transmission

Any suggestions on how to perform this swap if possible at all? I'm currently investigating if there is a compatible bellhousing.

Akurasix

It looks like this will do the job?
2TR Bellhousing Kit / RZ to R-series Bellhousing Conversion Kit | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

Sent them a message about compatibility, let's see what they say.

Akurasix

That's cool!

What else do you guys think I should keep in mind?

The input shaft splines count for both transmissions is 21, I have confirmed it physically.

Part numbers reference:
R156 33301-0K030 (21S-29T-37T)
W56 33301-30080 (21S-32T-39T)

I currently have a PRO CLUTCH KIT 2RZ 1995-2004 (9 1/4") from LCE, I'm not sure if I can use the same.

Any tips for the wiring? I have a stock 2RZ-FE ECU.

Akurasix

So I can keep my current clutch and flywheel.
I have to check the input shaft length, I didn't pay attention to it.
About wiring, it looks like all I need to worry about is the speed sensor and the back-up lamp.

Akurasix

The input shaft of my W56 has the same length of the R156, and as we already know the same spline count of 21.
I will go ahead and buy it.

For reference, the bellhousing part number needed for the swap is 31111-26073, it should be the same as the kit sold by Marlin Crawler.

Akurasix

So it has finally arrived! I bought from amayama.com the 31111-26073 bellhousing, also known as the bellhousing for 2TR-FE engine.
This was my only option as I couldn't find it locally in a junkyard, and here it almost never sells standalone from the transmission.
It's a perfect fit, we will mount it soon and I will update this topic if I encounter with any issues.


R156 with bellhousing



R156 with bellhousing



R156 without bellhousing



31111-26073 bellhousing



R156 bellhousing - W56 bellhousing - 31111-26073 bellhousing



From top to bottom.
31111-26073 bellhousing
W56 bellhousing
R156 bellhousing



R156 bellhousing



W56 bellhousing



31111-26073 bellhousing



31111-26073 bellhousing - W56 bellhousing - R156 bellhousing

Akurasix

Uh oh! I forgot to check output shaft compatibility.

W56 has 21 splines.
R156 has 23 splines.

Since I had a W56, my propeller shaft (driveshaft) also has 21 splines with universal joint part number 37302-35030.



I believe these are my possible solutions.

Number one,
Replace the propeller shaft universal joint for one with 23 splines from the R156 donor 2013 Toyota Hilux (KUN35).

Number two,
Replace the propeller shaft universal joint for one with 23 splines from a production vehicle from the same generation.
Part number is 37302-24010 but it's discontinued and I cannot find it to purchase online, it can be found in vehicles such as 1986-1993 Toyota Supra, 1995-2009 Toyota 4Runner (ATM only) and 1997-2006 Toyota Hilux (ATM only).

Number three,
Replace the transmission output shaft, I'm leaving this option out for now since it's way more complicated.

Number four,
Use a 23 to 21 coupler, this seems to be dangerous.

Akurasix

About the universal joint for the propeller shaft (driveshaft), I have ordered 37302-24010 from megazip.net, they had it in stock.

And now I have encountered another issue related to the shift lever position.

W56 from 2000 TOYOTA HILUX (RZN148L-PRMDK)


R156 (CHILE-SPEC) from 2013 TOYOTA HILUX


R156 (CHILE-SPEC) on a 2000 Hilux.


As you can see the position of the lever is way more closer to the rear, and it requires to cut the chassis so the lever doesn't touches the edge, I want to avoid this.

I have found a possible solution and have bought the parts to test it, the 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA (TRN220L-TRMDKA) uses a R155 transmission, it has the same bolt pattern as R156 (CHILE-SPEC) and very similar internals.
Most importantly, the shift lever position is further to the front just like the W56.



R155 from a 2nd Gen Tacoma found on the internet.



And the internal transmission housing for the shift lever appears to be swappable.

R156 (CHILE-SPEC) transmission housing, shift lever.


R156 shift lever close-up



R155 transmission housing, shift lever (also known as arm).



And now I have to wait for parts to arrive and see if everything works.

Akurasix

37302-24010 from megazip.net has arrived and worked as I expected.

Akurasix

About the shift lever parts from the 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA (TRN220L-TRMDKA).
Those were not in stock in either amayama.com or megazip.net.
Going to just give it a try with the original R156 shift lever housing.

On another note, I just got the short shifter kit from LCE.

Akurasix

About the parts from the 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA (TRN220L-TRMDKA).
I decided to give it a last try by ordering directly from Toyota USA at https://parts.toyota.com.
They had them in stock and took less than 48 hours to ship them! They only ship within USA so I'm glad I have a friend over there who can act as a proxy to ship them to Chile.

I've bought the following parts:
Those are the final parts needed to finish this swap, as soon as I get them I will update again.

Akurasix

Parts arrived, it looks like everything will fit.
Some quick photos for now, progress will start on Monday.

Akurasix

Parts installed successfully! I wasn't able to see the installation myself but the mechanics told me everything was a perfect fit and sent me a picture.
So now I have a 2013 Toyota Hilux R156 with 2011 Toyota Tacoma R155 housing shift lever parts with a short shifter with a 2000 Hilux W56 lever assembly.
Transmission will be probably mounted tomorrow.



This video was used as reference on how to access the shifting linkage.

Akurasix

Mounting went perfect! Road testing in the next days or probably next week.



To the left, R156 with original shift lever (arm) parts. To the right, R156 with R155 shift lever (arm) parts.

Akurasix

Swap is done but there is one remaining issue.
Every gear grinds when shifting, it appears the slave cylinder rod from the W56 is too short for the R156.
It looks like clutch fork is doing only half travel upon inspection.
Tomorrow I will go purchase the slave cylinder (31470-0K030) which is to be used with this transmission and give it a try.

Akurasix

The new slave cylinder (31470-0K030) is now installed, there was some improvement but issues remains.

Current shifting behavior:

• 1st gear, no issues.
• 2nd gear, occasional grinding.
• 3rd gear, always grinding.
• 4th gear, no issues.
• 5th gear, always grinding.
• Reverse gear, occasional "metallic clunk".

We are running out of ideas, I probably purchased a faulty transmission so it will be opened up for inspection (which I really wanted to avoid).
Maybe it's the short shifter? The transmission doesn't likes the new shifting lever arm parts? Any other ideas?

On another unrelated note, I finally was able to test my new hydraulic handbrake (inline setup) and the rear suspension modification my mechanic made to eliminate axle wrap, no more bouncing rear wheels, I can finally drift, still a long way to learn!

Gillrado

Hey mate what gearbox mount did you use for the R156 into the place of W56? I'm in the process of doing the same at Christmas holidays

Akurasix

The only part I needed to adapt the mounting was 31111-26073 bellhousing.

Akurasix

The transmission has been repaired, works like a charm now, perfect shifting.
The swap is now finished.

The following parts were used to repair it:

Marlin Crawler:

• 1x Shift Fork, R-series, 3rd/4th Gear (MCTM-4212K)
• 1x Shift Fork, R-series, 1st/2nd Gear (MCTM-4211K)
• 1x Chromoly R-series Thrust Washer Kit (MCTM-431)
• 1x R-series Heavy Duty Bearing Retainer (MCTM-41421)

WARNING: Shift Fork, R-series, 5th Gear(MCTM-4213K) IS NOT COMPATIBLE!


R156 5th Gear Shift Fork

MCTM-4213K



All State Gear:

• 1x R151 Main Shaft Bearing (031BC05)

123bearing:

• 1x DG4092-A2RKBDNRSH2-C3-KOYO
• 1x 35-BCS34-2MT2N-C3-KOYO

Amayama:

• 1x Toyota 33037-0K050 - RING SET, SYNCHRONIZER, NO.1 (Part number changed. New part number: 3303735030)
• 1x Toyota 33364-0K020 - SLEEVE, TRANSMISSION HUB, NO.2
• 3x Toyota 33366-0K010 - KEY, SYNCHROMESH SHIFTING, NO.2
• 1x Toyota 33368-0K050 - RING, SYNCHRONIZER
• 1x Toyota 33362-0K031 - HUB, TRANSMISSION CLUTCH, NO.2

Megazip:

• 1x Ring Set, Synchronizer, No.1, Toyota 33037-60050
• 1x Ring, Synchronizer, No.2, Toyota 33368-35090
• 3x Spring, Compression, Toyota 90501-08212

Akurasix

An update,
Sometimes I had issues where the transmission was getting engaged even when on neutral when releasing the clutch.
A new mechanic checked on it and found out the clutch release cylinder was working diagonally and the pin was not correctly aligned with the clutch fork.
To fix this he changed the clutch release bearing and the clutch release cylinder to the transmission donor parts, and for the clutch fork he used the W56 one.

Parts used:

• 31230-71011 BEARING ASSY, CLUTCH RELEASE (Bought it new because no longer had it and it is always recommended to use new bearings)
• 31470-0K030 CYLINDER ASSY, CLUTCH RELEASE (Bought it new because my mechanic suggested to do so because of all the stress the current one received)
• 31204-20071 FORK SUB-ASSY, CLUTCH RELEASE (Bought it new because I no longer have the original W56 transmission)