Tk4

[Twister]

Ok so i am going to be swapping in a TK4 from an 84 into my 85 B2. I bought the parts truck from a man in a town an hour away. When it was bout he told me the engine was trashed but the transmission, t-case and axles were good. There was no way for me to test them but i got the truck for cheap.

I have sense pulled the transmission and t-case and am wanting to swap it into my truck. Is there anyway with the transmission sitting on the ground to determine the condition of it? It will shift into all gears, but the shifter is a bit sloppy.

Also what parts, if the transmission is good should i replace. Already on my list it the a clutch kit.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Tony Raine]

drain the oil (check the condition as well)

flip the trans over, take off the bottom plate, and inspect the gears. look for chips, and wiggle stuff around.

a new slave cylinder may be a good idea while you have it apart.

 

[4x4junkie]

What Tony said, plus make sure everything rotates smoothly in all gears.

I would suggest checking the synchros on it as well (if you have a factory manual, I believe it should have the clearance specifications for it, at least mine did for my '94's transmission).

The sloppy shifter is probably just the shifter bushings need replacing.

Do you have the driveshafts from the donor truck? I believe the TK-4 will be shorter than the TK-5 that was probably in your '85.

 

[Twister]

What Tony said, plus make sure everything rotates smoothly in all gears.

I would suggest checking the synchros on it as well (if you have a factory manual, I believe it should have the clearance specifications for it, at least mine did for my '94's transmission).

The sloppy shifter is probably just the shifter bushings need replacing.

Do you have the driveshafts from the donor truck? I believe the TK-4 will be shorter than the TK-5 that was probably in your '85.

i have the whole truck that the tk4 came out of, all of the shafts will be swapped over. After looking at it farther i think it will need a new slave and master cylinder.

Thanks for the replies, i am going to take the bottom off tomorrow and take a look. I had already drained the fluid and it looked like used motor oil.

 

[Tony Raine]

Do you have the driveshafts from the donor truck? I believe the TK-4 will be shorter than the TK-5 that was probably in your '85.

yeah, the tk4 is a good 4 inches shorter than a tk5. i had 2 set side by side once, but i was in a hurry to ship them to 2 different places, so i didn't snap a pic

 

[Twister]

yeah, the tk4 is a good 4 inches shorter than a tk5. i had 2 set side by side once, but i was in a hurry to ship them to 2 different places, so i didn't snap a pic

Oh, i dont have a TK5 i have an a4ld. How does the TK4 compare in length to the a4ld. Am i going to have to drill new holes for the cross member,.

 

[4x4junkie]

If it's 4" shorter than a TK-5, then it's 6" shorter than a A4LD (that's one short tranny lol).

 

[Tony Raine]

yes, the tk4 is damn short. but mine lasted over 300,000 miles, and now lives on in someone else's rig

it was awhile back, but i spent a whole day swapping first a tk4, then a tk5, then an fm146 into a b2 that was originally an a4ld rig ('87)

lets see if i remember this right:

if one rig has a trans crossmember that bolts directly inside the frame, use that.

the "outside the frame" crossmember with the rubber bushings probably wont work with a tk4 because it has to be moved so far forward. it may work with a little modification, but will be more involved than just drilling holes.

the fm and a4ld trans were similar in length. the crossmembers are marked for use in either

tk5 is shorter than the fm

tk4 is shorter than the 5

 

[Twister]

yes, the tk4 is damn short. but mine lasted over 300,000 miles, and now lives on in someone else's rig

it was awhile back, but i spent a whole day swapping first a tk4, then a tk5, then an fm146 into a b2 that was originally an a4ld rig ('87)

lets see if i remember this right:

if one rig has a trans crossmember that bolts directly inside the frame, use that.

the "outside the frame" crossmember with the rubber bushings probably wont work with a tk4 because it has to be moved so far forward. it may work with a little modification, but will be more involved than just drilling holes.

the fm and a4ld trans were similar in length. the crossmembers are marked for use in either

tk5 is shorter than the fm

tk4 is shorter than the 5

Both my a4ld and the tk4 have the cross member without the bushings . Am i going to need to drill holes for the tk4 since it is 6 inches shorter than the a4ld?

 

[dangerranger83]

I will say my tk4 is a hell of a tranny. Has 241,000 miles on it and is still going strong (and sometimes shift with out using the clutch....dont do that im and idiot) plus has the original shifter on it and has very little play to it.

That reminds me.....need to check the transfercase fluid in mine, hasnt been done in the 14 years that the truck has been in the family and my dad doubts that it has ever been checked.

 

[Twister]

It wont stop raining here long enough for me to open it up

 

[dangerranger83]

I found out lastnight trying to show my gf that if you dont use the clutch it will grind gears and wont shift into the nest gear. Didnt get to prove my point to well, I can shift it into the gears without the clutch (going up in gears is easier but going down I have to be creaping.)

I dont recommend doing that though.....

 

[Twister]

Pics!!

Well it stopped raining here long enough for me to pull he t-case apart from the transmission. I pulled the bottom off of the transmission, and took a look inside, the gears all looked good. There were no broken teeth and it all spun smooth.

Here are some pictures

 

[dangerranger83]

To me it looks like a human brain...something I have no clue how to work on but something that I should learn to work on.

 

[Twister]

To me it looks like a human brain...something I have no clue how to work on but something that I should learn to work on.

Honestly i have no clue either

But nothing seemed broken, out of place or worn so i assume it is ok. I am hoping others comments and gives some insight.

Also, anyone have a suggestion on a brand for a Clutch Master Cylinder and Slave cylinder?