Put an Automatic Differential in 1985 Van LE that is Manual?

[Vandude]

What would happen if I put in an Automatic Transmission Rear End into my 1985 LE manual? I'm having trouble locating a manual rear end for my van, but have found an Auto Trans. Would it be ok if I put in the Auto Rear end in my Manual?

[JPERL]

What would happen if I put in an Automatic Transmission Rear End into my 1985 LE manual? I'm having trouble locating a manual rear end for my van, but have found an Auto Trans. Would it be ok if I put in the Auto Rear end in my Manual?

I believe this would work please someone correct me if I am incorrect. Having a manual transmission with a rear-end from an automatic would install with no issues. The gear ratios are different and so this would change your cruising RPM's but just not sure if they would go up or down

[llamavan]

Spouse still has an auto diff in his manual '85 for the same reason.

(1) Your speedo will be off (this can be corrected easily enough with an auto gear subbed for the manual — pick-n-pull time!)
(2) Your van will "get out of the blocks" from a dead stop quicker (good in the city)
(3) Your engine will be revving higher at actual highway speeds (ie, in 5th when you are out of more gear to shift up to), so if you drive in 5th a lot, you will be most likely to notice ...
(4) Your MPG will be negatively affected

Definitely beats having the van parked, especially if you drive in town a lot as opposed to the open road.

Gwen

[Vandude]

Spouse still has an auto diff in his manual '85 for the same reason.

(1) Your speedo will be off (this can be corrected easily enough with an auto gear subbed for the manual — pick-n-pull time!)
(2) Your van will "get out of the blocks" from a dead stop quicker (good in the city)
(3) Your engine will be revving higher at actual highway speeds (ie, in 5th when you are out of more gear to shift up to), so if you drive in 5th a lot, you will be most likely to notice ...
(4) Your MPG will be negatively affected

Definitely beats having the van parked, especially if you drive in town a lot as opposed to the open road.

Gwen

Thanks for the advice. I may have to do this because trying to find an 85 Manual rear end is getting really hard to locate one. Kind of sucks because I do a lot of highway driving :(

[Vandude]

Can I put in a different Rear end from another vehicle on a 85LE Manual? Anyone ever try to use a different rear end of a different vehicle on a toyota van?

[AD2101]

To chime in, just how different are these rear axles from 4runners of the same era? I have an '88 4x4 so obviously large grain of salt, but the rear pinion seal replacement was exactly the same between my van and my '87 4runner, same part number and everything. I know that doesn't mean much but maybe the similarities go deeper?