buying w85 - how to tell if its in good cond?

[LUXPWR]

Hey fellas like the title says, Im thinking i may need to replace the box in my hilux. There is a guy on boostcruising with one 4 sale for $400. Seems pretty cheap, anyway is there anyway to tell if its good or not when not in the car?

[thechuckster]

-check the oil stuck to the filler plug (for excessive amounts of metal - there will be some)
-rear seal condition
-put into gears and feel for excessive backlash between input & output shaft)
-count input/output ratio on 1st & 5th (to confirm is W58)
-play on shifter bush
-what was it behind (if 2JZ then may have had a hardlife)
-smell the oil (for age or if has been too hot, will smell like burnt diff oil)

[Tweak]

note: a w56 or a w55 will no work in place of a w58

[LUXPWR]

THanks 4 the tips fellas!

[thechuckster]

note: a w56 or a w55 will no work in place of a w58

huh?

W55, W57 or W58 are mostly identical (except for shifter positions) - the differences are noted in this thread.

W56 is a truck gearbox (ratio wise and there can be differences in the rear snout) but will bolt up in place the others mentioned above.