[Chester]

Hello, my vitara's 3speed auto is on it's way out, its getting very clunky, as i am wanting to build a touring rig, what could i replace the 3speed with?
It's a 8v carbi engine, and i have another vit has the engine and manual box out.
I would like some help on what my options are, could i replace the 3speed auto with a 4speed? or should i just swap it to a manual? Or something else?

Thank's

[SierraDan]

Best options for you are to get a new 3spd or put the manual in(bigger job)

[Gwagensteve]

It's not expensive to get the three speed rebuilt - it's only a trimatic. It's a good opportunity to upgrade some items to improve performance and longevity like the 1-2 seal. It's far easier than converting to another gearbox.

Swapping a manual in is quite possible, and if you're into touring it's probably a better option, but it's quite a big job - cutting the tunnel for the shifter, swapping the pedal box, and AFAIK the auto actually uses a different carby, and whilst I'm sure it will work with a manual, the throttle cable arrangement is different. I have swapped a three speed auto into a manual vitara, so I know it's possible, but the end result wasn't quite as neat as factory car. I think it might be a little bit harder to go the other way though - for instance, I don't know if the holes are on the firewall for the clutch cable, you'll need the clutch retaining brackets on the engine mounts etc.

It's not really feasible to replace the three speed auto with a 4 speed - you'd need pretty much everything from an EFI vitara - engine/gearbox/loom/driveshafts/crossmember, it would be far easier to just buy an EFI vitara.

Steve.

[joeblow]

And everyone forgets the biggest issue............the diff gears!

[atari4x4]

am i right in thinking the carby SWB auto had 4.6's? bunging in some 5.1's would liven it up a bit.

[Gwagensteve]

Spot on. Not as tops the other way around though.

Steve.

[Chester]

Ive decided getting the 3speed rebuilt is my best option for now, and was thinking to get some transfer case gears put in at the same time, ive looked at Calmini and LRO sites, and there's only 4.24:1 gear's, is there any other better ones out there?

[shandy92]

they are the only gearing available for the transfer case, what size tires are you running? these gears are not really suitable for much below a 31"

[Chester]

I was going to run 30" A/T or M/T's on just a normal 15inch sunraysia style rim with Calmini's 3inch lift, as i am still building this rig, i havent decided on what tire's i will be running.

[fritter]

Make sure you get a few quotes for the rebuild.
I got a number of quotes to rebuild my TH-180 that varied from $600 + parts to $2400 + parts!