Colorado gearbox into 3rd gen?

[Diamond Dave]

First post! Have been looking at this forum for a long time, just have a question now that I can't find an answer to and hoping someone on here might know!

I had a 2.4 surf a few years back and had to sell it. Now I want another one. I was initially looking at 2nd gens again but have now swayed to the 3rd gen variety, problem is, I am not a fan of automatics...

In Ireland there is any amount of Colorado's being broke, and usually all manual. 3rd gen surfs in manual are a very rare thing I've discovered! There was one advertised for sale a while back but I wasn't quick enough, she was pretty rough too but was manual..

So my question is, will a manual box from a Colorado fit into a surf? Same engines, so bolting up, clutch etc should all be the same / interchangeable... Anybody seen one side by side and can say nope, the cruiser box is far bigger, won't fit etc. I know the surf is 2 wheel drive selectable to 4 and the Colorado permanent, but surely this is the transfer box's fault?
The likes of the pedal box, wiring etc is no biggy, have a lot of mechanics in the family!
If I could just go and buy a manual surf I would, save the hassle but I've seen one in about 2 years of off and on looking. I can buy an auto surf tomorrow and lift a manual Colorado box on the way home so if it's possible that's surely the way to go. Access to a full manual Colorado would be no probs, but a manual surf nope so all parts to make it work really must come from a Colorado if at all possible. Doesn't need to be pretty...
Thanks.

[The Boo Crew]

I don't see any reason for a Colorado box not fitting, as you say the colly is full time 4wd I dont think the surf transfer will fit so you would have to use the LC one and most likely the props as well due to differences in length. As far as pedals are concerned the LC ones will most likely fit, if not mk4 or 5 hilux?. The only other consideration is you might need the lc engine ecu as the surf auto ecu talks to the auto gearbox.

Hope these thoughts help, but alas I don't have a definitive answer.

[Bogus]

Alternately you could seek therapy and try to get over your completely irrational phobia about autos, it will probably work out cheaper.

[The Boo Crew]

I must admit I like my autos and wouldn't want to change a clutch on any 4x4. I'm with Bogus why give yourself the hassle?

[Diezel Weazel]

Had a LN130 manual 7 n a bit years n loved it, but the last 9+ years an Auto KZN130 fits the bill exactly in ya later years especially !!

16+ Years of Surfs, 9 years on Spotless she ain't but Faultless to a "T" is my KZN 130 Yota !!

[tweak'e]

one of the biggest problems is finding a bell housing.
i don't know what vehicle your Colorado is. land cruiser runs the same gearbox but i think input and output shafts are different.

you might as well just import a complete drivline in.

however if you have the gear to custom make stuff then you could make adapters regardless of gearbox.

i would just stick with the auto. manualise it if you want to get rid of the ecu.

[tashtego]

I also think you are better off keeping the auto and saving yourself the hassle. Especially if you drive on snow, mud or sand , the multimode and auto work together like a treat, way better than these new fangled 'intelligent' 4x4 systems...
Cheers