mark's 5 speed no longer available

npca-richard · Post by **npca-richard** » Wed Feb 07, 2001 3:54 am

All, I can also vouch for the benefits of installing a Mark's 5 spd box. I was lucky enough to buy a second hand box from a wrecker for $1500 AUS. It cost me a further $1500 AUS to have it installed by a mechanic. I'll have to dig through my receipts but there were issues associated with the lengthening of one driveshaft and also some machining down of a clutch ??spiggot bearing. The mechanic told me that without this the clutch life would have been reduced (like I said I will refer to my receipts so that I can be more specific). Installation aside the transformation in the performance of the Truck has been significant. As mentioned previously they are able to cruise at 100-120 km/h instead of topping out at 80-90 km/h. The lower first gear is brilliant. I can now head down steep descents at a crawl. I don't have to ride the clutch so much and enjoy the greater flexibility the extra gears have to offer. A for fuel economy...................At 98c plus per litre I don't even like to think about that phrase. I just fill up the tank and have fun. However if you can have an engine revving less it will use less fuel. If enough of you guys can get together and have another run of these boxes produced I'm sure you will be happy. Richard

npca-vbt3 · Post by **npca-vbt3** » Wed Feb 14, 2001 8:15 pm

Hey, I have been interested in a 5-spd tranny ever since I bought my '66 patrol in Yakima, Wasington and drove it back home to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The price would definitely have to approach 2k US to make it possible. I don't get to check the message board that often though so someone e-mail me @ vbthompson@netzero.net and let me know the status on the deal with Marks. Thanks, Tre' Thompson

npca-strausz · Post by **npca-strausz** » Thu Feb 15, 2001 1:42 am

Well folks, I am sorry to have gotten you hopes up on this issue, but it looks like its not gonna happen. Here is what Mark's replied to me after the last message: DavidThanks for your reply, but we will be unable to manufacture these as we cannot source the boxes anymore to make these.RegardsNathan Not really good news at all. I'm sure that I could have gotten 5 of you together to make it happen too! Man I a so bummed. I guess I will just have to learn how to be a machinist and make my own 5 speed kit. How hard can it be anyhow.

I am really sorry If I got anyones hopes up. I really thought it would happen. Oh, well it was worth the try. David

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Thu Feb 15, 2001 10:44 pm

Testing to see if I get posted.

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Thu Feb 15, 2001 10:47 pm

Here's a thought. If the Chevrolet 292 will bolt to the Patrol transmission what is to stop a chev 4 speed (re 292) from bolting to the Patrol engine?

npca-aussie · Post by **npca-aussie** » Thu Feb 15, 2001 11:00 pm

The 5 speed Mark's used was out of a Nissan Caball truck. I must admit that they are hard to find as well but if Mark's still have the bell housings you maybe able to source a tranny. Try a UD dealer as UD is the heavy truck line for Nissan much like Fuso is for Mitsubishi. Darren.

npca-richard · Post by **npca-richard** » Tue Feb 20, 2001 5:59 am

Aussie, I thought that the mark's gearbox casing was made by "mark's" and used toyota dyna internals. What ever the make up, itis a pity that they don't seem keen to manufacture any more of them. Richard