I have the opportunity to pick up an '88 XT6 that is in great shape, but the only niggling problem is that it has the 4EAT. Besides a manual 5-speed from another XT6*, what other Subes can I grab a manual transmission out of, and what all should I grab?

 

*there is a manual XT6 in my local pick'n'pull; engine gone(?) but tranny for some reason left behind(?). I just don't know how long it'll remain there.

I would grab it if it's easy. It's worth the P-N-P price just for parts even if it needs bearings or something. You probably could also use an RX trans but the ratio would be 3.7 on that and you might need the diff too. Grab the shifter, interior stuff, pedal assembly and clutch cable, ect. The cross member will be useful to someone also even if you don't need it.

The question is, what if that XT6 in the yard is gone before I get to it (should I even acquire the XT6 that is for sale). Will the 5sp D/R from an EA82 bolt up? Those are plentiful in the yard at the moment, and always are.

Pretty sure a DR will physically bolt up but there will be front axle issues if I remember correctly. I think the XT6 Trans has 25 spline stubs and the DR has 23 spline so the inboard XT6 axle joints won't fit the DR as I recall. I don't have an XT6 anymore, sold it. I'd still grab the trans just for parts, but that's just me. I like to mix and match, build custom EA - DR - RX - XT6 trans in different combinations:)

any TURBO transmission is an easy swap due to those having the same axle spline counts on the front. XT6 is a 3.9 final drive, if you get a trans with a 3.7 final drive, just swap the rear diff to match. they're easy, cheap, and plentiful so not a big deal.

 

you can also use a non-turbo transmission if you want to get into swapping a suitable axle. build a fraken-axle by swapping non-turbo DOJ's onto the XT6 shaft so it matches the non-turbo splines.

That's the info I was looking for. There are I think two gl-10 turbo wagons in the yard atm

If the xt trans is still there, that will be the best bet, with the right gearing for the 6 cyl, the right axle splines, the right xt6 trans crossmember, and shifter.

 

The shifter is specific to the xt, and a normal gl shifter will not fit correctly, ans the xt shifter is longer, and the trans tunnel has a lower profile and a flatter angle of attack

 

You will want to grab the center console bits with the diff lock switch, and you also want to get the green vacuum solenoids and all the hoses that operates the diff lock on the trans, if using this xt6 trans, or an rx trans, or any single range pushbutton 4wd 5mt trans

 

You will also need the front half of the driveshaft, but you can get this from any 5mt

 

If you need a flywheel, you can get one from any ea82

 

otherwise, you can use gl trans if you modify or use an xt shifter, and swap on 23 splune axle cups from a 3at turbo, or do impreza axles if you change the inner seal on the knuckle.