From what I've heard there are three ea81 4x4 trannies, right? 4spd DR, auto SR, and 4(5?)spd SR, correct?

Bassically, there were three. The single range was a 4-speed and it was lever not pushbutton activated. The DR 4-speed had the gearing for 3rd and 4th change for better economy starting in 83.

tommorrow I'm getting hold of a guy with an 83 gl 4x4 wagon, for 500 cdn, apparently has "little rust", and needs a cv (probably 2) I think that if it is as described here, and a dual range I'll go for it, if it is a 4spd SR, and the car is actually pretty good, I might go for a 5spd DR swap. Sound like an OK price to you guys? I'm sure the prices are a bit different on Vanc. Island though (higher) I'm in a hurry to get a sube and fix whatever is wrong with it before summer holidays end, so that I can feel like I actually did something with my summer .

It's most likely a D/R since I think all GL models from 83 on up had the D/R. Not a bad price - not cheap tho for a wagon. If it's really beutiful, and low miles, then it might be worth it. Pretty spendy by Northwest standards, but maybe not for where you are.

 

And if it's the single range - forget it.

 

GD

That's not a bad price since $500CAD is about $355USD at the current exchange rate