oliver2-44 10,893 #1 Posted 9 hours ago Is the 8 speed transmission case the same as the 6 speed case? I have 2 spare 8 Speeds and wondering if I can build a 6 speed without too many replacement parts. No 6 speeds around here so far. A six speed would be nice since its directly interchangeable with some of the 3-4 speed brake linkages and the 953/1054 brake linkage. So I been studying the transmission manual, parts list, pictures and @stevasaurus videos trying to determine if a 8 speed case could become a 6 speed. I know the brakes are on different shafts, but looking at part list drawings and pictures it sure seems the angled brake band mount is the same. I'm thinking they just made the brake band a little different. I would need a couple of different gears, but a lot of them are the same. The bearing holes in the cases look the same best I can tell from pictures. @Racinbob I know you recently had a 6 speed on the bench. If you or anyone have a way to compare the 2 cases, especially the brake band mount and bearing hole sizes I would appreciate any comments you can share. The next question is can an 8 pinion differential be used in place of the Limited Slip Differential. I seem to recall reading it can, but haven't found that info again. I wouldn't mind a LSD, but I already have a good usable 8 speed diff with 1-1/8" axles. Are the 8 speed differential gear to 6 speed brake shaft gear teeth count compatable? I appreciate any info and thoughts ya'll can share. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 10,893 #2 Posted 9 hours ago Doing a little more looking, I see the 5060 parts list show a right case #7066, left case 6941 and the 103916 8 speed shows a right case as 8163 and left case as 6941 So the right case halves have different part numbers and the left case haves have the same part number. They sure look the same in pictures, so what's the difference? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,140 #3 Posted 4 hours ago I've wondered about that a few times but short of actually doing the change it would be nearly impossible to know for sure. Having one of each open at the same time would help. I think the cases will interchange. The obvious would be bearing changes and different shafts. The 8 speeds use a brake rod that goes over the top of the drum and has a dogleg in it. The 6 speed rod is straight and shorter. The brake bands are reversed but it might be possible to interchange. As far as the case part #'s often times Wheel Horse changed something insignificant that really doesn't affect interchangeability. I'm thinking it's possible to change an entire 8 speed for a 6 speed with nothing more than some simple linkage changes. But again.........I haven't actually done it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 9,821 #4 Posted 3 hours ago Having done an 8 speed swap on my 854 years ago, this much comes to mind. The 6 speed is a simpler swap, the input shaft & pulley are the same, externally, as the 4 speed. The brake & parking brake are in the same location. Ask @Handy Don. The 8 speed is the opposite on these two items - the input shaft is 5/8", not 3/4". This nesessitates a special new pulley. The brake band mounting is reversed - the action of the rod goes from push to pull. I used a Raider style ros for this. I did not bother to try to come up with a solution to the parking brake, as 1st in low range is about as good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 74,034 #5 Posted 3 hours ago 1 hour ago, Racinbob said: it's possible to change an entire 8 speed for a 6 speed with nothing more than some simple linkage changes. I believe that's true. I've had a 12?7 here in the past that was changed to a 8 by a PO. I gave up on that because of the linkage and EATING belts. But I digress..... 6 hours ago, oliver2-44 said: anyone have a way to compare the 2 cases, I could do that Saturday. I have a 6 speed disassembled on the shelf. Maybe an 8 too but that could happen anyway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 12,140 #6 Posted 22 minutes ago 2 hours ago, ri702bill said: The 8 speed is the opposite on these two items - the input shaft is 5/8", not 3/4". This nesessitates a special new pulley. The brake band mounting is reversed - the action of the rod goes from push to pull. I used a Raider style ros for this. I did not bother to try to come up with a solution to the parking brake, as 1st in low range is about as good. Actually both pull the brake band tight to the drum. The 8 from over the top, the 6 from below. The 4 to a 6 swap is pretty simple. Of course provisions will have to be made for the hi/low shifter which will vary by tractor model. A 3 or 8 to a 6 requires the linkage changes but I don't see that as an issue. I thought about putting the 6 in the Reborn B-80 just for the limited slip but I decided not to. I'm thinking a young fella is going to do the 854 swap thing with it. Don't know for sure. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 74,034 #7 Posted 18 minutes ago 3 minutes ago, Racinbob said: . The 4 to a 6 swap is pretty simple. Of course provisions will have to be made for the hi/low shifter which will vary by tractor model. A 3 or 8 to a 6 requires You're headed down the right road but the numbers are reversed a little. Three and six are compatible. Direct bolt in. Four and eight are compatible. Direct bolt in. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 61,391 #8 Posted 4 minutes ago I did the six speed in a 953 swap about twenty years ago. Two of the mounting holes did not line up so one hole in the plate had to be elongated slightly and the other hole I drilled and tapped into the transaxle case. I used the 953 differential and axles in the six speed. To use the ten pinion you would need a pair of GT-14 axles or have a machinist cut a snap ring grove into the axles because of the tight clearance in the area of the limited slip spring. I have not looked into the eight pinion but there may be enough clearance inside to use the roll pins to retain the axles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites