VS Gearboxes

[Matt Harper]

Hi All, My son is working on a VS ute before he gets his licence in a year or so. We aren't mechanics but we have a crack. Our problem is the gearbox, I unknowly bought a gearbox today that I thought would suit (8HCD) however what we need is a 6HCD, so I stuffed up a bit, but I thought a VS box would be a VS box. It's a columnshift so from what I've read the full bellhousing doesn't allow it to fit. The ute is 1996. Anyone able to help us with what will and won't work, or anyone with a 6HCD and in need of a 8HCD, I'm your man.

 

[woteva]

Been a couple of years since I looked at these specifically.
The 6 will be a 1996 and 8 will be 1998.
From the VT they changed the bellhousing.
I wonder how they go when installing into a VT ?

 

[iPaint]

My bad, V8, admin delete pls

 

[Matt Harper]

So just to revisit this, we have removed the gearbox that was in the ute it is a 6HDD, from what I've read this is fine with the column auto linkages. We are obviously unsure about the reverse switch arrangement with this setup, there doesn't appear to be any plugs on the gearboxes themselves (both the 6HCD or 6HDD) Can anyone help us with what we are looking for. The car was running and driving fine but with no reverse lights, the previous owner said we'd just need to find or have the 6HCD rebuilt, but this doesn't solve the issue in my mind.

 

[Matt Harper]

Long story even longer, the ute is a 1996 VS ute, that has had a VX motor fitted, it seems to be fine and fitted up well, but we have no reverse lights and a plug above the gearbox that doesn't appear to have a home. I assumed (probably wrongly) this would be a plug for the reverse lights, which don't work. We don't really know what we are doing but we are keen to have a go and learn. If anyone could give us some advice we'd appreciate it.

 

[woteva]

With the VS V6 column shift, there was a switch fitted to the linkage on the trans. There was no extra internal switch.

Will the car start in any gear or only start in Park and Neutral ?

 

[Matt Harper]

With the VS V6 column shift, there was a switch fitted to the linkage on the trans. There was no extra internal switch.

Will the car start in any gear or only start in Park and Neutral ?

It doesn't start in gear. It all seemed to be as per normal, but not fully finished. I'm just assuming they couldn't work out the reverse light issue and left it without.
I have a 6HCD, 6HDD both look identical.

 

[Matt Harper]

I dont see anything to indicate a switch near the linkage on the gearbox

 

[mickgb]

does a vs wagon gearbox fit into my vs ute 95

 

[woteva]

does a vs wagon gearbox fit into my vs ute 95

Yes, straight swap.