Dog leg FS5W71 short tail 5 speed transmission

Two things, maybe 3....

1/ The 'dog leg' is a shift pattern type with reverse above first and was never available on the FS5W71B. The FS5W71Bs were all H patter shift.

2/ You don't really want a 4x4 'shorty' as there is no speedometer pinion drive in the tail of it because 4x4s were driven from the transfer case. Look for a 2wd 5 speed

3/ I don't know if a shorty was ever available on the L series engine in the 1980 720 but as the front case of the transmission has the bolt pattern that determines what engine it will bolt to, you can swap an earlier 4 or 5 speed front case onto a Z series transmission and convert it to work on an L series engine.

One guy to ask is Charley69 who would know what years and trucks the shorty was used on.

I have one of those in my 521, from what I remember those short 71b transmission came only in 2 year 720s...

It was either 84-85, or 85-86.... 

Phil P 6

Posted October 4, 2021

Sorry to say but those transmissions are hard to come by....

You could do the long tail 71b transmission, you just need to shorten the front part of the driveshaft, they do fit into the 521 so I think you should be able to fit it in the 520, not sure if you can get it in from underneath or not or if it has to go in before or with the motor....

I believe redeye here sells a transmission mount that works for either 5spds and it allows you to use the available rubber mount from the 720....  goodluck 

To use a 'shorty' you'll need a shorty plus the front case from an L series 71B. Easier to just shorten a driveshaft.

Phil P 6

Posted October 4, 2021

The 1980 720 2WD uses the same length 5speed as the 77-83 280Z/280ZX.  I just pulled the L20B, the 5speed & the rear axle out of my 1980 720 2WD parts truck, to install in my 1972 521...........I have not installed it yet.  The 77-83 Z/ZX L series 5speeds will bolt up to any L series 4cyl or 6cyl, but in your case (and mine), they are longer, thus you will need a fab'd trans crossmember & shorten your driveshaft (google local "driveline shops").  Look amongst the Z car guys in your area for a 77-83 5speed.............best to find regionally, cuz shipping them sucks..........big bulky & heavy!  There are three different gear ratio's, but they are all kinda close in ratio's, so not sure I would worry about it.......??

As someone says above, the "shorty" 5speeds came in later 720's, so that trans is gonna have the later NAPZ bellhousing.  It WILL bolt up to the earlier L series, but the "clocking" of the bolt pattern is NOT correct & will tilt the trans way too far (I think to the passenger side??), thus your shift lever is tilted way too far over!  Yes, you can also find a 1972-1978 240Z 260Z 280Z 4speed bellhousing (I usually have, out right now, get $125 + shipping) & swap, but that is just added work/labor..........easy, but 😐  I suppose if you already have a later "shorty" 5speed, find the 4speed bellhousing & go!

Wait a sec!!  If the 5speed "shorty" you already have, came out of a 1980 720 WITH AN L20B, then you don't need to swap the bellhousing.  FYI 1980 was the first year for the 720, the last year for the L20B............1981-up used the NAPZ engine & trans!

Phil P 6

Posted October 4, 2021

The 71Bs are all 31.5" long except the 720 shorty which is 26" long the same as all L16 truck and all  L series 4 cylinder car 4 speeds. Well, all but the 610 (naturally there is always an exception)