I am looking for a working 1990 AWD manual trans. After searching online, I find that all the wrecking yards believe there are 20, 21 or 23 spline trans, no 22 spline. Therefore, these (22 spline) do not exist in their inventory systems.
Has anyone else run into this problem? What should I ask for from the parts guys?

Cheap

I would ask them to count the splines and see for themselves before you buy.

It goes by our interchange system. It won't ask you for 22 spline since I believe that started with the 2g autos around late 94. I work at a salvage yard and sometimes the system is very frustrating.. it'll ask spline count instead of auto or manual.

So, I called the wrecking yard, and the guy was just looking at the computer system. It tells him there is no 22 spline. He tells me there is no 22 spline. He would not help me until I acknowledged that what I needed doesn't exist. I counted splines and got 22.

Am I crazy? Or am I right about there only being a 22 or 23 spline?

From my reading 1990 and early '91's have 22, later '91's thru '94 have 23. This all applies to manual trans, not auto.

Only 22 and 23.

I'll give you a screenshot of what I have to deal with on a day to day basis with some of you mfers. I'll get back to you thursday

Oh. to be clear - I'm not saying you're wrong by any means, you or Nick. I just remember when I looked it up it was asking me stupid questions too. I just want to show you what I see on my screen trying to get people the right parts sometimes.

We don't wunna hear your crap, pal.

1990 - 22 spline AWD output shaft
1991-99 - 23 spline AWD output shaft
The shafts are interchangeable when you use the corresponding transfer case.
The deal with having a 1990 is it has a different shift assembly both on the trans and at the shifter IIRC.
All I have are 90s so I don't have another trans to compair to.
@twicks69 can clear that up I bet!!!

Car-Part.com is a good place to look it up yourself.

Although they list 20, 21 and 22 spline cases you can just match the appropriate year.

Car-part is where I was looking for trans. That site also says that there is 20, 21, or 23. All (or most) of the available trans say verify splines.

Only 22 and 23 in these dsms.

Well. According to my CANADIAN system. you're all a bunch of liars. also bear in mind your average salvage yard employee is not dsm savy. nor does he care to be.

This is the screen I get when I look it up for a 90. I cannot go any further with any interchange until I pick one.. which if you're guessing would net you the wrong one.

Not saying any such animal exists. but.. that question alone is enough to lock up 98% of people who answer phones at a junkyard.

Welp, found a used one off Facebook, so this is resolved, sorta.

Check the casting number where I am pointing at.
A 1990, 22 spline should have the letters NPZS as a ending to the W5M33 letters.....