which truck to put 13BT into

rutbeer · 09-20-05, 07:38 PM

I'm sure this will get a mixed bag of responses.....

I have two bone stock rigs, both in great shape and running. I bought a 13BT w/5 spd , PTO, and cable lockers to put in my 74V8j40. Problem is that I sold that truck before I received the diesel motor and bought this sweet 78fj40. So, do I put the 13BT and axles in the 78 california spec fj40 or the nearly pristine 66 FJ45? Neither truck will see heavy wheeling, but I do take the 40 out some to Tellico and Uhwarrie.

Both seem to be a crying shame to modify, but I'm also excited about the diesel and cable lockers.

Now, I won't start this project until the winter, so I have plenty of time to think it over.

crushers · 09-20-05, 07:43 PM

no brainer,
go with dieseling the 45, that will make it a pleasure to drive and much mor epracticle than the 40...
cheers

rutbeer · 09-20-05, 07:44 PM

Would you split it up then and put the cable lockers in the 40 since it's lightly wheeled or just go ahead and take the 45 to the max?

crustyBJ60 · 09-20-05, 07:47 PM

there are soooo few nice stock 45's around. if it's as nice as the pics, just leave it.

put the diesel in what ever you will drive the most. ie: the 40

that's what i'd do. but what the hell do i know!

crusty

crushers · 09-20-05, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rutbeer

Would you split it up then and put the cable lockers in the 40 since it's lightly wheeled or just go ahead and take the 45 to the max?

i would stick the entire drivetrain under the 45 since it will fetch the best dollar down the road.
i do agree with crusty though the 45 is a rare beast in really nice shape but the parts are getting harder and harder to find to rebuild the brakes and clutch and axles so if you will be needing to upgrade anyway might as well go with the best milage and once you go diesel you won't go back...
cheers

rutbeer · 09-20-05, 08:04 PM

The true no-brainer was taking the piece of crap V8 out of the solid bodied 74....I have been truly wrestling with this since I sold it and realized what I had with the two stockers. The 78 has a valve guide leak, manifold leak, and the tranny doesn't shift nearly as smooth as the fj60 I had, but it starts every time, doesn't complain, doesn't dictate a motor removal, and holds it's value as it is. You don't even see that many solid stock 40 anymore either.

You are right that the 45 brakes suck....big pita. And as cool as the column shifter is, it certainly has it's limitations.....but it's a step back in time. I've never driven anything like it.

Honestly, if the conversion was done right and made to "look" factory, I think either would hold their value pretty well. 10 years down the road, maybe not, but now, probably. Regardless, I tend to do either conversion so that it could be "undone" in the future. Everything I ever do is bolt on modification so that if I change my mind, you won't know it was there. I fabricate brackets and what not, but try not to even drill holes.....I'm kind of weird that way.

Radd Cruisers · 09-20-05, 08:48 PM

Tough decision, prolly go with the one you are planning on driving the most.

Sounds like that would be the 40 and then pop in those cable locked axles, I assume they are out of a 7 series?

If so you get a little added width for stability.

Either truck will rock with that little brute of a power plant.

Guessing you have vacume shit on the transfercase? If so you will have to loose it or notch the frame for either vehicle install.

Edit, also to mention split the tranny from the engine and make sure the pressure plate is not stuck to the flywheel if it has sat for some time in Japan outside. I learned this one the hard way after it was in the truck.

Rob

lowenbrau · 09-20-05, 09:21 PM

I think you are going to be happy what ever you do.

I'm pretty sure adding the 13BT will increase the value of either. The purists will cringe if it goes into the 45 but the market will pay more for the the rig with it in.

Being one who appreciates purists but modifies nearly everything I'd recommend putting the diesel in the 40 in spite of agreeing with most of what crushers said and the only reason is the wheeling. I'm sure you're going to take whatever rig gets the diesel further than you ever would previously for events etc. My GF and I think nothing of jumping in her 13BT powered 40 series for a thousand mile trip. The 13BT makes the wheeling even more fun once we get there. If that powerplant was in the 45 its inevitable that its going to see rock rash sooner than later. Its easier to avoid in the 40 and easier to fix.

I have to say, however, a 13BT in a 45 would be ultra cool. Rob got me thinking about the vac shifter... the 45 would have had it stock. Stratospheric super coolness would be achieved if you and 66LWB45 got together and figured out how to column shift an h55f.

Technikev · 09-20-05, 09:22 PM

Oh, to have this problem... Um, so where should I put my new 13BT and cable locking axles, in my good looking 40, or my minty 45? Golly, whatever should I do? 8-)

If it were me I'd put it in the 45, but it would prolly be the smart choice to transplant into the one likely used the most.

-Kevin

canadian bum · 09-20-05, 09:58 PM

Put it in the 40 and find a 6 cylinder for the 45.

Radd Cruisers · 09-20-05, 10:37 PM

Not sure if this picture shows how close the tranny is to the frame, but its close.

canadian bum · 09-20-05, 10:40 PM

Is that the 6 cylinder? It is not a 13BT I have that figurd out.

Radd Cruisers · 09-20-05, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadian bum

Is that the 6 cylinder? It is not a 13BT I have that figurd out.

You got it Pontiac......

So you can see how much room there would be with a 13BT.

Forgo the battery tray on the passenger side as it did not allow enough room with the 1HZ for a factory type air cleaner.

With the 13BT, (which I am not familiar with) the air cleaner turns a 90 degree elbow and down. Might be a good fit even with the battery tray.

Rob

canadian bum · 09-20-05, 11:02 PM

I think that the 13 BT will fit fine. I wonder how much room you would have with a 1HD T. Yours doesn't look to bad.

crushers · 09-21-05, 02:56 AM

the 40/42 series did come with a vacumm t/case and you could move the tranny mount over an inch or more to clear the vacumm OR you could buy the front half of a manual t/case and r&r that part in for a very clean install.
these are just a suggestion of course...

roscoFJ73 · 09-21-05, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

You got it Pontiac......

So you can see how much room there would be with a 13BT.

Forgo the battery tray on the passenger side as it did not allow enough room with the 1HZ for a factory type air cleaner.

With the 13BT, (which I am not familiar with) the air cleaner turns a 90 degree elbow and down. Might be a good fit even with the battery tray.

Rob

Rob ,where did you finally put the vac canister for the brake booster.

Did your 1HZ have a vac line attached to the water pump?
Just curious as the vac line attached to the water pump is not mentioned in my manuals but thats how they go.(1HZ 0nly)

Rutbeer ,they are both gonna end up diesls,so whats it matter which is 1st

tlcruiserman · 09-21-05, 02:31 PM

Hey Guys,

I have a simular question. I just picked up a short box 64' FJ45, it is minus the original F motor and comes with a Chevy V8, drivetrain and dana rear axle as well as the original. I am thinking about putting in the drivetrain from one of my 70 series that I just parted out. the usually 3B, H55F. So my question is this, should I stick with the 3B or think about something more like a 1HD-T or maybe (dare I say it) a Cummins 4B.

On another note might be useful for some of you out there. SOR it going to start selling half cut of 40's and 45's with Diesel engines. Currently they do half cuts with 60's and 80's but there is a demand for the 4x series.

Cheers,

Michael

crushers · 09-21-05, 02:35 PM

a HDT would be hot...

rutbeer · 09-21-05, 03:06 PM

Funny you should mention dieseling both. I also have a 1HZ w/5spd, but my current plan is to sell that one and just stick with the 4 banger turbo.

I have also thought about the vacuum shifting transfer in the 45, and without actually looking at it, I bet you could hook up a mechanism to retain it. The split case vacuum unit is said to be too wide, but I bet you could rig something up to combine the two. I've heard people talk about tweaking a column shifter to work a 4spd, but talk is all it was....I have yet to see a pic.

Radd Cruisers · 09-21-05, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushers

the 40/42 series did come with a vacumm t/case and you could move the tranny mount over an inch or more to clear the vacumm OR you could buy the front half of a manual t/case and r&r that part in for a very clean install.
these are just a suggestion of course...

You would need more like 3 inches over on the frame, I could not make it fit without cutting into the frame.

You made me go crawl under it with my good cloths on(actually I had to know).

Exactly 1.25inches of space on PTO side, with less than 1 inch on vacume side.

Maybe the older style transfercase was physically a tad smaller or the vacume setup was different.

So as for a newer split case assembly it would not fit.

Rob

Radd Cruisers · 09-21-05, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

Rob ,where did you finally put the vac canister for the brake booster.

Did your 1HZ have a vac line attached to the water pump?
Just curious as the vac line attached to the water pump is not mentioned in my manuals but thats how they go.(1HZ 0nly)

Rutbeer ,they are both gonna end up diesls,so whats it matter which is 1st

Been driving it with only vacume being made without canister and I have had no problem.

I was thinking of adding one, so far I have pumped the brakes several times to see if it gets hard to brake but it does not change.

Rob

Radd Cruisers · 09-21-05, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushers

a HDT would be hot...

Oh ya baby, that would be the shizzzzz.

After driving down the highway in my 81 today and feeling the acceleration from 40km to 140, its awsome.

I am going to go have a little race with my buddy in his 1995 FZJ80, pretty confident I will kick is butt.

crushers · 09-21-05, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

You would need more like 3 inches over on the frame, I could not make it fit without cutting into the frame.

You made me go crawl under it with my good cloths on(actually I had to know).

Exactly 1.25inches of space on PTO side, with less than 1 inch on vacume side.

Maybe the older style transfercase was physically a tad smaller or the vacume setup was different.

So as for a newer split case assembly it would not fit.

Rob

since this is the case then i would STRONGLY suggest finding a proper manual front half case and linkage...
i wonder what the JDM 83-84 BJ42/46 has in the frame... they came with vacumm actuated split t/case and optional PTO...

Radd Cruisers · 09-21-05, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushers

since this is the case then i would STRONGLY suggest finding a proper manual front half case and linkage...
i wonder what the JDM 83-84 BJ42/46 has in the frame... they came with vacumm actuated split t/case and optional PTO...

Hmmmm, food for thought.

I did not know that, maybe it was mounted more forward????

Cause I quarrantee you we had the engine/ tranny lowered into the frame with no body and it was not going to fit.

And yes I would definitly get a factory manual shifter for the t-case. We gave it our best to build linkage etc for the case, its working flawlessly but as mentioned by Wayne it may wear the shift color or fork out.

Or not, time till tell as we only have around 1000KM on it.

Rob

Satamax · 09-22-05, 06:28 AM

hi everybody!

Well, put that damn motor in the 40, beter inter wheels angle, better rear angle, that 13BT with the lockers in the 40 would be an amazing rig, that would call for SOA too!

Best regards.

Max.

rutbeer · 09-29-05, 08:26 PM

No spring over. I want it to look like it might have come from the factory that way. If you spring, then you have to put huge tires on to make it look right. I run 33x9.50 on the street and 34x10.50 on the trail....that' sabout as large as I want to go.

89GASHOG · 09-29-05, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcruiserman

Hey Guys,

I have a simular question. I just picked up a short box 64' FJ45, it is minus the original F motor and comes with a Chevy V8, drivetrain and dana rear axle as well as the original. I am thinking about putting in the drivetrain from one of my 70 series that I just parted out. the usually 3B, H55F. So my question is this, should I stick with the 3B or think about something more like a 1HD-T or maybe (dare I say it) a Cummins 4B.

Michael

I think you should put the 3B in the FJ45, and Rutbeer should put his diesel in the 40.

rutbeer · 12-06-05, 08:11 PM

Hey, looking at the 70 axles, the perches seem kind of high. In the process of grinding/cutting them off to relocate, is there any reason not to lower them a bit? The only one that might be an issue is the front on the diff side. Lowering the perches, assuming you can, would give you a very small increase in lift, no?

Tapage · 12-07-05, 10:08 AM

But is a little bit .. I thought a good upgrade in spreng section are up flip kit from MAF ..

wesintl · 12-07-05, 10:34 AM

My vote would be for the 40 and 3bt.. It's nice to keep a clean stock 45 that way