Just finished my tranny swap

doctorjj · 03-10-07, 09:18 PM

Well, I just finished changing out the transmission on my '89 FJ62. No, I didn't swap to a manual. I just changed to another A440F. My old tranny was working okay, but when it got warm it would slip just a touch on the 2-3 shift. I wanted to be proactive and get it fixed before it left me stranded. I had already tried all the tricks I could think of, changed the filter, fluid flush, adjusted the throttle cable, etc, etc. Nothing got rid of it completely. I guess that's what 305,000 miles does to a tranny.

Anyway, I found a transmission and transfer case together out of a rig with 73,000 miles. Bought it for $750. Took me about 5 half days to do it. I went ahead and changed the main bearings and the rear main seal while I was at it.

Went for the first test drive tonight. Shifts nice and firm. No hesitations, no slips. Transfer case engages quickly and easily and works great. Seems like it might turn out to be a bargain.

If anyone has any questions about how to do this job, let me know. I should be able to explain any aspect of it. Sorry, no pics this time. Too messy.

lathrop · 03-11-07, 02:36 PM

cool. That should help folks in the future. The tags help

cajun65 · 03-11-07, 08:24 PM

305K on that old unit is pretty awesome, I gotta say.

Congrats on a successful swap. Mine started to die at around 177K and will get rebuilt this week finally. I did the fluid dump and replaced the filter but the other day a transmission mechanic told me that's the worst thing you can do. Any idea why he'd say that? I thought I did a pretty good job. I blame age and the PO for my tranny problems.

Anyway, enough of a hijack. Keep us posted on this. I hope your hard work pays off for many, many miles!

doctorjj · 03-11-07, 08:32 PM

Thanks. I hope it pays off, too. It really wasn't that bad of a project. Took probably 8-10 working hours. I did it in a week working a few hours here and there.

As for the fluid dump, I've heard that sometimes the increased friction that you have with old fluid, that has all the contaminants in it (metal shavings, clutch wear particles, etc) actually helps an old tranny grip and prevents it from slipping. If you flush the fluid then it can make it worse. I suppose my thinking is, if that's all that's making it work then it's pretty well done, anyway.

If this tranny actually had only 73K on it like they claimed and it lasts me another 230K miles

then I think it will be a bargain at the price of $750.

Who is rebuilding your tranny, cajun?

doctorjj · 03-11-07, 08:33 PM

BTW, this is the first major thing I've had to do to the rig. Other than this it's had one water pump and a lot of oil changes. Still original engine, diffs, etc.

cajun65 · 03-11-07, 08:35 PM

A local shop here in town. I shopped around - there are some really good ones around here. The deal breaker was that the manager of this one was former college football teammate of mine and I knew he's look out for my rig.

doctorjj · 03-11-07, 08:41 PM

Well, from what I have heard, I would probably spring for the Extreme Valve Body from Rodney if I had the cash. I would make sure they rebuild the valve body, too and make sure all the springs are in spec. Once you get it back, make SURE that the lock up is working. I've read that can be the cause of a lot of failures on rebuilds.