73 3 Speed Upgrade Help (2 Viewers)

[jgray]

I have a 73 FJ40 that is far from stock but still has the stock 3 speed transfer case and 3 speed transmission. I have read a lot of FAQ posts and am currently planning my tranny / tranfer case upgrade. I will list some relevant upgrades I have as I am looking for opinions or people with similar setups as I am running...

I have a 2F engine, SOA w 37" tires, front disc brake conversion, saginaw power steering conversion crossover high steer, rear is locked up via welded spider gears (will change to selectable ARB eventually), front lockrite locker, appx 100" wheelbase, custom 1/4" wall long slip drivelines and a bunch of other stuff probably not important to this post... oh yeah new clutch also

The 3 speed seems like my next logical upgrade but the combinations out there make it tough to decide on which route to go. I am also on a budget but I'd like to do this right and may collect the parts I need if I can't afford to get everything at one time. I would also like to be able to periodically drive this down to the beach which would sometimes be a couple hours of road driving and occasionally to work, etc. I will also be towing this when we do trail trips as most good trails are several hours from where I live.

So far I've been considering the following transmissions: H41, H42, H55 with a split transfer case or possibly a SM465 with stock 3 speed case or orion tcase. I have read many posts and I'm almost more confused than when I started looking into this. Any opinions out there? What is the ideal setup for my project? What would be the least expensive / cheapest way to dump this 3 speed tranny and upgrade?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

You've built an offroader so what you need is real gearing.

Best bang for your buck is SM420 or SM465 and retain the 3 speed case. Then later you can upgrade to an Orion if you feel the need. I'll bet you could find an SM420 for $50 if you scour the local yards.

While the H41 and H42 transmissions are nice, they don't have super deep gearing.

An H55 has the same low gear as an H41, so would only be better on the highway. Since you don't want to make an SOA rig go all that fast, especially with a welded rear, the H55 would kind of be a waste.

 

[jgray]

Someone local has a 4wd sm465 with 10 spline input shaft listed for $175... Is this worth picking up... My 73 3 speed is 10 spline so I guess I'd need the correct adapters... I have the AA catalogs and I've read Treeroot's SM465 post several times...

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Someone local has a 4wd sm465 with 10 spline input shaft listed for $175... Is this worth picking up... My 73 3 speed is 10 spline so I guess I'd need the correct adapters... I have the AA catalogs and I've read Treeroot's SM465 post several times...

Very worth picking up, but check the condition of the splines. They tend to be boogered up. If it spins smooth and the output shaft is OK, the price would be fine.

The 35 spline version is cheaper, but if you need to swap in a new mainshaft anyway, then you can go that route.

The AA adapter for SM420 is kind of long. Look at a plate adapter.

 

[jgray]

Thanks for the advice Cruiserdrew. I was kinda leaning towards the SM465 conversion but I had someone else recommend a 5 speed toyota tranny with split case. I am putting a parts list together for the SM465 conversion to make sure I have all my items in order.

 

[Seth_O]

Thanks for the advice Cruiserdrew. I was kinda leaning towards the SM465 conversion but I had someone else recommend a 5 speed toyota tranny with split case. I am putting a parts list together for the SM465 conversion to make sure I have all my items in order.

I have an SM465 + NP203 + LC 3spd t-case, and it's deeeeep gearing. If you do the tough stuff that combo is good for the number of gearing options while maintaining streetability. HOWEVER, it ultimately wasn't cheap to do (I dropped probably $1000 on it all told, and I got the tranny for free).

I like the SM465 but I never use first gear on the street, it seems slow to shift and it feels like a big jump between 2nd and 3rd gear. Since fourth gear is 1:1 (same as the LC 3 spd) your improvements are synchro's and deeper gearing.

 

[jgray]

I knew it would not end up being cheap and I'm not sure I am going to do the install myself yet. I know I already need the following:

AA Part # 50-4601 list price $517
AA Part # 712519 list price $186
SM465 (local seller) $175

Just those pieces alone come to $878 and I'm sure I'll need a few more things...

I guess once I added it all up I was wondering if this was the best route to go... I am more setup for trail riding but I would also like to be able to cruiser at 55 on the highway when needed. I also wanted to keep my 2F engine and a mostly Toyota rig at least where it makes the most sense.

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

I have a SM465/3spd that I put in about a year ago and absolutely love it.

With that said, I would recommend listing the Pros & Cons of an SM465 & a H41 from SOR or Cruiserparts.net to go with your 3spd. The H41 is not as low as theSM465 but it’s still a HUDGE improvement on the lower gears. Like someone mentioned above. You can always upgrade to an Orion later.

http://www.root45.com/SM465Orion/Gears.htm

The H41 is a bolt in solution where there are a lot of Mods for the SM465. Drilling/tapping output shaft, Nose Cone, shift linkages, tranny hump, support bar, Adapter plate..etc. I found this stuff added up pretty quick.

Just something to think about. Knowing that you’re a flatlander I’m guessing you have to travel pretty far to get into any rocks (Uwarrie??).

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

I knew it would not end up being cheap and I'm not sure I am going to do the install myself yet. I know I already need the following:

AA Part # 50-4601 list price $517
AA Part # 712519 list price $186
SM465 (local seller) $175

Just those pieces alone come to $878 and I'm sure I'll need a few more things....

You might try searching /contacting mtweller about a plate adapter. He fabbed his own and he might not be to far from you.

I guess once I added it all up I was wondering if this was the best route to go... I am more setup for trail riding but I would also like to be able to cruiser at 55 on the highway when needed. I also wanted to keep my 2F engine and a mostly Toyota rig at least where it makes the most sense.

I'm running 36" TSLs and 4.88 gears. I don't go much faster that 55 but I have plenty of power.

 

[jgray]

jcj_78FJ40 - I am a flatlander as I basically about 30 minutes from Virginia Beach... We have done trips to Uwharrie last two years in a row but I had not had the FJ40 ready on the last trip. I have a 100 series that I took and it did really great overall. Last trip my brother blew out the transfer case in his jeep and I had to tow him back to VA with a tow bar rigged up to the back of my cruiser... Uwharrie is about a 5 hour drive for me... Other areas in VA like Crozet, Shoe Creek, etc are a few hours away for me... I spend a lot of time on the Outer Banks of NC in the summer fishing, surfing, etc and I'd like to take the FJ40 on these trips in the summer sometimes. I guess overall I would like to use the 40 for more than strictly a trail truck that I tow everywhere. I'm trying to plan this upgrade correctly and this is probably going to be my Christmas present to myself or at least part collecting will begin. We were thinking of taking a trip soon somewhere in VA. If you live in Afton then you are around areas we'd most likely go. Send me a PM and I'll email you if we head up your way sometime.

 

[wbb72fj40]

I am in the middle of this up grade and using a plate. you can figure about 1200.00 for the swap plus fixing every thing else you find wrong along the way.

your hump will be a challange unless you have a body lift. (not bad but agravating.)

you will have to cut that tube cross member out and move it.

rounding up all the parts before hand is a must.

tree roots writeup is a good one but make sure you click all the blue word's before you start so you are better prepared.

classic cruisers is who i got my plate from and merl is very helpful.

sorced a lot of the other stuff locally. (bolts nuts washers) I had a little trouble getting a machine shop to tap the tail shaft two said know but after the I told the third the others couldn't do it he was glad to, just to prove a point.

I have found that 9/16 is an odd size If i do it again I will use 7/16 tap on the shaft to make hardware easyer to find.

i did put my slave on the left of the truck with no problems.

bell housing has to come out for several reasons plan on it. I left the motor in the truck using a jack on the oil pan.

just some thing's i found.

 

[wbb72fj40]

nice looking rig in your avatar post some pictures of it.

 

[jgray]

I appreciate all the advice so far... Any other opinions on using a H42 or H41 Toyota 4 speed? I have another opportunity to pickup a H42 for a good deal so I'm still weighing my options.

wbb72fj40 - here are a couple pics

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

The H42 is fine for running the flats but you will not like it on the rocks unless you have an Orion, especially with your tires.

It is also has a 16 spline output as opposed to a 10 spline output so you would need to also find a 4spd TC or find a 10 spline transition gear to mate with your 3spd TC.

FYI The 3spdTC has a lower low range than the 4spd TC

 

[Cruiserdrew]

There would be no point to swap in an H42 in my opinion. You have built a rock crawler/offroader. That requires deep gearing.

An H41 would make a fairly good swap. You get a 5:1 low gear. You would need a new transfer case and bellhousing. You would not end up with super low gearing but it would be OK for East Coast terrain, I think.

That's why I originally recommended an SM420/465. Then you can use the transfer case you have now, and the bellhousing you have now, and the only parts you would have to buy are the adapter plate, some bearings and a transfercase rebuild kit. It keeps it mostly Toyota with 1 really deep gear for when you are in technical terrain.

The other thing that would be decent is an H42 (or better H41) and an Orion. That would be really nice gearing but a bunch more money. If cost is no object, do that.

 

[Poser]

There would be no point to swap in an H42 in my opinion. You have built a rock crawler/offroader. That requires deep gearing.

I do not know if this can be emphasized enough.


Even to hang an Orion off the rear of an H42 is only going to give you marginal performance and leave you wanting more.


How many times do you want to be changing out transmissions and transfer case combinations?



465s are hard to beat.

I have ran an SM420 in my junk since 1993 and cannot possibly imagine running anything else.

 

[slickrock]

I appreciate all the advice so far... Any other opinions on using a H42 or H41 Toyota 4 speed? I have another opportunity to pickup a H42 for a good deal so I'm still weighing my options.

wbb72fj40 - here are a couple pics

Would you mind taking close-ups of your rear fenders and give a describe them? WHat are they made out of, did you buy them or fab them?

I need to figure out what I am going to do with my cut fenders.

 

[wbb72fj40]

Again sweet Rig. seems we are headed in the same direction you just got there first.

Ok I got to drive mine last night for the fist time with the 465. Go this route you will have no regrets I sware.

that was the first time I could let out on my clutch and not rev up my engine since the lift. 4L is stupid slow wont even need it for anything but rocks.

shifts alot better and it take's the lag out between gears that the j30 has.

I will actually be able to ease thru a pasture without my seat belt

I will have to have a do over on my tranny hump though to much sound is
resinating into the truck. the hump is touching the tranny on top I guess I will have to listen to Poser Again. and just but a bout and 1 1/2- 2" body lift on it.

 

[wbb72fj40]

I appreciate all the advice so far... Any other opinions on using a H42 or H41 Toyota 4 speed? I have another opportunity to pickup a H42 for a good deal so I'm still weighing my options.

wbb72fj40 - here are a couple pics

looking at the picture and knowing how mine was I can't even see how you are able to get moving with that 3spd. you are a
professional clutch featherer

Remember toyota designed these things to sport those beefy P235/15 's

 

[jgray]

slickrock- the rear fenders are custom fabicated - i will take a better picture this weekend and post or if you send me your email i can send you some close ups.

i appreciate everyones feedback so far... lots of people have been giving me different opinions on this swap and i'm trying to decide if i should hold out for a premium one time swap that i would only need to do one time. as i mentioned before i am on a budget but i don't mind taking my time to do this the right way.

the h42 toyota tranny i came across is a transition year 74 tranny and transfer case combo which would have lower 3 speed case gearing with the added strength of a newer 4 speed case from what i've been told. this also comes with shifters and linkages etc... i know i would need a new 4 speed bellhousing but i can get one of those very cheap as well... this seems to be a good enough deal that it may be worth picking up but again it does make sense to only do this one time...

several of my local cruiser specialists keep going back to a H55 split case combo which ends up being pretty expensive in the end... i haven't been able to get in touch with person locally that has the sm465 this week so im still doing research... thanks again to everyone who has responded to my post!