FJ62 - Convert to H55 5 Speed or Rebuilt A440F (1 Viewer)

[zeeklafreek]

Things also seem to cost 2x now, even since 2017 when they were discussing the swaps

I just paid $3.6K for a new H55, sooooo....yeah.

 

[CenTXFJ60]

I just got a quote from ACC to perform the H55f swap. They estimated $16k. It about blew my head clean off. I offered to buy the parts and pay $5000 for labor. Idk, what do you think? I'd like for them to do it, but that sounds really high.

I assume you have a 62. If so this is the most invasive of the 3 60 series type cruisers (early 60, late 60 & 62’s) when it comes to a H55 conversion. New parts alone for the 62 job will conservatively run $4k (trans, shifter cane, isolator, shifter knob, T-case rebuild kit, t-case bolts, clutch kit, clutch master/slave, NSS delete, clutch hardline etc.) and used late 60 parts required are all over the board (Bell Housing, clutch fork, crossmember, pedal bucket, flywheel, shifter plate & driveshafts) and can run $1500-3k depending on who/where you source them from. On the labor side your potential offer is less than I charge doing this as a “one man side hustle” shop (meaning it’s a part time gig after I’m done with my day job). 60’s are quite a bit easier so labor charges reflect that but 62’s require much for labor including dealing with the H440, fabbing up brackets for the crossmember, swapping pedal buckets, installing clutch master, slave & hard or soft line plus several small things I can’t thing of. And need to remember the t-case rebuild labor is in that “swap” labor charge. So a full blown reputable shop has way more overhead to account for, but well worth using if you can afford it. In the end the piece of mind is worth having someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to putting your truck under the knife. Lastly, with a 62 conversion the expense typically overlooked is “what do I do with the big carpet void on my trans hump”. So do you pay someone else to put in a new carpet kit or pay $500ish for the DNP set and install yourself.

Nothing in this process is “rocket science” and with MUD and the cruiser community as a resource, most anyone with the interest, space, time/patience, tools and willingness to get dirty can accomplish this conversion as well. Easy enough to figure the investment based on the #’s above.

Hope this helps and apologies if it’s more info than you were looking for or already knew.

 

[4Cruisers]

I just paid $3.6K for a new H55, sooooo....yeah.

Compared to $1,850 from cruiserdan when he was still at American Toyota in Albuquerque ~10 years ago.

 

[PF]

I did this conversion myself on my FJ62 over 10 years ago. I bought a rebuilt H55F with transfer case from SOR. I also bought all the parts that they stripped from a donor truck for me. I paid someone to reweld the trans mount brackets and paid a local driveshaft specialist change the length of my driveshaft. Everything else I did.

What I paid way back then is not relevant now, but it was no where near that $16k mark even in 2010 $$$. My point here is that you can probably do it yourself with some patience and the help from the people on this forum and come in way under that high price tag.

As a side note, that conversion improved the performance of my truck more than the Martin Davidson Engine upgrade.

 

[cruisermatt]

I did this conversion myself on my FJ62 over 10 years ago. I bought a rebuilt H55F with transfer case from SOR. I also bought all the parts that they stripped from a donor truck for me. I paid someone to reweld the trans mount brackets and paid a local driveshaft specialist change the length of my driveshaft. Everything else I did.

What I paid way back then is not relevant now, but it was no where near that $16k mark even in 2010 $$$. My point here is that you can probably do it yourself with some patience and the help from the people on this forum and come in way under that high price tag.

As a side note, that conversion improved the performance of my truck more than the Martin Davidson Engine upgrade.

You realize that $16k is including hourly labor at ACC’s rate, which I’m sure it between $150-250hr.

 

[Joefish]

You realize that $16k is including hourly labor at ACC’s rate, which I’m sure it between $150-250hr.

You realize that $16k is including hourly labor at ACC’s rate, which I’m sure it between $150-250hr.

Thanks everybody for your replies. I'm just getting into this forum and I'm finding it's a great resource. I appreciate it!

 

[RevISK]

I assume you have a 62. If so this is the most invasive of the 3 60 series type cruisers (early 60, late 60 & 62’s) when it comes to a H55 conversion. New parts alone for the 62 job will conservatively run $4k (trans, shifter cane, isolator, shifter knob, T-case rebuild kit, t-case bolts, clutch kit, clutch master/slave, NSS delete, clutch hardline etc.) and used late 60 parts required are all over the board (Bell Housing, clutch fork, crossmember, pedal bucket, flywheel, shifter plate & driveshafts) and can run $1500-3k depending on who/where you source them from. On the labor side your potential offer is less than I charge doing this as a “one man side hustle” shop (meaning it’s a part time gig after I’m done with my day job). 60’s are quite a bit easier so labor charges reflect that but 62’s require much for labor including dealing with the H440, fabbing up brackets for the crossmember, swapping pedal buckets, installing clutch master, slave & hard or soft line plus several small things I can’t thing of. And need to remember the t-case rebuild labor is in that “swap” labor charge. So a full blown reputable shop has way more overhead to account for, but well worth using if you can afford it. In the end the piece of mind is worth having someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to putting your truck under the knife. Lastly, with a 62 conversion the expense typically overlooked is “what do I do with the big carpet void on my trans hump”. So do you pay someone else to put in a new carpet kit or pay $500ish for the DNP set and install yourself.

Nothing in this process is “rocket science” and with MUD and the cruiser community as a resource, most anyone with the interest, space, time/patience, tools and willingness to get dirty can accomplish this conversion as well. Easy enough to figure the investment based on the #’s above.

Hope this helps and apologies if it’s more info than you were looking for or already knew.

This is a great, detailed and well thought out reply.
When we discussed my T-case a few weeks ago, it opened my eyes a bit wider to what you do for folks. Also encouraged me to do it myself (I just wish I had a lift) even if it means crawling around on a gravel driveway.

You’re a gem Jimbo.
The poster you replied to should be grateful.

 

[Joefish]

This is a great, detailed and well thought out reply.
When we discussed my T-case a few weeks ago, it opened my eyes a bit wider to what you do for folks. Also encouraged me to do it myself (I just wish I had a lift) even if it means crawling around on a gravel driveway.

You’re a gem Jimbo.
The poster you replied to should be grateful.

Absolutely! As I mentioned in my previous reply, I'm finding this forum and it's members to be a great resource. Thanks again for your knowledge and willingness to share.