A few months ago I had bought a 5 speed transmission Toyota's H55F, which luckily I got with the correct top plate installed. Advantage is that I didn't have to cut the interior transmission cover. As per the seller, it came off a later model 40 series.
I have not been able to supervise the work myself due to pandemic related travel restrictions, so the information I am relaying here is as received from my cousin who was very kind to supervise to swap and the seller. Following parts were replaced/swapped:
1- Parking Brake Drum (yes being a 1978 model, the parking brake was attached to H41 split transfer case). The H41 parking brake drum won't fit the H55F. A compatible H55F drum was arranged. Apparently H55F came with vehicles which had parking brakes attached to transfer case also (not sure of further details of such vehicles. Please add to my knowledge)
2- The shorter spline shaft of the H55F was required to be replaced with a longer shaft to be able to host the parking brake drum. Photos included below
3- The cross member on the frame hosting the transmission mounting had to be replaced with a later model one, and also shifted slightly on the frame due to the longer length of the H55F. The earlier cross member would also clash with the front shaft due to it's shape, hence the later member cross member. No cutting and welding on frame. Riveted instead at the new location.
4- New gear mount
5- The H55F Transfer case lever was slightly bent to fit through the original hole on the transmission hump plate.
6- The parking brake drum was too close to the round pipe cross member of the frame, so minor adjustment was made to ensure there is a safe gap in the drum and the member.
7- Existing bell housing was used.
8- Shaft lengths were also adjusted. As I know the rear one was shortened. Not sure about the front one.
Some mechanic suggested that H55F won't work with B1 and B2 engines, because they don't produce enough torque. He was put wise by a senior, though the senior said that during uphill drive an immediate downshift would be required, unlike engines like 3B or 13B. Works like a charm as per my cousin who test drove it.
First some photos of the transmission when it was purchased in February 2020
I have not been able to supervise the work myself due to pandemic related travel restrictions, so the information I am relaying here is as received from my cousin who was very kind to supervise to swap and the seller. Following parts were replaced/swapped:
1- Parking Brake Drum (yes being a 1978 model, the parking brake was attached to H41 split transfer case). The H41 parking brake drum won't fit the H55F. A compatible H55F drum was arranged. Apparently H55F came with vehicles which had parking brakes attached to transfer case also (not sure of further details of such vehicles. Please add to my knowledge)
2- The shorter spline shaft of the H55F was required to be replaced with a longer shaft to be able to host the parking brake drum. Photos included below
3- The cross member on the frame hosting the transmission mounting had to be replaced with a later model one, and also shifted slightly on the frame due to the longer length of the H55F. The earlier cross member would also clash with the front shaft due to it's shape, hence the later member cross member. No cutting and welding on frame. Riveted instead at the new location.
4- New gear mount
5- The H55F Transfer case lever was slightly bent to fit through the original hole on the transmission hump plate.
6- The parking brake drum was too close to the round pipe cross member of the frame, so minor adjustment was made to ensure there is a safe gap in the drum and the member.
7- Existing bell housing was used.
8- Shaft lengths were also adjusted. As I know the rear one was shortened. Not sure about the front one.
Some mechanic suggested that H55F won't work with B1 and B2 engines, because they don't produce enough torque. He was put wise by a senior, though the senior said that during uphill drive an immediate downshift would be required, unlike engines like 3B or 13B. Works like a charm as per my cousin who test drove it.
First some photos of the transmission when it was purchased in February 2020
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