3 speed 1st/reverse gear—How much damage is too much? (3 Viewers)

[MadMace]

I searched and couldn’t get an idea of how much damage the 1st/reverse gear of a 3 speed transmission is acceptable for continued use.

For our purpose, this truck will live an easy life—driving around our easy-terrain ranch and Saturday/Sunday drives into town. The counter (cluster) gear we are using for the rebuild is in very good shape.

Pictured is the gear in question—the damage is to 5-6 teeth—all the other teeth look good.

Any and all input/advice appreciated.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I'd be looking for another gear and the one it runs with. You have it apart, fix it correctly and be done. Otherwise it could break at any time and take out more stuff and perhaps strand the rig.

 

[brian]

Yeah, if you're already holding that in hand....replace it.

 

[charliemeyer007]

$OR lists the new first/reverse gear for like $205, used 195

Land Cruiser 3 Speed Transmission Shafts & Gears - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...

www.sor.com

 

[MadMace]

I'd be looking for another gear and the one it runs with. You have it apart, fix it correctly and be done. Otherwise it could break at any time and take out more stuff and perhaps strand the rig.

Yeah, if you're already holding that in hand....replace it.

Thank you. Makes sense, will do. Fortunately I’ve got a nice reverse idler gear and counter/cluster gear to rebuild with.

I’ll try and track one down in “classifieds” and go to SOR if I’m not having any luck there.

 

[charliemeyer007]

You could also post and look in the classifieds wanted/for sale too.

 

[majdomo]

Thank you. Makes sense, will do. Fortunately I’ve got a nice reverse idler gear and counter/cluster gear to rebuild with.

I’ll try and track one down in “classifieds” and go to SOR if I’m not having any luck there.

Contact Mark @65swb45 who may have a gear for you. Phoning the shop is the best way to get in touch, 818-953-9230.

 

[Mark Jennings]

Sometimes it’s easier to find the entire gearbox. The three speeds are pretty cheap, when you can find one…..and shipping isn’t ‘unreasonable’ if can find someone willing to disassemble and then reuse you’re housing….thats the cheapest all around. As far as the gear in the photo above…..save it as wall art….get a new box.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I searched and couldn’t get an idea of how much damage the 1st/reverse gear of a 3 speed transmission is acceptable for continued use.

For our purpose, this truck will live an easy life—driving around our easy-terrain ranch and Saturday/Sunday drives into town. The counter (cluster) gear we are using for the rebuild is in very good shape.

Pictured is the gear in question—the damage is to 5-6 teeth—all the other teeth look good.

Any and all input/advice appreciated.

View attachment 3952600View attachment 3952601View attachment 3952602View attachment 3952603

Do you want to walk home? Rebuild the transmission and possibly the transfer case.

 

[MadMace]

Do you want to walk home? Rebuild the transmission and possibly the transfer case.

No way. I was a trouble-maker as a kid—many times had to exit a perfectly good car to walk home. Don’t want to do it as an adult because of a not-perfectly-good tranny and t-case.

 

[POPO AGIE]

I walked home a lot not because my 40 broke down but because I would go out alone and get stuck. I had a collision with a F350 and went home with the tow truck operator.

I am 67 now I want to avoid walk home now.

 

[Augustiron]

Reach out to Valley Hybrids for your transmission parts

Orangefj45 georg

 

[pb4ugo]

It's probably easier and cheaper to find a good 3 speed than buy individual replacement parts. The seller should be willing to remove the top cover for inspection. If you decide to rebuild one you could use the best parts from the two trannys. Or consider a 4 speed swap.

 

[Mark Jennings]

This is a picture of my ‘Wall Art’. It started when the First/Reverse gear got stuck between first and reverse (column shift linkage issue, go figure!). It took about 2000 miles, then the noise in first became unbearable…..because of the chips and steel sludge in the gears box, it took out the countershaft, countershaft roller bearings and the reverse idler roller bearings. Basically, if your first and reverse are as bad as your original photo, everything in the box should be replaced…..just get a another box…..and rebuild that one.

 

[3_puppies]

Sometimes it’s easier to find the entire gearbox. The three speeds are pretty cheap, when you can find one…..and shipping isn’t ‘unreasonable’ if can find someone willing to disassemble and then reuse you’re housing….thats the cheapest all around. As far as the gear in the photo above…..save it as wall art….get a new box.

problem will be making sure the "new" gearbox has a good gear in it.
the non synchro 1st doesn't help when PO's try and jamb it in gear
good used ones are out there, just need to make sure it is good.

 

[MadMace]

This is a picture of my ‘Wall Art’. It started when the First/Reverse gear got stuck between first and reverse (column shift linkage issue, go figure!). It took about 2000 miles, then the noise in first became unbearable…..because of the chips and steel sludge in the gears box, it took out the countershaft, countershaft roller bearings and the reverse idler roller bearings. Basically, if your first and reverse are as bad as your original photo, everything in the box should be replaced…..just get a another box…..and rebuild that one.

As I took the rest of the box apart, there were a lot metal shavings.--mostly fines but some small chunks. The 1st gear portion of the counter gear was really chewed up. I cannot imagine how ugly the gear-grind sound was that caused it.

This is the first gear box I've taken apart, learning a ton. Fascinating how all this works--especially the syncros.

 

[Mark Jennings]

I wrote this a while back….part numbers and sources for rebuilding your 3 speed. All you need now is a rebuildable box!

J30 Transmission

J30 Rebuild parts, I bought a complete kit from Transmission Parts Distributors…. $68

J30 TRANSMISSION REBUILD KIT FITS TOYOTA LAND CRUISER '67-'74 3-SPEED MANUAL (BK253)

J30 TRANSMISSION REBUILD KIT FITS TOYOTA LAND CRUISER '67-'74 3-SPEED MANUAL (BK253)

www.transmissionpartsdistributors.com

This comes with bearings, gaskets, seals and the big rollers for the split main shaft.

You will also need a cluster gear shaft, fjparts.com….$21

Countershaft, Transmission, 63-82 FJ4# 55 3 Speed

Countershaft, Transmission Counter Gear Tube 63-10/82 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, FJ42, FJ43, FJ45, FJ55 With 3 Speed Transmission Made In Japan

www.fjparts.com

The small rollers for the cluster gear and reverse idler, you can source from the UK (no one in US has them). You can get them from SOR, but $500 is a bit too muck. ‘Simply Bearings’ is the company I order through, these aren’t cheap but needed and you’ll need 96 of one size and 56 of the other (can’t remember off hand which is which) They only come in baggies of 100. The sizes are 3mm X 15.8 and 2.5mm X 13.8. You’ll spend about $70 for the rollers, and another $100 for shipping (but it ain’t $500 ). Note, every 3 speed I have ever disassembled had a worn cluster gear shaft, and if you see wear on that shaft, you can not trust the small rollers….e.g. if the shaft is worn, the rollers are worn….

Looks like you figured out the synchro rings…most of the vendors on this forum can get them for you.

Good luck on your rebuild

Picture….cluster gear and reverse idler rollers.

 

[MadMace]

@Mark Jennings, thank you for the information, I appreciate it.

 

[MadMace]

Found them, thank you!