3-speed Transmission (J30) Questions

[Honger]

Okay, so I've done some searching and come up short on some information on rebuilding the 3-speed. Pretty much every search result for the 3-speed relates to swapping the transfer case to a 4-speed tranny.

1. Does the J30 have synchro's? If so, does anyone have the part #'s? I can't seem to find them through ToyoDIY.
2. Does anyone know the bearing sizes for the 3-speed? I can order Koyo bearings here locally but need to know what size they are.
3. Any known issues with the 3-speed? Mine is likely the original '77 transmission, making it 38 years old. Any reason I should abandon the rebuild and upgrade to a later 4-speed or even an H55 (I've located one with 2F housing).

If there is some sort of step-by-step or tutorial on rebuilding this transmission, can someone point me to it?

 

[cult45]

I thought it was the J31? Not that it matters, just curious. I have one in my 1970 AU 45. Synchro's second and top only. Known issues are probably very little - I think they're a strong enough box behind a low HP F. But I've only driven mine literally 20 mi. Guys like @landcrusher909 has one in an LV as well as one in a 45 and his buddy has one in a 40. As for spare parts maybe @west aussie will know - he's got a few too, but they're a looooooong way from Abu Dhabi

 

[shawnfj40]

The 3 speeds are plenty stout. The problem with them is they are only three speeds. The added flexibility of a four speed is knight and day. That being said I have run a 3 speed trouble free for years. I just recently switched to a 4speed and don't know why I waited so long.

 

[shelfboy1]

funny when i started driving fj40s they only had 3 speeds and they held up to anything we threw at them including v8 conversions . biggest thing at the time was a floor shift conversion and since we didnt know any better they drove fine .shawn 40 is right about the 4 speed .the 3 speed is simple to rebuild if you find the parts good luck

 

[cjgoode]

I loved the 3 speed as a kid a long time ago, mostly drove in 2nd and 3rd. The F engine had so much low end torque it was never a problem, and since 90% of shifting was between 2nd and 3rd three on the tree was never an issue. If these things were not tough I would have destroyed that thing in high school. In college I got a 1976 with 4 on the floor, it was nicer but the uniqueness of 3 on the tree was so much cooler.

 

[Honger]

Okay, @cult45 's response led me to go back to ToyoDIY to find the Synchro parts #'s. Sure enough, they were staring me right in the face:

33366-35011 - KEY, SYNCHROMESH SHIFTING, NO.2 (you'll need 3 of these)
33368-35012 - RING, SYNCHRONIZER, NO.2 (you'll need 2 of these)
33371-35010 - SPRING, SYNCHROMESH SHIFTING KEY, NO.2 (you'll need 2 of these)

I'm pretty sure I'm going to pull the transmission this summer (while the weather keeps me from driving the 40 anyway) and do a rebuild.

Anyone have the bearing sizes?

 

[Honger]

Oh, and it is a J30. At least in the General Market vehicles that is. It's on my builder's plate and that's also what ToyoDIY lists it as.

 

[cuencanolenny]

I have a 1970 that came with the 3 spd floor shift. It leaked was the biggest issue. From CCOT I ordered the Terrain Tamer kits for the transmission and transfer case. The only parts I needed were the synchronizers. Everything worked out well, although it needs new washers under the drain bolts as they are leaking. The Terrain Tamer kits are from Australia so that might work better for you. I dealt with those people and they sent me three new nuts. The problem was that whether from Toyota or a previous owner the shafts were threaded 19mm, a non-existent thread. I had to have three 18mm nuts re-cut to use, and it was a barely acceptable job. A 3/4-10 will almost thread on, but it won't.
Does anyone know if a J30 transfer case can be mounted to an H55 five speed tranny? I have just found a recently completely rebuilt engine. It is a 1983 2F and he has the five speed (non-USA for the year) but no transfer case. Apparently was run in a FJ60 for four months, no story on why it is now available. But I'm laughing because the guy above says he could drive around in 2nd and 3rd because his F had so much low end grunt. I've had riding lawnmowers that pulled better than my F.

 

[Honger]

I have a 1970 that came with the 3 spd floor shift. It leaked was the biggest issue. From CCOT I ordered the Terrain Tamer kits for the transmission and transfer case. The only parts I needed were the synchronizers. Everything worked out well, although it needs new washers under the drain bolts as they are leaking. The Terrain Tamer kits are from Australia so that might work better for you. I dealt with those people and they sent me three new nuts. The problem was that whether from Toyota or a previous owner the shafts were threaded 19mm, a non-existent thread. I had to have three 18mm nuts re-cut to use, and it was a barely acceptable job. A 3/4-10 will almost thread on, but it won't.
Does anyone know if a J30 transfer case can be mounted to an H55 five speed tranny? I have just found a recently completely rebuilt engine. It is a 1983 2F and he has the five speed (non-USA for the year) but no transfer case. Apparently was run in a FJ60 for four months, no story on why it is now available. But I'm laughing because the guy above says he could drive around in 2nd and 3rd because his F had so much low end grunt. I've had riding lawnmowers that pulled better than my F.

Yeah, mine is leaking. I need to get underneath and see why/where.

I'll look into the terrain tamer. My needs new synchro's for sure... and new gaskets/seals.

I've got an H55 and transfer case available to me... not sure if I'm ready for that.

 

[cuencanolenny]

I have a 1970 that came with the 3 spd floor shift. It leaked was the biggest issue. From CCOT I ordered the Terrain Tamer kits for the transmission and transfer case. The only parts I needed were the synchronizers. Everything worked out well, although it needs new washers under the drain bolts as they are leaking. The Terrain Tamer kits are from Australia so that might work better for you. I dealt with those people and they sent me three new nuts. The problem was that whether from Toyota or a previous owner the shafts were threaded 19mm, a non-existent thread. I had to have three 18mm nuts re-cut to use, and it was a barely acceptable job. A 3/4-10 will almost thread on, but it won't.
Does anyone know if a J30 transfer case can be mounted to an H55 five speed tranny? I have just found a recently completely rebuilt engine. It is a 1983 2F and he has the five speed (non-USA for the year) but no transfer case. Apparently was run in a FJ60 for four months, no story on why it is now available. But I'm laughing because the guy above says he could drive around in 2nd and 3rd because his F had so much low end grunt. I've had riding lawnmowers that pulled better than my F.

Make sure you get two of the small synchronizer rings. For some reason Toyotaoverstock.com kept sending me (twice) one small and one large which is for a 4 spd.

 

[cuencanolenny]

Fifteen months and 12,000 miles on this rebuild and it sounds like a gear hobbing machine and jumps out of gear requiring holding the shifter. Lots of fun with manual steering. The aggravation is that in the USA I see used J30's all over the place, can't import a used part and the weight would make the cost ridiculous so the only way to justify that cost would be with a new transmission which is not available anymore. I have looked at a few later model rigs to get the 4 spd but I just can't justify $8K for a 38 year old 4 spd.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

I've got a 78 general market 3 speed and it works fine.
Yeah, you've got to be under 5mph to shift into first, but otherwise....

 

[Honger]

I'm waiting around to see if a 4-speed pops up readily available for me to grab... and still considering snagging the H55 available. I just don't want to deal with the parking brake issue and shifter relocation...

 

[pdjohns101]

I've got a 78 general market 3 speed and it works fine.
Yeah, you've got to be under 5mph to shift into first, but otherwise....

So there were 3-speeds for 78s? I’m asking because I have a 78 with a 2F and J30 transmission and was confused about it. My FJ is a non-USA so I don’t know if that makes a difference. Also very new to the FJ40 community, so I may not be saying the right terms. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

So there were 3-speeds for 78s? I’m asking because I have a 78 with a 2F and J30 transmission and was confused about it. My FJ is a non-USA so I don’t know if that makes a difference. Also very new to the FJ40 community, so I may not be saying the right terms. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Non-US (general market) 78’s had j30. Nothing to be confused about.

 

[pdjohns101]

Non-US (general market) 78’s had j30. Nothing to be confused about.

Thanks man! Save me a from having a headache!

 

[Honger]

FWIW, I rebuilt my 3-speed and have stuck with it. On the whole it suits me just fine. It's awkward switching between my 5-speed Troopy an the 40 in terms of gear shift pattern. But with a slight increase in the tire diameter it cruises great. I'd like to to go 3.70 gears... I think that would make the perfect RPM's for cruising.

 

[Mark Jennings]

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). 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. 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

 

[FJ45 67]

The 3 speeds are plenty stout. The problem with them is they are only three speeds. The added flexibility of a four speed is knight and day. That being said I have run a 3 speed trouble free for years. I just recently switched to a 4speed and don't know why I waited so long.

Did you need to swap out the gearbox hump ? I am readying myself for this conversion soo.