3f engine a gearbox swap in fj45??

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Clermont, Central Queensland
Has anyone done this conversion before? I'm looking into putting the 3f motor and 5 speed in my 1981 fj45. Just wondering how hard it would be and what is needed to be modified, for what I've seen the bellhousings are the same but I'm for concerned about gearbox placement. If anyone could give me a bit more info about this conversion that would be much appreciated.

Cheers lewis
 
3F engine will bolt in place of a 2F engine, size and engine mount placement is the same, use the same bellhousing, trans mount will work with the 5 speed as long as you don't have a lift, might be front driveshaft clearance.
if you can find a 40 series top plate for the H55 that would be the best to place the shifter in the stock location
 
i work on a lot of Venezualen FJ45's where this combo was put in down there. It can work fine, I have a few recommendations from what I have seen/ had to fix:

-you'll want to re use the original bellhousing from the 45. The 3F bellhousing clocks the transmission on a 7-degree angle. You'll have to die grind some minor clearance reliefs on your 2F bellhousing for the H55f input bearing retainer.

-If you use the 60/70 transmission top cover the shifter will hit your bench seat without mods.

-Your 45 has the parking brake on the transfer case so you will want to either re use that transfer case's output shaft and parking brake parts - or convert your rear drums to the 40/60 drums with the parking brake, and you can use a 75-series parking brake cable with your current handle (this is the best way to go for sure)

-the 3F carb will use a throttle cable where as your 2F 45 uses a linkage. There are a few nice ways and a lot of really poor ways to work around this obstacble. Make sure you plan ahead here. I forgot that RHD 2F trucks use a cable. This may be a non-issue for you.
 
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i work on a lot of Venezualen FJ45's where this combo was put in down there. It can work fine, I hav a few recommendations from what I have seen/ had to fix:

-you'll want to re use the original bellhousing from the 45. The 3F bellhousing clocks the transmission on a 7-degree angle. You'll have to die grind some minor clearance reliefs on your 2F bellhousing for the H55f input bearing retainer.

-If you use the 60/70 transmission top cover the shifter will hit your bench seat without mods.

-Your 45 has the parking brake on the transfer case so you will want to either re use that transfer case's output shaft and parking brake parts - or convert your rear drums to the 40/60 drums with the parking brake, and you can use a 75-series parking brake cable with your current handle (this is the best way to go for sure)

-the 3F carb will use a throttle cable where as your 2F 45 uses a linkage.

I say “no” to these trucks and send them your way. 😂😂
 
-If you use the 60/70 transmission top cover the shifter will hit your bench seat without mods.
Matt,
Can you post up or describe some of the mods you've done regarding the shifter? I had Richard Lillard modify the bend in the portion of the cane that inserts into the T-case. Sorry for the Hi-jack. I'm sure other folks in this predicament would appreciate hearing your thoughts on handling this.
Thanks
 
Matt,
Can you post up or describe some of the mods you've done regarding the shifter? I had Richard Lillard modify the bend in the portion of the cane that inserts into the T-case. Sorry for the Hi-jack. I'm sure other folks in this predicament would appreciate hearing your thoughts on handling this.
Thanks

That is one option, the other option I would like to try is either the Hzj79 R151f or one of the variants of H151/H152 shifter canes - they *look* like they will fit an H55f in pictures. They point a bit more vertially then a H55f shifter. But I have not tried this yet.
 

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