4 speed tranny (1 Viewer)

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Joined
Feb 7, 2007
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Location
Atascadero CA
Ok, well I have a 70' fj40 with a 3 speed and it sucks on the freeway. I am thinking of switching out my tranny to a 4 speed.I just need some thinng that can go on the freeway smoothly. Any ideas, opinions, or advice. If you have any that would be great thanks.
 
4th in the 4 speed is the same as 3rd in the three speed. Still interested?

Best

Mark A.
 
DANG! I did not know that. Well I still need some ideas on trannys that will handle the occasional freeway trip. Any ideas
 
Mark, are you saying that if I put in a SM420 or SM465, 4th gear will feel like my 3rd gear I have with my three speed and will not have any higher freeway speed?
 
Hang on here...Almost every 4 speed tranny I can think of has the same top gear. Heck, even the 3 speed Cruiser tranny is 1:1 top gear. SM420, SM465, H41, H42, guess what-all 1:1 top gear.

If you want overdrive, there is a hard way and an easy way, The hard way, means a true overdrive tranny like an H55f, or an NP4500. The easy way just involves bigger tires.

My personal opinion, is that only the 4 speed trannies fit well in an FJ40. The 5 speed overdrive trannies are too long to work easily. The drive shaft just gets too short. How fast do you really want to go in a 40?
 
My 40 has a sm465 with a stock transfer case and 35 inch tires. I can comportable cruise at 55 to 60mph. That's bout it for our type vehicles. I have heard others claim smooth sailing at 70mph. These folks must have differing suspension packages as 60 is about it for me!
 
Hi All:

Well, no surprise there! A 1970 FJ40 was designed to drive across Africa or Australia at 25mph, not across America at 70mph! :grinpimp:

What are your main complaints about your FJ40 on the freeway? Engine noise? Gearbox whine? Handling? Ride quality? Remember, the basic vehicle was designed in the mid-1950s, and changed in a very evolutionary fashion during its' 26 year production run.

There are things you can do to make a FJ40 more freeway friendly, but only to a limited amount. It will never be as quiet, ride as smooth, or handle as well as a modern vehicle at high speeds.

Good luck! Enjoy the ride! :beer:

Alan

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Ok, well I have a 70' fj40 with a 3 speed and it sucks on the freeway. I am thinking of switching out my tranny to a 4 speed.I just need some thinng that can go on the freeway smoothly. Any ideas, opinions, or advice. If you have any that would be great thanks.
 
Trollhole got his to go 80 goin down hill on I-20...wasn't fun following him...too much shimmy!
 
The H55 with a 350 fits pretty nice as far as driveshafts go, but you may find you want to modify the tranny tunnel a bit for more ground clearance. With 35's and a 350, 4 wheel discs and FJ60PS 70mph doesn't feel scary. Don't go jerkin on the wheel and slamming on the brakes though. The vehicle tracks well regardless if it's a good idea. Turns around 3K. Much more comfortable and better gas mileage at 55-60. Do a search on the trannies, lot of $$ that may be better spent elsewhere.
 
Well there ya go! Least you know it's not necessary to tow it all the away from home.
 

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