Just moved back to Florida from a 2 year stint in Colorado (and yes, I drove 'Ol Blue to the top of Pikes Peak). Starting to sense some tranny problems...285k on the tranny and transfer case. There's an '83 FJ for sale locally and I'm wondering if the manual tranny and transfer case are compatible with my 62. I'm seeing lot's of positive feedback on the manual tranny conversion. Not to mention, the truck for sale has lift and good tires, so I could basically pick up all the components I want in one purchase. The compatibility is my concern. Thoughts...?
83 FJ manual trans in my 88 FJ62
- Thread starter dcmilt
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Yes, all the parts you need are on that 83. You can even use the driveshafts by swapping out the flanges from your 62 driveshafts. My main wheeling partner used an 83 to convert his 89 to manual.
The only thing you would have to somewhat fabricate is not really fabricating and that is drilling eight holes to hold the old style crossmember in your frame.
Tony
The only thing you would have to somewhat fabricate is not really fabricating and that is drilling eight holes to hold the old style crossmember in your frame.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #3
ad for the '83 says it's a 4 speed tranny...ideally I'd want a 5 speed (H55). is the 4 speed still a good option when compared to a rebuild on my automatic tranny (gas mileage, ability to run at highway speeds, etc.)
The H42 is still a good tranny for the swap, unless you plan to wheel pretty hard then the H41 or H55 is better because of the low first.
If the rig is mostly highway and dirt roads as long as you leave your diff gears alone that H42 will work just fine. It will work pretty well off road as well.
I run an H55 in my diesel because of my diff gears, 4.88's.
You can always find an H55 later but remember that the 83 is what's called a short case 4 speed so replacing it with the H55 will take different driveshafts.
If that 83 is in good all around shape I would not hesitate to use it for the swap.
Tony
If the rig is mostly highway and dirt roads as long as you leave your diff gears alone that H42 will work just fine. It will work pretty well off road as well.
I run an H55 in my diesel because of my diff gears, 4.88's.
You can always find an H55 later but remember that the 83 is what's called a short case 4 speed so replacing it with the H55 will take different driveshafts.
If that 83 is in good all around shape I would not hesitate to use it for the swap.
Tony
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
FYI...the 62 has bolt hole bosses for the clutch master mounting bolts that go thru the firewall, BUT, they are patterned for the later 60 series style MC which has a different clocking and spread and in no way lines up w/ the studs or MC body hole on the 83s clutch/brake pedal bucket. So either don't drill the factory markings for your clutch bucket( and you'll have to make some good template to locate the 83s proper hole locations) OR, you get an 86 MC and slave and take the clutch pedal saddle off the early bucket and marry it to the 62s bucket and drill the factory marked holes. I go over the clutch bucket snafu in my conversion thread. I used an 86 trans and kept my 38mm split case. My parts stash did not merit my investigation of weather or not the 38mm will bolt up to the short H42, but if I had to go to the 34mm to go manual, I'd do it in a jiffy. GOOD swap afaic. You'll have a much easier time than I did with the many times suggested to me parts truck on hand. and concrete underneath is nice too. Good luck!
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
this is why I went with the later transmission to begin with FWIW
Lambcrusher
Yes the later tcase will bolt to the non spacer/shortcase H42 as long as you have the small spacer that goes between the rear tranny bearing and the main transfer gear in the tcase.
And the big surprise is that at the end of 1982 you will find that tcases for the 83 model year will fit on a long case 4 speed as well as H55's. Try this for more info The Wagon Way
Tony
Yes the later tcase will bolt to the non spacer/shortcase H42 as long as you have the small spacer that goes between the rear tranny bearing and the main transfer gear in the tcase.
And the big surprise is that at the end of 1982 you will find that tcases for the 83 model year will fit on a long case 4 speed as well as H55's. Try this for more info The Wagon Way
Tony
If you plan on a 5-speed later then get an '85 or newer FJ-60 4-speed (H42) and t-case. That 4-speed is the same dimensionally as the 5-speed (H55) and the t-case has a larger idler shaft. If you take the driveshafts also they should be the correct length to use. I had a 3FE and 5-speed in my FJ-60 and that combo was real nice. If you find a donor FJ-60 with engine problems you will have everthing you need (pedals, m/c, bellhousing, tranny, t-case, drive shafts, fly wheel....etc) Good luck.
- Thread starter
- #9
not to complicate things...but a hypothetical question. The manual trans seems like a great solution, however, if you guys had to choose between a FJ60 parts truck for the 4 speed, versus a complete FJ62 rolling chassis with a rebuit A440F, and cost was similar...what would you do. I'm going to look at the FJ60 today.
Depends on what you really want and have time for. I'd go for the manual transmission but it is a ton of work. The auto would be in and out swap. What do you want to drive?
Drove and wheeled my 62 for ten years and loved it but after switching over to my BJ60 with a stick I would never go back to an auto.
If that 60 runs and you can drive it, that should help you decide what to do. It's not that different from a 3FE with a stick so if you don't like how it drives I wouldn't do it but I bet one test drive would be all it takes.... A wagon with a manual tranny is just fun to drive.
Tony
If that 60 runs and you can drive it, that should help you decide what to do. It's not that different from a 3FE with a stick so if you don't like how it drives I wouldn't do it but I bet one test drive would be all it takes.... A wagon with a manual tranny is just fun to drive.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #12
local 60 for sale is not an option...thing is thrashed. Plan B: any web links available for a H55/transfer case swap out package? I'm going to keep moving forward with the manual tranny option, I'd like to have everything here before the A440F says bye bye. Kicking myself for not visiting the 2 Landcruiser junkyards in CO before I left...
Remember that the only parts you need in good condition is the drivetrain... Rest of the rig could be scrap and it wouldn't matter.
And don't forget, if your t-case is in good shape it will bolt directly onto an H55.
Tony
And don't forget, if your t-case is in good shape it will bolt directly onto an H55.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #14
Things may be starting to line up...or I may be rationalizing. Spend the bucks and convert to the H55...gain maybe 5mpg which equates to $ 1,000 per year in operating costs (fuel), 30% gain in HP +/-, and have a truck more fun to drive. That all makes sense. Tony, TC has 285k, so typical road whine and input shaft "clunk", but no leaks. Transfer Case rebuild too? I rarely take the truck off road now that I'm a flatlander again.
- Thread starter
- #15
I was assuming the HP gain at the tires as I read the amount of power required to turn the A440F...
I would say a 2 or 3 Mpg is closer to reality, final drive of the H55 is actually a little lower than the overdrive in the auto .845 versus .717 in the auto.
I can't say how much you would gain at the tires but a manual just makes the rig perform better. And a wagon with a stick is just more fun.
If you do keep the t-case definately rebuild it and probably need a new output gear as well.
But do keep in mind that a complete donor rig is the easiest way to go, it has all the parts you need to make the swap and may just be cheaper than all the parts bought on their own, short of the H55
Tony
I can't say how much you would gain at the tires but a manual just makes the rig perform better. And a wagon with a stick is just more fun.
If you do keep the t-case definately rebuild it and probably need a new output gear as well.
But do keep in mind that a complete donor rig is the easiest way to go, it has all the parts you need to make the swap and may just be cheaper than all the parts bought on their own, short of the H55
Tony
LAMBCRUSHER
SILVER Star
rebuild your tcase while it is out. do the oil pan gasket and rear main seal. try to keep from having to get back in there any time soon.
