Has anyone replaced their A343 with an A442 in a '95-'97? I'm wondering what is involved if so and whether the mount points are the same as well as the electrical concerns.
Thanks,
Tripper
Thanks,
Tripper
A442 in a '97
- Thread starter MadTripper
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why on earth would you want to?
It's considered by some to be a stronger tranny. Not necessarily better, but stronger. It's extremely durable. It has the nickname "bus tranny". I think that's from the distinctive whirring noise it makes starting from a dead stop. It doesn't have the "second start" feature that the later trannys have. I believe there's some other subtle differences, but one thing's for sure: the newer trannys are not stronger.
i agree, i had a 93 with that tranny....that freaking tranny was big enough to have its own zip code....i just think the effort of doing the swap would be worth it
What is this "second start" feature you mention?
its button next to the high/low shifter, it allows the transmission to start in second gear....mainly for when your on ice
I believe it does have the second start feature, but you have to put the shifter in the 2nd gear position instead of using the switch. I don't have one but I do recall reading about that somewhere on here.
As far as stronger, none of the three 80 series transmissions have shown themselves to be better/stronger/weaker/worse than any others. They are all well suited to their task. The whole "bus transmission" argument doesn't really prove anything IMO.
Swapping one model for the other is going to be a cost prohibitive venture, as the A343F transmission was introduced along with OBDII, so the ECUs are integrated in one single unit, and there are some differences in operation (the PWR/2nd start switch for example). The A442F has separate transmission and engine ECUs. If you need to replace your transmission, find another of the same model and plug it back in.
My '94, with the A442F tranny, does not have the second start feature by just selecting "2" from a dead stop. It whirs off in 1st and shifts into second. Confirmed correct operation by the owners manual. Maybe some non-US A442F equipped rigs have it.
If you read my post carefully , I said, "It's considered by some.......". Obviously you don't, since your '96 is A343F equipped. IIRC, some A343Fs had a recall or some other annoying quirk that had to be addressed by dealer service shops early on that was never experienced by the A442F equipped 80s.
There's no argument inferred regarding the bus transmission. It's just a fact that the A442F was used in a commercial application with some success which speaks highly of the tranny for ruggedness.
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historically on this site the "bus tranny" has been more problematic that the weaker model. Plaqued by solenoid issues and flaring, I'd pass on that beast.
But I have read that someone has swapped it in. From memory even the 2nd start feature worked. maybe someone can dig up the thread on it.
But I have read that someone has swapped it in. From memory even the 2nd start feature worked. maybe someone can dig up the thread on it.
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- #12
Thanks for all the replies. I want to swap it into my '97 because there is minimal effort to hook it to the Isuzu 4HE1-TC, both the engine and A442 tranny are in my garage at the moment.
It would probably be easier to start with a '93 or '94 but I kind of like my '97 and already own it so that is my direction.
Tripper
It would probably be easier to start with a '93 or '94 but I kind of like my '97 and already own it so that is my direction.
Tripper
This thread would have been a lot simpler if you had mentioned this info in your first postThanks for all the replies. I want to swap it into my '97 because there is minimal effort to hook it to the Isuzu 4HE1-TC, both the engine and A442 tranny are in my garage at the moment.
It would probably be easier to start with a '93 or '94 but I kind of like my '97 and already own it so that is my direction.
Tripper
If you are ripping out the 1FZ-FE, A343F and the associated ECU and sliding a totally different engine and transmission combo into an empty chassis it doesn't matter what transmission you are going to use. There are a couple of good threads about similar conversions in the Diesel Tech section.
Edit: to answer the other part of your original question, the mounting point at the rear of the transmission is the same for the A343F and A442F in terms of location and the rubber insulator mount used.
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- #14
This thread would have been a lot simpler if you had mentioned this info in your first post
If you are ripping out the 1FZ-FE, A343F and the associated ECU and sliding a totally different engine and transmission combo into an empty chassis it doesn't matter what transmission you are going to use. There are a couple of good threads about similar conversions in the Diesel Tech section.
Right on but I was mainly concerned about fitment and mounts which is why I left the engine details out. Once the question of why came up, I figured I'd toss it out there. I've been keeping an eye on some threads in the diesel section and also over at 4BTswaps.
Again, thanks for the replies.
Tripper
For two posts in a row your info has been wrong and your need to change the font is freaking annoying.
The real reason it is called a "bus tranny" is that the Coaster bus is made at the same Yoshiwara Plant as the Land Cruiser. They are made side-by-side in two different buildings that run parallel to each other. The A442 was installed into the Coasters as well as the Land Cruisers during this time period.
Whether this is true or not anymore, I do not know as we did not see any Coaster manufacturing, just out in the same storage lot as the Land Cruisers getting ready for export.
It has nothing to do with strength, per se, as the A440F and the A343F were both installed into the Coasters during this time period. In fact, most Coasters seem to get the same transmission being installed into the current Land Cruiser of the time period (Coasters also came with H41/42's, same as the Land Cruiser, and the H55, same as non-US market Land Cruisers). I wouldn't be surprised if the current LC200 tranny is being put into the current Coasters (that's just a theory--I don't know for sure).
Whether this is true or not anymore, I do not know as we did not see any Coaster manufacturing, just out in the same storage lot as the Land Cruisers getting ready for export.
It has nothing to do with strength, per se, as the A440F and the A343F were both installed into the Coasters during this time period. In fact, most Coasters seem to get the same transmission being installed into the current Land Cruiser of the time period (Coasters also came with H41/42's, same as the Land Cruiser, and the H55, same as non-US market Land Cruisers). I wouldn't be surprised if the current LC200 tranny is being put into the current Coasters (that's just a theory--I don't know for sure).