BTJ62: First Impression
- Thread starter Exiled
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Exiled,
What was the cost to have the conversion done and what was included?
I am kicking around the idea for my '90 FJ62 with the stock automatic trans. I would like to run with an automatic as I tend to stay on the pavement more often and the wife prefers it over the stick.
Thanks,
Mark
What was the cost to have the conversion done and what was included?
I am kicking around the idea for my '90 FJ62 with the stock automatic trans. I would like to run with an automatic as I tend to stay on the pavement more often and the wife prefers it over the stick.
Thanks,
Mark
IIRC, he posted in another thread that he paid in the neighborhood of 12K by the time all was said and done. It's all the little parts that pile up and nickle & dime you to death with something like this.
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Wow, I didn't expect to see this thread come back! To figure out how much a conversion like this will cost, you need to talk to Jeremiah Proffitt. As Spook50 pointed out, I put about $12K into the Cruiser in December of '05, but that included a lot of non-conversion related expenses (including painting the truck). I also got a pretty good deal on the 4BT, and prices have gone up since I got the Cruiser back.
Mini-update: I got about 7K miles on it since the conversion and so far, it's exceeded my expectations. As a daily driver (80% road, 20% highway), it's pulling about 24 MPG without the roof rack on and the power-band is fine.
The only thing I would change (which I couldn't do at the time of the conversion because of budget constraints), is that I'd run an automatic transmission instead. That may come down the future, in a few years....
Mini-update: I got about 7K miles on it since the conversion and so far, it's exceeded my expectations. As a daily driver (80% road, 20% highway), it's pulling about 24 MPG without the roof rack on and the power-band is fine.
The only thing I would change (which I couldn't do at the time of the conversion because of budget constraints), is that I'd run an automatic transmission instead. That may come down the future, in a few years....
From what I understand, they are a lot easier in general. You don't ahve to worry about shifting when used as a DD. On the trail you don't have to worry about a clutch and the roll back associated. Also the torque convertor kind of acts like a crawler box. You can go much slower with an automatic than a similarly geared manual transmission. Just overall much more driver friendly. No experience, but info gathered from those campfire discussions.
Yeah but hope it dosen't take a s*** like mine did with 1000 miles on it.....$$$$$$$ to fix 
Any ideas on what kind of auto you want to put in, Henry? I wonder if the "extreme build" A440F that Slee used to offer via an Aussie company would hold up to the torque of a 4BT.
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- #95
Haven't even thought about it, I plan to ride the H55F until it blows up, and that's probably going to take forever! That said, a friend of mine who is planning a similar buildup around a 4BT and has been doing a lot of homework as he accumulates parts has chosen a custom-built 700R4. We'll have to see how his project develops (hint, hint, Jeff!)...
Rodney, of Wholesale Automatics, claims that the Extreme A440F with his matching torque converter can withstand the torque of a turbocharged 6 liter-plus Cummins or a hotrodded V8. The biggest aid to this capability seems to be the modified torque converter. All purchases from Wholesale Automatics are directly from OZ now with no American distribution available.
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I went with an auto as I did not much care for the NV4500. It is a bombproof tranny but they shift horribly. As the 80 is my wife's DD now, she decided to go with an auto. Much nicer driving now compared to the NV4500.
I went with a heavy duty built 700R4 and a heavy duty 700R4 diesel torque converter. It shifts quite smoothly. Although, I still don't have the lockup hooked up yet. Someday, I'll get to it.
BTW, with my heavy 80 turing 35's and no lockup, I am getting 20-21 mpg. Not too bad.
I went with a heavy duty built 700R4 and a heavy duty 700R4 diesel torque converter. It shifts quite smoothly. Although, I still don't have the lockup hooked up yet. Someday, I'll get to it.
BTW, with my heavy 80 turing 35's and no lockup, I am getting 20-21 mpg. Not too bad.
I don't know if it helps but there is a great company in SLC that builds bomber 700R4s, Tourist Transmission. www.touristtransmission.com, been around something like 60 years and they are probably the best in Utah I would guess at bare minimum... I am on trans #2 rebuilt with them now, my first NV4500 (which was a pile of parts when I brought it to them) was solid as a rock. Also 2 year/24K warranty which I haven't seen anyone be able to touch...
Makes sense that you guys would switch to autos I suppose, it is a little clunky but I didn't mind my NV4500 with my 4BT. Took a little getting used to with the odd shift points of the NV4500 and it is work but personally I am still a fan of the manuals...
I have been reading that is is pretty easy to have a 4L80E shift where you want it with a stand alone shift computer... The trans that come behind the 4BTs in the bread trucks are TH475s, super beefy version of the TH400. Best, Andre
Makes sense that you guys would switch to autos I suppose, it is a little clunky but I didn't mind my NV4500 with my 4BT. Took a little getting used to with the odd shift points of the NV4500 and it is work but personally I am still a fan of the manuals...
I have been reading that is is pretty easy to have a 4L80E shift where you want it with a stand alone shift computer... The trans that come behind the 4BTs in the bread trucks are TH475s, super beefy version of the TH400. Best, Andre