Checking H55F Fluid Level?

[Two Buck]

I feel a little stupid posting such a basic question, but I'll feel even stupider if I don't and kill my tranny, so...

Hey, can someone tell me how to check the fluid level on a H55F transmission in a FJ60? And where to add/drain fluid if it is low and/or needs replacing? And while I'm at it, I should check the transfer case too, right? So same questions there.

I've searched the forum for this already but came up empty. Thanks in advance...

 

[Spike Strip]

Check - add from the same spot: Driver's side of tranny, half-way up is a plug. Gear oil should just dribble out of it when full. Same for t'case. Yours has been sitting quite a while. Might be a good investment to change both t'case and tranny fluids - and diffs before you embark on any great adventures.

 

[rover67]

on the left side of the tranny about halfway up there is a big plug that looks like the drain plug. The tranny is supposed to be filled to the bottom of the plug.

I usually pump in gear oil till it dribbles out and stick the plug back in.

T case is a similar deal. the fill plug is on the back of it near the big idler shaft. again, it looks like a drain plug.. remove it and make sure the t case is filled to the bottom of the hole or until it dribbles out.

 

[Spike Strip]

btw, TB, if you need to change gear oil, you can buy mil-spec oil here: LINKY and will-call it at their Van Nuys location at Kester and Oxnard. Just order by phone and tell them you'll pick up at VN location.

Just an FYI.

 

[Two Buck]

Check - add from the same spot: Driver's side of tranny, half-way up is a plug. Gear oil should just dribble out of it when full. Same for t'case. Yours has been sitting quite a while. Might be a good investment to change both t'case and tranny fluids - and diffs before you embark on any great adventures.

Does anyone know what size socket I need for that plug?

 

[rover67]

24mm

I use a 15/16" one when i can't find the 24mm.

 

[Two Buck]

24mm

I use a 15/16" one when i can't find the 24mm.

Well, let me know next time you need one and I'll loan you the 24mm and 1/2" ratchet I just picked up at Autozone since they didn't have one in 3/8" drive.

 

[Two Buck]

...and now here's the $64,000 Question:

Now that I've drained all my tranny fluid, how do I get the fresh fluid to pour UP to get it in???

 

[Granite Grinder]

And be careful when replacing the check/fill plug, especially on the t-case, just because it uses a 24mm plug, doesn't mean it should be torqued to 70ft/lbs. The threads on the t-case strip very easily.

 

[Granite Grinder]

Now that I've drained all my tranny fluid, how do I get the fresh fluid to pour UP to get it in???

I have a pump that fits in a 5 gallon drum, you could use a handheld transfer pump (it would work, albeit slowly) or look for a pump that screws onto 4 quart jug.

 

[Spike Strip]

 

[Spike Strip]

Or back to vatozone:

 

[rover67]

you can fill it through the shifter hole if it is easily accessible. If not rig something up. i used to have a pressure sprayer that I just stuck a hose on to fill trannys with. now I use a 5 gallon pail and bucket pump from NAPA.

Also, i seem to remember that Autozone had a cheap pump that went in their gallon jugs.. I may be wrong though.

 

[rover67]

Or back to vatozone:

yup, that thing

 

[Two Buck]

Or back to vatozone:

I picked up something similar at Pepboys and I'm back in business again. The fluid I drained from the tranny and transfer case looked pristine. Go figure. But now I KNOW it's in good shape.

I didn't get to the differentials because I couldn't budge the front plugs when I started on them and I was running out of time to work on it. I'll tackle them again another time.

Thanks for the help, all y'all.

 

[Methusalem]

Because I can't find a pump like that over here, I always use a small plastic sandwich bag, fill it half with oil, put the opening of the bag in the filler hole and squeazzzzzz. Okay, it looks a little dumb and can get quite messy, but hey, it works!

 

[VTCDN]

Because I can't find a pump like that over here, I always use a small plastic sandwich bag, fill it half with oil, put the opening of the bag in the filler hole and squeazzzzzz. Okay, it looks a little dumb and can get quite messy, but hey, it works!

Where is over There ? That must waste / messy & be a pain.


Funnel to a long hose , then wire the funnel to the right rear window level ,hose in tranny fill, catch pan under trans , fill funnel , Gravity works with a Tea or a beer break. look in manual for amount and add a litre for spillage if your messy.


Here is a picture of my H55 with some custom mods I did.
The fittings can be aligned so hose is straight and no leakage plus it's an eye checking of level, Plus the ease of mind over the seal pumping the transfer oil into the trany .. 1/2 hr of machining , bolt on , quick check & fill
VT

 

[JoeK9]

Check - add from the same spot: Driver's side of tranny, half-way up is a plug. Gear oil should just dribble out of it when full. Same for t'case. Yours has been sitting quite a while. Might be a good investment to change both t'case and tranny fluids - and diffs before you embark on any great adventures.

Very Newbie here - So I opened the Transfer case fill plug, I have a slight leak so I was just looking to top it off. Well to my surprise about a half quart came out of the fill plug. Is this normal? How would I refill above this plug? This is a new build. Thanks in advance guys, just learning here.
81 FJ40 with Toyota H55F 5 speed transmission and transfer case

 

[Skniper]

The only thing I’ll add to this thread resurrection is....always make sure you can remove the fill plug on anything (diff, tcase, trans) BEFORE you remove the drain plug.

 

[Spike Strip]

Very Newbie here - So I opened the Transfer case fill plug, I have a slight leak so I was just looking to top it off. Well to my surprise about a half quart came out of the fill plug. Is this normal? How would I refill above this plug? This is a new build. Thanks in advance guys, just learning here.
81 FJ40 with Toyota H55F 5 speed transmission and transfer case

See your other post on this.