Engine and trans Question?

[ToyotaJeep]

Hello,

I have been into Cruisers for awhile, but have taken the last ten years off and tried every other 4x4. That is why I am back here now....Cruisers rule.

My first Toyota was a 72 55 Wagon and it had the 3-speed. I remember it was too low geared driving down the road. So I put some 33's on it. That made the road great, but taking off difficult. Also, there is a horrible hill that I need to climb to get home. With the 3-speed it was too slow in 2nd, and not enough power in 3rd.

I am currently looking at a 74 FJ55 with the factory 4-speed. I would like to put some 35's with a SPOA and use it to daily drive etc. We get deep snow and I need some clearance.

1. Is the gear spread that much better with the 4-speed?

2. Also, the engine should be a 2f, but it has a steel valve cover. Did they make them with a steel valve cover?

3. Any links to budget spoa, DD type rigs? I am looking at keeping the basic mechanicals of the Cruiser, while adding ps/disk brakes and of course SPOA. Not wanting to do a swap at this time.

Thank you so much. This site has helped me alot in the past. Just so you know, I have done a frame off on an FJ40, and remodel on my 55. I have some background, but not much with the stock mechanicals. I am excited about the wagon....

 

[uglyoinker]

Lill john budget concious? Are you serious? Have you looked at your sig? Not wanting to get into a debate or anything or start a keyboard fight. Just giggled a little. Everybody I know that have cruisers and are penny pinchers have 6.0's nv4500 Dana 60's and double boxes.
Jake

 

[Pighead]

A stock '74 should have the 1.5F and 4 speed. 2F came to us in Jan of '75...
I've never owned a Toy 3-speed either.
A straight 6 will turn 33s and even go uphill, with 35s you will be downshifting on hills. Gear spread is better with the 4-speed.
I ran 35s for years SOA and it's very do-able, just takes planning when approaching long uphills.
Now with 37s, My 6 needed 4.88s to drive on the freeway...

 

[laguna80]

I've got a 3-spd in my Fj55 and a 4-spd in my 60. The 4-spd performs much better on highway/freeway driving IMO. Course it has a well maintained 2F as well.

 

[Pighead]

The 3-speed and the 4-speed both share a 1:1 ratio in high gear, but the diff ratio is different between the 55 and the 60. Also, the 60 is much more aerodynamic...

 

[laguna80]

The 3-speed and the 4-speed both share a 1:1 ratio in high gear, but the diff ratio is different between the 55 and the 60. Also, the 60 is much more aerodynamic...

I had always wondered about that.

 

[Pighead]

One would think that the improved aerodynamics of the 60 would be obvious to the meanest understanding...

 

[ToyotaJeep]

OK that helps. I am mainly looking for driveability with the 4-speed vs. the 3-speed. I remember the 3-speed and it was a weird thing driving it with 33's. 2nd gear was just wound to the hilt, and 3rd would slowly lose speed on the hill that I have to go up everyday. I think the gear spread of the 4-speed would have been enough.

I am hoping that the 4-speed mixed with the 35's should be about right with the downshifting on occasion. There is no worry here about towing a car trailer at 75. I just want to get where I am going with a minimum of fuss. I don't get onto 65 MPH hwys hardly ever.

Any kind of SPOA etc. will be in the distant future. I did a SPOA on my 75 FJ40 as well as several other rigs over the years.

I just want something with some clearance and ability to get around off road some. I have a trail rig that I use for the gnarly stuff.

Thank you for your help. We will see what comes with the purchase of this cruiser.

ROB

 

[snailwagon]

ONe of my pigs had a 3spd originally, and then I changed to a 4spd after about a year. The 1st gear in the 4spd is lower than the 3spd. The 4spd is also spaced like a car trans, making it super easy to drive. The 4spd is also capable of a lot of wheeling even with the car like ratios.

It was probably one of the better mods on that vehicle.

Take a look at the serial numbers on the engine block, that will easily identify F or 2F.