FJ40 Fairey Overdrive Unit is Toast. Help!

[maxbrownr8]

Hello! I have a fairey overdrive unit installed in a 1975 Toyota Land Cruiser that failed on me. Wondering if you know of somewhere I could have it rebuilt, source parts for it, or just buy a new unit all together. I’m pretty new to the Land Cruiser world and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JohnnyC]

Rebuild … NO
New…. NO

They are discontinued and obsolete

There are a few guys with parts however they most likely will not part with the parts (pun intended lol) because they are nonexistent now and will one day need the parts themselves

If it’s the input gear that’s bad you could see about getting it made

What is the issue with it?

 

[maxbrownr8]

Yeah, that’s what I’ve been reading. Thanks for the reply @JohnnyC! This is a pic of the teeth that are missing from what I assume is the input gear shaft? I don’t have experience with these or rebuilding gearboxes. If I could have that made up somewhere, that’d be great!

 

[maxbrownr8]

I’ve read about 5 speed conversions but I don’t have the shop space, time or cash for something like that at the moment. Just wanted the option to cruise a bit more comfortably on the highway.

 

[cruisermatt]

Your best bet would be to put a standard transfer case back in it, and install 3.70 gears in the axles.
Since you are in the Bay area it would really be worth your while to give Valley Hybrids a call.

 

[Living in the Past]

I would suggest pulling the OD off the transmission output shaft. Inspect the splines on the pieces that fit on the transmission shaft. What you have is more than standard wear. The parts with splines that fit the tailshaft have standard west are and are the hardest to fine. If they are worn you probably best to forget trying fix the OD.

 

[maxbrownr8]

Thank you so much for all the advice and information! I think I’m just going to give up on the overdrive idea for the time being.

 

[FJ404345]

Thank you so much for all the advice and information! I think I’m just going to give up on the overdrive idea for the time being.

You can do that, or have patience and have the money ready, there will show up a unit once in a while that you can replace yours with.

 

[Living in the Past]

You can do that, or have patience and have the money ready, there will show up a unit once in a while that you can replace yours with.

While searching I would do my homework on the Fairey OD. I collected my many years ago when they were already discontinued but some parts still could be found. Today finding good parts for rare parts that normally wear is going to be very difficult. I would be sure any complete unit that all those wear parts are in good shape. Over the years I sold a few of those over the years. But hanging to the few spares I have left. The obvious parts I have plenty of is needle bearings. The couple of used overdrives I bought cheap years ago I had new replacement parts to rebuild them.

 

[65swb45]

LITP has given you solid advice: tear the unit down and make a full assessment before you start throwing money at it. I have the gear you are looking for, but I’d rather not sell it unless and until you determine that it’s all you need (which I highly doubt)

 

[maxbrownr8]

Ended up going to Valley Hybrids in Stockton and spending the day walking around the shop and asking all sorts of questions. By the end of it I was leaving with a good used transmission/transfer case and front and rear 3.70 gears! Georg and everyone there was such a great help.

 

[peesalot]

X2, Georg & crew are top notch.

 

[JohnnyC]

X2, Georg & crew are top notch.

X3

 

[Living in the Past]

Ended up going to Valley Hybrids in Stockton and spending the day walking around the shop and asking all sorts of questions. By the end of it I was leaving with a good used transmission/transfer case and front and rear 3.70 gears! Georg and everyone there was such a great help.

If have decided to remove the Fairey OD I would buy the four upper studs that mount the OD to the transfer case. Once the OD using two nuts tighten against each other then using the inner nut to remove the stud is what has worked best for me.