FJ62/H55F conversion owners - question

[qldunipolo]

I just got through with pulling the auto and installing the 5 speed manual. The result is very pleasing and I don't miss the weak 2nd gear from the A440F.

My question is what did you do to secure the rear exhaust pipe coming from the manifold to the cat converter?

Mine was bolted to the old bell housing that had two tapped holes that the bracket on the pipe was secured to. The bell housing I used from an 87 didn't have the holes and through the project just didn't think about it. If I had been on the ball I'd have tapped holes in the side of the replacement bell housing for the exhaust pipe bracket but now its all together and pulling the transmission is really inconvenient at present. Now it is held in place by the stock hanger brackets on the frame and at the flange below the manifold.

That pipe needs to be pulled now for an exhaust leak coming either from the flange or a broken weld below the flange on the pipe so if I'm going to address this another way than pulling the transmission and tapping the bell housing now is the time.

Individual experience and/or comments most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Mike M

 

[Bryan062087]

This is not an answer to your question, but did you re-use the fj62 brake pedal? Enough room with the clutch?

 

[qldunipolo]

Old Brake Pedal

No, I didn't use the old brake pedal assembly. I replaced the entire pedal bucket with one from an 87 manual, which consists of a brake and clutch pedal assembly and arms.

I had read where someone used the existing pedal bucket and modified it for a clutch, but wasn't clear on how that was done.

Mike

 

[Cruiserdrew]

This is not an answer to your question, but did you re-use the fj62 brake pedal? Enough room with the clutch?

Best to just get a complete pedal bucket from a 60 and not try to re-use the pedal.

 

[Joe_E]

My question is what did you do to secure the rear exhaust pipe coming from the manifold to the cat converter?

On my '87 the bracket is attached to the ears of the tranny as shown in this pic. If this is the bracket you are indeed talking about.
Hope that helps.

 

[qldunipolo]

Thanks Joe_E

I forgot to mention in my original post that I have an 89.

When I can get out and look when its light again, I'll get underneath and see if i can find those tabs. Maybe I'll be able to configure something if they're on the one I have.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Rusty Pig]

I also drive an 89 and have been contemplating the tranny swap. It appears your initial response is positive. What are some more of your thoughts on the conversion and the overall performance after the swap? Do you have a list of all the parts required from a donor vehicle? Would you do it again and what was the worst/most difficult part of the conversion. Thanks in advance for your responses, just needing some positive reinforcement to start collecting parts for this conversion.

 

[qldunipolo]

Not being greatly technical about the result, let me say that the performance is pretty right on with what others on this board and some others on the web have said after the change. My engine was/is in pretty good shape and operating order and the 5 speed makes is seem more "muscular". It very much drives like a truck. No mistaking it for anything else now. The auto had 255+ K miles and was gstarting to demand serious attention. From research the cost of a quality rebuild, that may or may not last, versus the H55f conversion seemed to me to be a push if I wasn't paying for labor. The truck has been with me since new and a 5 speed would make it like a new vehicle for me. How could I lose?

I researched posts here at mud and elsewhere. Three threads that I relied a lot upon are:

Dunbar's IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Installing H55F with FJ62 '89 Split T-Case

Cavecreekcruiser's https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/81038-installing-h55f-fj62-89-split-t-case.html

and

Orangefj45's https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/125194-fj62-out-auto-crawler.html#post1660920

Also at offroad.com - FJ62 auto to H55F conversion

if these as links don't work then a search using their user names and H55f and five speed will get you there. Parts I procured from the vendors frequently mentioned here and at 3fe list. All performed pretty much as represented by other's experiences. Which may or may not be a good thing. Everyone that I "talked" to was great though.

I would buy new from the start all of the clutch components as is suggested in those threads. The big iron, ie: bell housing, propeller shafts, crossmember, transmission mount, transmission tunnel cover, pedal bucket with clutch pedal, shifter boot, shifter lever etc. used was fine. Do the transfer case rebuild as someone has recommended. Get the longer bolts for the transfer case to the transmission. I should have been more aware of the exhaust mount on the old bell housing (purpose of my original post).

I haven't seriously pulled a wrench since the early 80's when it was out of necessity to get vehicles on the road while in school. I had help on this but feel if I had an adequate location to work on it I could have done it alone. With the proper tools of course. A good transmission jack is important. I had access to a lift upon which the truck could stay for an extended period of time. Working on my back, it could have been done, but not as easily as in the air. I'm getting old. Ha

I'd have to say that the experiences in those posts were very accurate.

That's all I can think of now off the top of my head. Its a great project. Its a different truck, and for the better I believe. If you don't mind working a clutch and shifting gears you will find it to be very satisfying and won't miss the A440f.

Regards,

Mike