Is the skid plate for a H55F any different than the 4 speed skid plate on my 1980 FJ40?
H55F skid plate
- Thread starter tstepp920
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brian
SILVER Star
More than likely
What with the 5 speed putting the transfer case farther to the rear than would be with the 4 spd
What with the 5 speed putting the transfer case farther to the rear than would be with the 4 spd
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I have a skid plate from a 80 FJ40 with a four speed and single piece case. Also have a skid plate for a 82 FJ40 with a four speed. Finally have a skid plate from a 83 BJ42 with a five speed. The five speed is longer but would bolt directly on a 8/80 and later that had a four speed with a crossmember. The hole for the bolts or rivots do not line up whose on a 80 FJ40.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Update: I actually checked this out installing a five speed skid plate into my 79 FJ40. My mistake I must have been comparing a three speed skid plate because the five speed skid plate does bolt up in the correct location on my 79.
- Thread starter
- #6
Could you post a photo of the 5 speed skid plate.
1911
chupacabra
If you want real protection, you might check with Iron Pig Off Road - they make a heavy-duty skid plate that is big enough to go under an Orion; it might accommodate an H55 as well, I imagine they would know.
IPOR FJ40 Skid Plate
IPOR FJ40 Skid Plate
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
I can snap some pictures tomorrow.
Never have a issue with the factory skid plates. Even the skid plates on my FJ62 have been fine for over twenty-five years. But I don't rock crawl my cruisers. Also go to all the effort of locating and installing the correct H55F top cover perfer the correct skid plate as well. Takes more effort to install the crossmember than bolt on a skid plate.
Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Forgot about it yeaterday. Here are some. You can see the bolt holes do in fact line up. Have a 82 FJ40 four speed around some where as well. If you need anymore like me know.
- Thread starter
- #10
well it looks like I am in need of a H55F skid plate...........
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
I still have my 78 skid plate and has been soaking in solvent and should take it out and power wash it off. Have you put a 4 speed skid pan on a 78 frame with the H55F crossmember? I was thinking about using square turbine or C-channel for spacers or just split it.
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Living in the Past
SILVER Star
Technically there isn't a H55F only crossmember. The crossmember started 8/80 along with the split transfer case. Only difference is when the H55F started 10/82 the center crossmember changed to clear the front driveshaft moved further back with the longer H55F. With four speed should work with either style of crossmember. If you choose to run a crossmember trimming the four speed skid should work. Just line up the mounting hole to figure where to cut across the front. If you plan on running H55F not sure how it would work leaving full length and drill new hole. Transmission drain would be blocked and may not clear the skid plate.
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
The H55F, crossmember after market came with the kit, and transfer case are already in place. The bellhousing is bolted in, in the same location it was with the 4 speed so yes the output flanges on the transfer case are 3" back. The motor mounts on the 2F bellhousing were the datum for the drive train location then bolted up the crossmember and welded to the frame and pre existing bolt holes on the inside of the frame is where the R2.8 motor mounts were located using bolts to set them and install the drive train and tack everything.
I have been looking at old threads on this issue and saw flat was used as a shim between the skid plate and the frame. If I can pull that off it would work great but instead of a continues length of flat bar I may need to do 2 piece for the crossmember welded plates on the frame. Wont know until I lift up the skid plate with my transmission jack to see if it is feasible before buying material.
I have a hole saw kit and can drill new holes for the drain plugs.
I have been looking at old threads on this issue and saw flat was used as a shim between the skid plate and the frame. If I can pull that off it would work great but instead of a continues length of flat bar I may need to do 2 piece for the crossmember welded plates on the frame. Wont know until I lift up the skid plate with my transmission jack to see if it is feasible before buying material.
I have a hole saw kit and can drill new holes for the drain plugs.
POPO AGIE
SILVER Star
I pulled the skid plate out of the solvent it has been soaking in for months and was going to power wash it but as usual the power washer wouldn't start. Was going to rinse of with the hose and nozzle had been frozen so no control ran to town and got another nozzle and rinsed the skid plate off.. Wire wheeled it some then tried to check the fit.
Rolled under the truck and lifted it up with the jack and found I had broken off at least two the bolts that need to be dealt with. It fits rear of the the cross member and if any mod needs to be done on the skid plate it will be minor at the front, and it will cover the transfer case and the drain plugs look accessible. Looks like new holes will need to be drilled and tapped for the mounting bolts because the transfer case is 3" back because of the OD section of the transmission.
I will need to use flat bar to shim the pan down to clear the bottom of the transfer case and get the alignment right so the pan can be bolted to both frame rails. I am thinking of bolting the flat bar to the frame where the skid plate use to bolt to and then drill and tap the flat bar for mounting the pan.
Rolled under the truck and lifted it up with the jack and found I had broken off at least two the bolts that need to be dealt with. It fits rear of the the cross member and if any mod needs to be done on the skid plate it will be minor at the front, and it will cover the transfer case and the drain plugs look accessible. Looks like new holes will need to be drilled and tapped for the mounting bolts because the transfer case is 3" back because of the OD section of the transmission.
I will need to use flat bar to shim the pan down to clear the bottom of the transfer case and get the alignment right so the pan can be bolted to both frame rails. I am thinking of bolting the flat bar to the frame where the skid plate use to bolt to and then drill and tap the flat bar for mounting the pan.
