H55F with toybox install on 82 FJ60

[NocalFJ60]

Some people have been asking about how I installed my toybox with a H55F 5 speed so here is a thread with some pictures and what I learned.

Mudrak installed the transfer case and toybox on a new H55F and I picked it up and dropped it in the cruiser. The top of the transfer case was really close to touching the body when I first installed it even with my 1" body lift. I pushed the body up some to allow more clearance at the back of the transfer case. The speedometer cable reached fine with the transfer case moved back. After installed everything and getting it running, I drove up to Mudrak's were he modified the crossmember for the front drive shaft. I had to modify the length of both my original driveshafts. I had Don at FC Fabrications install some twin stick transfer case shifters. I still have not got new carpet cut and installed.

The 1" body lift helped with clearance of the rear of the transfer case. I don't know if the transmission hump is different on earlier model FJ60's but that might help. A new crossmember also could drop everything down some which would help with the clearance without doing a body lift I am guessing. A 3F bell housing was used which also rotates everything clockwise behind it some compared to my original 2F bell housing. I am going to see how this works for now but am considering doing a custom rear crossmember in the future with added skid plate protection.

Hope this helps. Let me know what I left out and if anyone need anymore pictures or info.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/178851-norcalfj60s-new-twin-sticks.html

 

[NocalFJ60]

Picture showing the top of transfer case.

 

[FL cruiser]

great job!
I'm getting ready to put an H55/Toybox combo in my 82 FJ60 as well. Just waiting on the Toybox to show up. My truck already has a 3" lift, but I was planning to lift the engine/tranny up two inches, and maybe the front driveshaft will clear the crossmember. Will see what happens when I go to put it all in.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Interesting, and thanks for posting. I have been debating which tranny to run with a toybox in my 60. It has a new H55 installed now, but I just rebuilt an H42 into an H41 and was thinking of using that for the reason you identify--the combo gets long and hits the body. I'm going to go soa, and do not want a body lift if avoidable.

That's also the first good pic I've seen of that u channel mod to the crossmember. That looks good.

Did you do anything to support the Marlin box?

Any thoughts on the total length of stuff behind the rear cross member. I was thinking some additional mount would be a good thing, but maybe not.

 

[NocalFJ60]

Interesting, and thanks for posting. I have been debating which tranny to run with a toybox in my 60. It has a new H55 installed now, but I just rebuilt an H42 into an H41 and was thinking of using that for the reason you identify--the combo gets long and hits the body. I'm going to go soa, and do not want a body lift if avoidable.

That's also the first good pic I've seen of that u channel mod to the crossmember. That looks good.

Did you do anything to support the Marlin box?

Any thoughts on the total length of stuff behind the rear cross member. I was thinking some additional mount would be a good thing, but maybe not.

I don't like body lifts and would not go anymore than 1" but wanted the extra room for the tc and tires. The toybox is not supported now but if I added a new crossmember in the future with skid plates it would. I don't think it is really needed though just added protect to it all with a skid plate.

I can take some measurements. Just tell me what you need.

 

[NocalFJ60]

great job!
I'm getting ready to put an H55/Toybox combo in my 82 FJ60 as well. Just waiting on the Toybox to show up. My truck already has a 3" lift, but I was planning to lift the engine/tranny up two inches, and maybe the front driveshaft will clear the crossmember. Will see what happens when I go to put it all in.

You have a body lift? How you going to left the engine 2".

 

[Tvaldriz]

Great pics and write-up Kevin! Your rig is sweet the way its
set up.

 

[takeitforgranite]

Beefy!!! I like it. A lot. And it makes me want one.

 

[FL cruiser]

You have a body lift? How you going to left the engine 2".

Yeah, The truck already has a 3" body lift. I plan on fabbing up new engine and tranny mounts. Plan on using 1.75" DOM tubing with leaf spring type bushings installed that would be one side of the mount. the other side of the mount would be a 3" wide cradle with a 1/2" hole drilled through it. A 1/2" bolt would go through the cradle and rubber bushing. I'm figuring the mounts will be 2" taller that the stock mounts.
Also maybe it will eliminate motor mount breakage problems.

After examining your pics, it doesn't look like 2" of drive train lift will allow the front drive shaft to clear the cross member. Either a notched cross member like your will have to be done or maybe a cross member under the Toybox will be in the plans.

 

[lowtideride]

Yeah, The truck already has a 3" body lift. I plan on fabbing up new engine and tranny mounts. Plan on using 1.75" DOM tubing with leaf spring type bushings installed that would be one side of the mount. the other side of the mount would be a 3" wide cradle with a 1/2" hole drilled through it. A 1/2" bolt would go through the cradle and rubber bushing. I'm figuring the mounts will be 2" taller that the stock mounts.
Also maybe it will eliminate motor mount breakage problems.

After examining your pics, it doesn't look like 2" of drive train lift will allow the front drive shaft to clear the cross member. Either a notched cross member like your will have to be done or maybe a cross member under the Toybox will be in the plans.

Bottom of the toybox also has a mount you can use to move the x-member back.

I like the idea of the lifted drive train a little higher COG but with a near flat belly. You can just get a running start and slide over everything.


I always wanted a flat belly on my cruiser. The only way I found to do it is to run a D300.

 

[CaliCruiser]

Very nice Kevin, and good timing I am itching to do mine but still have some questions about the install. It seems like I need to call Mudrak instead of Marlin for my questions. Were you involved in the "putting-together" process at all? Did mudrak do the transmission crossmember mod too?

Dylan

 

[NocalFJ60]

Very nice Kevin, and good timing I am itching to do mine but still have some questions about the install. It seems like I need to call Mudrak instead of Marlin for my questions. Were you involved in the "putting-together" process at all? Did mudrak do the transmission crossmember mod too?

Dylan

No, I was not involved in bolted the transmission to the the toybox and tc. I drove it up to his place and he cut the crossmember and welded in the piece of steel cut to clear the front driveshaft. What questions you have about the install? I would start with Marlin and then call Gary if you need more info.

 

[CaliCruiser]

It is a 4.7 gear set correct? Did Gary swap the output shaft or cut it down? Also, are you front and rear drive lines about the same length now?

Dylan

 

[NocalFJ60]

It is a 4.7 gear set correct? Did Gary swap the output shaft or cut it down? Also, are you front and rear drive lines about the same length now?

Dylan

Yes, 4.7 is right. I don't know what he did. I think he told me but I forgot. The rear driveshaft is longer still. I can measure them.

 

[CaliCruiser]

Interesting. . . I'll have to dig more for answers. I keep hearing conflicting information about what to do in the setup process. Thanks for the pics Kevin.

Dylan

 

[REKCUT]

I had Don at FC Fabrications install some twin stick transfer case shifters. I still have not got new carpet cut and installed

Who makes the twin sticks and where did you get them or did FC make them?

 

[Ducks]

So is that a Tuffy console that fits with your toybox?

 

[NocalFJ60]

Who makes the twin sticks and where did you get them or did FC make them?

Don made them at http://www.fcfabrication.com/contact.html and used a shift boot from Advanced Adapaters.

 

[NocalFJ60]

So is that a Tuffy console that fits with your toybox?

It is one from CCOT I bought years ago. It is really close but does not touch it.

 

[FL cruiser]

It is a 4.7 gear set correct? Did Gary swap the output shaft or cut it down?

There is a new thread on this subject on the Marlin forum
4.7 toybox install questions behind a h55f

It looks like the H55 output shaft gets cut down. I guess this means the tranny doesn't need to be disassembled like and H42/H41 for a new output shaft install.

This is great news to hear!