Help me justify a H55F! (estimate V8-FJ60 value) (1 Viewer)

[mica]

Sorry this post isn't really technical (couldn't find a better forum), . . . but the wife made me do it.

Ok, here's the deal: I'd like to install a H55F 5-speed manual in our '85 V8-equipped FJ60 while I have the tranny out to remedy some clutch "issues." I can justify the expense in SO, so many ways, but the wife is interested in the possibility of return-on-investment (just in-case we decide to sell). Therefore, we're curious what value the community would place on a rig outfitted as follows (perhaps a value-range):

1985 (built 10/85) FJ60, silver exterior, grey interior (with new full carpet kit and new vinyl on the front seat bottoms), Chevy 350 (Advance Adapter kit with Jasper crate engine -- all new internals), Holley 600cfm 4bbl, Centerforce Clutch components, nice base-coat/clear-coat PPG paint job, no rust, new stock-style chrome wheels, 31x10.50 general A/T tires, heavy-duty shackles (around 2" lift), very nice-and-clean looking with no problems (by the time we sell it that is), AND A FACTORY-NEW H55F GENUINE TOYOTA 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

So, any opinions on what she'd fetch? Sorry again for the non-technical post.

Thanks,

Mica

 

[75pinz]

5500 max

No offense, as nice as a V8 is most folks who know anything are afraid of cobbled engine swaps. me included. good luck. do it because you want to and need to fix a problem.

 

[mica]

No offense taken. Completely understood. I plan on making it right before we'd ever sell it, but the buyer doesn't know if I'm a hack or not . . . very true.

Mica

 

[Mike S]

Do it because it will make a better truck. If you want ROI, invest in real estate.

Mike S

 

[MO60]

I have tried to justify it as well, but the bottom line is that you are not going to get that money back when you sell the truck. Commit to owning the truck for life, and knowing that its going to drive so much better with the 5 speed.

 

[Landpimp]

no opinion on value of the whole rig, but if I found a cruiser with a H55F installed, in good shape and the install done right, it would be worth polly $1000-+ over the SAME cruiser with a stock 4 speed.

I am kicking myself for not droping one in when I did the clutch and stuff on my 60 a year ago, I would like to have one......but for my use of the 60 its(H42) really not an issue.........the 100 is for long distance driving now. Hey theres an idea, tell the wife she needs a 100 and you get a H55F

 

[V8FJ60]

Hello, Wife here...

So, one good reason to drive a car with classic appeal, like a LC, is that it doesn't depreciate. I think a truck with a 5 speed actually is more valuable than one with the stock tranny to the right buyer. The question is how much?

Maybe $1000 is reasonable? I guess somehow adding that to the value of the vehicle offsets the cost of the part a bit.

It certainly would make for a better highway tow vehicle, which is one of our needs. It would get better fuel ecconomy.

As for keeping the truck forever... The LC is rather ultimate frome a fun to drive yet practical family car that's eyecatching and tows the boat well, but I personally have been through 9 cars and 2 motorcycles in the past 4 years. And I only lost money on the 2 that I bought new. (which is why I'll never buy new again) I don't see why we would sell it, but you never know.

Oh, I don't like an automatic transmission, and the 60 is so much cooler than the 100.

 

[75pinz]

I suspect you would have to sell it to a LC person to see any of that money back. Most people who ride in mine don't even notice it only has four gears. I figure it would also take a lot of time to spend 2k on the difference between 11 mpg and 12 or 13 mpg. Do it because you like it. Justifying it because of the other reasons will probably be a disappointment down the road.

 

[V8FJ60]

Oh, and I think our 4 speed might have 198k miles on it. It's not exactly crisp. Maybe that's a possiable justification for the expense.

 

[WALoeIII]

Do it because it will make your truck sweet. Never get what you put in with mods. I've seen guys with WRXs (30k new at the time) with 20k mods, and they are selling them for 15. Modifying a car is not something you do to turn a profit.

 

[Aseif007]

Do it, I am headed that way with my FJ-62 and the toyota dealer sells them for ~$1,565.

 

[mica]

~$1565!!??

Man, PM me the name of that dealer. That's even cheaper than the quote I got ($1867 with the 5-spd shifter, and the oiler dealie).

For the record, I agree with Landpimp . . . as a landcruiser buyer, a FJ60 with a H55F installed in a non-bastardized manner, with the correct shifter, in the stock location, etc. would add at least $1K to the value of the rig . . . but don't listen to me, . . . I'm biased.

Thanks,

Mica

 

[devo]

When you changed to a V8 it changed your marketability forever. There will be a whole group of people that will not even concider your 60 because of the V8. But a five speed is more desirable and works well with the V8.
Since your 60 has already been Chevy-fied why not concider a tranny that is better suited for that engine, like an NV4500?
devo

 

[cruiserdan]

Greg hasn't replied yet so I will toss this bit out:

He put an H55 in his 60 and then fitted a NEW TBI 350 sometime later. His 60 is one of the VERY nicest I have ever seen and the H55 along with his anal-retentive V8 conversion with all new parts is a beautiful example. I would be proud to call it my own.

Clearly an H55 equipped 60 is worth more than an equivilant example without one. On the other hand, it will not make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

 

[FJRI]

I think it would be a great mod. Like others have said, any rig is a money pit so it's not really an investment....but...if you go to sell it and the buyer has knowledge of cruisers you should be in better shape than if you did not have it.....kinda like selling a house with a big horse barn...if it ain't a horse person, they ain't gonna pay much more for it, if anything.

 

[Aseif007]

The only thing I would be worried about would be that H55F tranny, if I were buying that rig. IMHO I would not want a used H55F because I hear they are a pain to rebuild, I think that just has to do with acquiring parts and their prices. I am not %100 on this, I have been doing lots or research and decided to spend the dough and get it new because down the line it will save me money. Also, the V-8 would make me even more worried as a buyer. But that is just me, I like to think of every possible bad senario. I would normally think of the H55F as being an advatage while looking at TLCs with stock motors. I know the H55F will be a vast improvement over my 300,000 mile A440F. Good luck.

 

[gifu]

on a side note... those longer shackles will effect the castor of the front axle (though, you will barely notice it with 31.50 tires.). I'd throw some 2 or 4 degree shims in there, to correct the castor. It will make it handle much nicer on the highway (tracks better). There's a guy named Roger Brown who sells machined, steel shims (if you search for 4crawler you will find his site).

I sold my beat-up V8J60 with H55f (and Marks Crawler Gears) for close to 9K. BUT, it didn't have a straiight body panel on it (rubicon, fordcye, mexico, etc). I mean... it was beat. My friend sold his nearly identical truck (but clean, new paint) for 13,500 about two months ago. But, California has a different market.

 

[Mike S]

More justification:

Don't know that anybody gave you ammo. Here is some...

H55F will reduce wear and tear on the engine

H55F will increase gas mileage

H55F will provide better highway speed (lower trip times)

H55F will increase retail value

Sounds like you need a new tranny soon anyway - what's the difference in price?

Mike S

 

[gifu]

will also reduce overall noise on the highway (lower engine speed=less noise). Which in turn will decrease fatigue while driving. which in turn will reduce stress. which in turn will reduce money spent on counseling later in life. money which could then be spent on your kid's education. smartifcating future generations. smarter future generations will find solutions to green house gases and war and poverty, effectively saving out planet from total self-annihilation.

i wouldn't say it's the only solution to peace on earth, but it's close.

H55f... it's the gift that keeps on giving all year 'round.

 

[PabloCruise]

Yep, what all these guys said!

Do it! (In my best Ben Stiller voice)

I am constantly reaching for my no-existant 5th gear in my H42 equipped 40 b/c my Civic has 5 sweet gears. Makes all the difference.