I am converting a 1976 FJ45 with a 12HT and H55 Gearbox out of a HJ61. I am interested in upgrading to a coil over suspension system. Any advice on the EASIEST way to do this??
HJ45 12HT Conversion (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter WillyW
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
- Thread starter
- #3
Hi Mike, good questions that I don't necessarily know the answer to yet. This is a build with my 15 year old son as his first car. Just trying to make. Build something cool. I saw this McKinnons cruiser (McKinnon's Cruisers - https://www.mckinnonscruisers.com/) with coil over and I was intrigued. Basically trying to build some thong cool that can handle some good offroad 4WD. Was looking to see if there is any info out there that could assist.
You will need HJ47 or early HJ60 (Pre 1985) mounting hardware and a bell housing for the 12HT into your FJ45. Full photo set here showing the mounts etc:
photos.app.goo.gl
Your other challenge will be a transmission cross member.
Personally.. I dont get the obsession with coils, sure, a nicer ride to some degree but the chassis wasnt designed for them and you'll just end up with helper coils and leafs to retain the diff position without a great deal of engineering. My HJ47 goes from one side of Australia to the other most years and I manage just fine, its comfortable enough and I sometimes pull 1000klm days.
Maybe a Pretendy 40 build could be more your thing (40 on an 80 chassis).
2H Engine Mounts HJ47/HJ60 (Early and Late) · Oct 11, 2022âââJul 3, 2025 ð¸
Shared album · Tap to view!
photos.app.goo.gl
Your other challenge will be a transmission cross member.
Personally.. I dont get the obsession with coils, sure, a nicer ride to some degree but the chassis wasnt designed for them and you'll just end up with helper coils and leafs to retain the diff position without a great deal of engineering. My HJ47 goes from one side of Australia to the other most years and I manage just fine, its comfortable enough and I sometimes pull 1000klm days.
Maybe a Pretendy 40 build could be more your thing (40 on an 80 chassis).
Done three 12ht conversions myself and it's relatively easy when you want to know.
Big thing are:
-Engine mounts (I do have a jig to make these)
-Cross member, I suggest a 60 or 70 one the ends cut off.
-Manual 4x4 conversion for the h55 transfer case (assuming it's vac at the moment)
-Driveshaft lengths & 12v vs 24v depending on what the motor/truck are
Lots of good builds on here when you go looking, link to mine in my signature. Quite a lot of photos and explanation there.
Big thing are:
-Engine mounts (I do have a jig to make these)
-Cross member, I suggest a 60 or 70 one the ends cut off.
-Manual 4x4 conversion for the h55 transfer case (assuming it's vac at the moment)
-Driveshaft lengths & 12v vs 24v depending on what the motor/truck are
Lots of good builds on here when you go looking, link to mine in my signature. Quite a lot of photos and explanation there.
