My H55F/Toybox install thread

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I got the new Toybox crossmember in and then modified factory crossmember out. Sorry for the crappy night pictures, but they are better than nothing. I know I need to get longer bolts to go through the frame. :D I put it in double low (~200:1) and immediately noticed a lot less movememnt in the shifters just from moving the mount back and evenly distributing the weight in the center more than hanging off the transmission.

DSCN0419.jpg


The plan is to add off of this crossmember and make a hoop that runs forward over the front driveshaft and incorporate a transmission mount that ties into the factory mounts.

DSCN0426.jpg


I should have some more updates coming up this week.


Dylan :popcorn:
 
That looks nice, Dylan. What will you do for a skid plate?
 
Thanks dude, it's slowly getting there. It is hard to describe, but basically my plan is to run a u-shaped hoop of off this crossmember and incorporate the transmission mount into that. I am also planning a hoop of off the back of the crossmember shown to protect the bottom of the split case. Once the hoops are welded in I plan on running tabs along the interior of the tube and welding nuts on the back side so that I can 'skin' the tubing with plate and bolt it in using countersunk bolts. It is weird to describe, but I'll show you soon.

I just tossed it in tonight to drive back home, I still need to file down the holes I drilled through the frame and clean up the welds. I'll get some better pics in the morning. . .

Dylan
 
Here is a litter better picture with some daylight.

DSCN0427.jpg


It doesn't hang down to low, about 2" below the bottom of the split case.

DSCN0432.jpg


This is going to be a challenge. I got the plates drilled for the front crossmember that I will weld the tube to in the stock crossmember location. The tube is going to need to come down under the exhaust for easy removal but I think I can get away with a serious notch and 90 degree bend. The clearance on the passenger side is better but the issue on that side is the driveshaft but I think I have an idea to get around that. :idea:

DSCN0446.jpg



Dylan :grinpimp:
 
boy that is an issue. looks like you should just pull it and swap it back to stock.

I would be willing to swap straight across if you like. :p:D

(actually it looks pretty good)

Clint
 
I forget. Did you have any problems with the the h55/toybox/split case running into the body? Is it short enough to still fit in the tunnel meant for the h55/split case?

Everything looks great. Must be nice to have a positive feel with the shifters.
 
Ducks said:
I forget. Did you have any problems with the the h55/toybox/split case running into the body? Is it short enough to still fit in the tunnel meant for the h55/split case?.
Click to expand...

I have a 1" body lift and I had clearance issues with the top of the split case hitting the body until I pushed the body up some but it is fine after that. Without the body lift you might have to push more of the body up but don't know if there would be enough room. You might have to drop the transmission mount down some. I am using the original cross member on my 82 now with a notch cut in it.

This new mount is looking great. I want to add more support for the toybox and need a skid plate.
 
Ducks said:
I forget. Did you have any problems with the the h55/toybox/split case running into the body? Is it short enough to still fit in the tunnel meant for the h55/split case?

Everything looks great. Must be nice to have a positive feel with the shifters.
Click to expand...

Kevin has it right, but I don't have a body lift so it made it a bit more difficult. Here is a picture of where the floorboard was massaged with a 5 lb sledge.

IMG_4375.jpg


Dylan
 
Not to much of an update on the crossmember. I was over at my buddies house and we kicked some ideas around on what to do with the front crossmember and I think we came up with a tricky way to get around the exhaust and front driveshaft. All I have so far is an oversized shock hoop :flipoff2: that is going to tie into the toybox crossmember. The 'feet' are going to be welded onto this hoop and then go into the frame. This isn't the strongest design possible but based on the parameters I think it will do. I was trying to think ahead and drill out a plate for the transmission base mount, but it is not going to work so I need make a new one and fit that to the hoop shown.

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Dylan
 
hey I have done some of my best thinking there as well. Just make sure your truck is in good working order and your winch is on the ready as I expect you to drag me through most of the Con'

Clint
 
Hahah, no problem dude, but I don't think it will be a problem.

Here are some updated pictures, sorry they suck. I'll get some better pics in the morning when I have some daylight. I am loving the way it is coming out!

It is still going to take some work to fit the transmission plate up to the tubing since we cut extra to fit it correctly but that shouldn't be to bad. I also need to pull it one more time and finish welding the top of the tubing connections and paint it. Almost there. . .


DSCN0461.jpg


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Dylan
 
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Looks awesome man!
Did you get a bender?
How come you went with bolts through the frame as opposed to welding a mount on the inside of the frame rail?

Sweet job!

When do you wanna wheel?

K
 
So you can't service the t-case without dropping the whole assembly?
 
Thanks Keith!

GLTHFJ60-
Not at all. The frame will stay intact if I ever need to service the t-case/MC box or transmission. I am going to 'skin' the tubing with 3/16 plate and make it removal for oil changes and services. I figure that if what I am going to do requires removing the drivetrain, removing the crossmember will not be a big deal.

I finished welding it tonight, so tomorrow I should have some pictures of it painted up all pretty.

Dylan
 
CaliCruiser said:
Thanks Keith!

GLTHFJ60-
Not at all. The frame will stay intact if I ever need to service the t-case/MC box or transmission. I am going to 'skin' the tubing with 3/16 plate and make it removal for oil changes and services. I figure that if what I am going to do requires removing the drivetrain, removing the crossmember will not be a big deal.

I finished welding it tonight, so tomorrow I should have some pictures of it painted up all pretty.

Dylan
Click to expand...

That's what I'm saying though. In order to split the case, will you have to remove the crossmember? Since you incorporated the tranny mount into the crossmember, you'd have to support everything with a jack, right?
 
Yes. I will need to support the drivetrain if I remove the crossmember. That is how it is sitting right now, because I have the crossmember out to finish it and paint it. The way the drivetrain sits in the transmission tunnel, there is no way you would be able to split the case and leave it attached to the transmission without removing anything. If i need to get into the slpit case I would just remove the crossmember and unbolt the toybox and split case as one assembly to work on it.

Dylan
 
I guess that's not too many extra steps, especially if you've got the right tools. It's certainly protected well, so good job!
 
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