Need excuses for the wife.

[BigWaxer]

I have a 88 FJ62 and I am sad to report the Tranny basically died last week. I knew it would happen sooner or later because a few months ago I started having some troubles.

I do not trust anyone to rebuild it as most of the shops in my area say they have only worked on A440F once or twice if at all. That’s not good news to my ears and I would never let them touch my truck.

I called our local dealer and will bring it in on Mon. He gave me a ballpark max of 4500 if the worst case was they had to swap it with a remanufactured.

Wife wants to part ways and honestly I cannot let that happen as I love this truck. It goes everywhere, engine is strong and still runs great (have 212k on it.)

I don't have the experience to swap out a used tranny otherwise I would. My wife says take that 4500 and buy another truck and sell this one. I can't part with it now; it’s an emotional thing as I have bonded HAHAH.

Does anyone have good excuses to tell the wife as to why should I keep it?

I already tried the – Well if I spend another 4500 in a good 4x4 it’s going to have miles, its going to need work and it will never be the LC. We pay the $4,500 here then we have a good reliable truck as the engine is running great.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

Only bad thing about your logic is what if (knock on wood) you do have motor trouble?

Then it will be a "I told you so , moron" kinda thing...

I would try and hook up with some local cruiser guys, you should be able to do something much cheaper than $4500...

Then she will think you are smart and resourceful, and you can save some of that towards future motor work....

(I have 230K, so I've been thinking about that one, too!)

Good Luck

 

[cahilc]

...

4. Honey ... You look *good* driving a Cruiser ...

3. Honey ... Any other vehicle is gonna make your butt look fat ...

2. Honey ... This color vehicle compiments your complexion ...

And reason number #1 for keeping and repairing the Cruiser ...

1. Honey ... We're gonna need a big, safe vehicle if we want to start that family ... *gulp* ...



Cahil

 

[BigWaxer]

HAHAH Cahilc I like your #3...

Carolina trust me she has already brought that up. My point to her was well if I take the 4500 and buy another 4x4 (thats the only option for me and has to be a camping hauler) then eventually the same thing will happen. If we have Toyota replace our tranny, engine whatever by that time I am looking at another good 100K miles.

\Over the last year we have only put about 12K on it. I never want to get rid of it, hell the wife is first before my LC LOL J/K HONEY!

 

[3pits]

GUYS I got a good used one, and there are plenty of used trannys around, not that much to install, very easy,, I got almost 300k on my original tranny and have very little slop in my outpt shaft

the guys around here say they can rebuild for 1600, 1200 in parts,, look around dont be too scared I think a good tranny shop does not need that much experience on a particular tranny to be able to do it right,, it is not like they are all that different,,,, contact the guy in AUS about your failure, he might be able to point you in a good direction,,

tell her NO,, it is your vehicle and you want to keep it,, it can do more and will last longer than most vehics out there,,


and hell if you cave, can I buy it CHEAP??

good luck!

 

[Cookiemonster]

Big Waxer, PM Norcal Doug or Cruiser Drew. Both live in "Sacramento area." These guys might be able to point you in the right direction for the Sac area. Good luck with the Sutter area, I use to live up there when I was working for Yuba Co. SO.

 

[azaussie]

Sorry, no excuses for the wife but Rodney from Wholesale Automatic Transmissions in Australia can have "a complete rebuilt standard Transmission already fitted with the Extreme Valve Body delivered to your nearest major city for $2694 . Just a thought.

 

[IH8Wood]

I think $4500 is way too expensive. If it was my truck, I'd probably put a used one in. The good thing about your situation is, now your wife's expectations are that your truck is going to be very expensive to fix. If you can tell her it's only going to cost $1500, you'll look like a hero. Better yet, by a parts truck and set it on blocks in your front yard. Soon she'll be begging you to spend $4500.

 

[Satamax]

Go H55F! Might be cheaper.

Just tell the wife you're keeping it, and punch her face if she says no

 

[cahilc]

Hmmm ...

Ask to talk to the *builder* at the dealership. *Builder* is the term used in the industry for the mechanic who actually *builds* the transmission or correct term would be re-build the transmission. Builders are top dollar mechanics especially for automatic transmissions. Most of the automatic trans builders have learned their trade on-the-job. Rebuild manuals for auto trans are rare and contain little if no actual useful information.

I'd be surprised if a dealership has an actual builder working for them. I'd bet chances are little to none that if the dealership has a auto trans builder ... and ... the builder has rebuilt a 440A trans. I'd bet the dealship will out source the trans rebuild on your truck, reflective of the price.

Builders get top dollar for their work and are *very* high in demand. Auto trans builders are top of the food chain in the automobile repair industry.

That being said ...

I'd take a long hard look at a manual trans conversion to a H55F ...

My 0.02 cents,
Cahil

 

[patride71]

if its not your DD, then shop around for a used one or at least just make sure you buy the parts yourself, then if you don't or can't install it yourself, then shop around for a decent mechanic....of course the best idea so far seems to be going with a manual conversion to h55f, then no worries!

if it boils down to having to shell out the $4500, then why not keep the 62 for parts or a future tranny project/trail rig project and go spend the $4500 on another 62 or a 60? you can find a pretty decent one for that price.

good luck!

 

[Mike S]

Call Gary at Mudrak Custom Cruisers in Sonoma, CA.

He can fix it, or swap in an H55F for a lot less than your dealer is quoting you.

He is a great cruiser mechanic, ONLY cruisers.

Mike

 

[BigWaxer]

Thank You all for the help.

I will PM the above mentioned and also call Gary at Mudrak. I like the idea of converting to a H55F, if the price seems decent then the only problem will be driving/getting the truck to Sonoma.

 

[nuclearlemon]

i'll second gary...great guy. also, if you do go the route of speaking to the "builder", if he is an in house mechanic, many mechanics do side work. that's another option.

 

[87CRUSR]

It has to cost less. Look for an alternative. Preferably the 5 speed and with a little of your own elbow grease some felow Crusier heads can help bring the cost down considerably. good luck.

 

[PolterGeist]

Buy a used tranny for way cheaper than $4500 and a couple cases of beer, post your address and the the time beer will be available.

I'm sure someone will show up to help you out. ( I would if I were in the area-- anything to keep a cruiser fan connected to his cruiser)

Steve

 

[Lion-O]

No exuses, Just beg. Chicks dig that...lol