New crossmember needed for 1971 J55 on a 4-speed swap?

[Road Hog]

I've been using AI (co-pilot) to help in swapping out the 3-speed on my J55. It insists that I need a 4-speed transmission crossmember (1975-1980) because
If you try to run an H42 in the early J55 configuration:

• The bellhousing will crack
• The block ears can crack
• The transmission will sag
• The transfer case will twist the rear mount
• The shifter will bind
• The driveshaft angles will be wrong.

If this is the case, does anyone have a source for the crossmember or an adaptor that will work? I have an Advance adaptor set up on my other cruiser but that was for a V-8 modification. I found a similar crossmember (link below), but I'm hoping to get some other opinions from y'all Thanks

Advanced Adapters Transfer Case Rear Cross Member for 1963-1980 55-Series Toyota Land Cruisers - BTB Products - Land Cruiser Restoration and Parts

Advanced Adapters Transfer Case Rear Cross Member for 1969-1980 55-Series Toyota Land Cruisers. This mount is specific to fit FJ55 Toyota Land Cruisers.

btbprod.com

 

[3_puppies]

assuming you are using stock engine?
all trans up to and including 1980 used the same setup, hanging the trans off the bellhousing
if using stock bellhousing with mounts to frame there is no crossmember used or needed

 

[Road Hog]

assuming you are using stock engine?
all trans up to and including 1980 used the same setup, hanging the trans off the bellhousing
if using stock bellhousing with mounts to frame there is no crossmember used or needed

Thanks! yes stock engine. It looks to be an F2 155. 3-speed bellhousing at present, but I plan on picking up the right one along with the throw bearing. I do plan on using the old pressure plate with a new disc

 

[Road Hog]

Thanks! yes stock engine. It looks to be an F2 155. 3-speed bellhousing at present, but I plan on picking up the right one along with the throw bearing. I do plan on using the old pressure plate with a new disc

out, throw out bearing. . .

 

[Jdc1]

out, throw out bearing. . .

It’s probably picking up the 4 speed parking brake drum will hit the tubular crossmember on the early 40s. It needs to be rotated towards the rear.

 

[3_puppies]

Thanks! yes stock engine. It looks to be an F2 155. 3-speed bellhousing at present, but I plan on picking up the right one along with the throw bearing. I do plan on using the old pressure plate with a new disc

you can not mix and match clutch components, you can use either the entire 3 finger clutch setup or an entire diaphragm style clutch setup with either a 3 or 4 speed
everything from flywheel to pivot ball needs to be 1 style or the other

It’s probably picking up the 4 speed parking brake drum will hit the tubular crossmember on the early 40s. It needs to be rotated towards the rear.

the OP is working on a 55 series

 

[Jdc1]

you can not mix and match clutch components, you can use either the entire 3 finger clutch setup or an entire diaphragm style clutch setup with either a 3 or 4 speed
everything from flywheel to pivot ball needs to be 1 style or the other



the OP is working on a 55 series

Yes, i’m not familiar with the 55s but AI is only as good as the internet….

 

[Road Hog]

you can not mix and match clutch components, you can use either the entire 3 finger clutch setup or an entire diaphragm style clutch setup with either a 3 or 4 speed
everything from flywheel to pivot ball needs to be 1 style or the other



the OP is working on a 55 series

I see what you're saying, I'm keeping the 3-finger clutch style, I'm just replacing the old disc and throw out bearing along with resurfacing the flywheel (I had to pull out my Hayne's) It's my understanding I could use the 4-speed by changing the bellhousing and retaining the rest of the components

 

[3_puppies]

I see what you're saying, I'm keeping the 3-finger clutch style, I'm just replacing the old disc and throw out bearing along with resurfacing the flywheel (I had to pull out my Hayne's) It's my understanding I could use the 4-speed by changing the bellhousing and retaining the rest of the components

yes that is correct, change the bellhousing and use all the 3 finger components, don't forget to change the pivot ball. on the bellhousing

 

[Living in the Past]

It’s probably picking up the 4 speed parking brake drum will hit the tubular crossmember on the early 40s. It needs to be rotated towards the rear.

If the FJ55 is like the FJ45 the torque is a lot further back. I did add a four speed to my 68 FJ40 over thirty years ago. I did not have to modify the torque tube or tub. Few washers on the front motor mounts to angle the transmission and transfer down a little was all that was required. Tight fit at the hand brake and torque but did clear.