New FJ40 H55 top plate reproduction project: Interest? Price Tolerance?

If available today, much would you pay for a h55 top cover kit specific to the FJ40?

  • Total voters
    60

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T

teleskier

10 Year
Joined
Aug 18, 2015
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Location
Austin, TX
This is BACK AGAIN!

I am gauging Mud community interest in reproduction NEW FJ40 h55 transmission top covers which would be created from exacting standards based on a never-used new FJ40 H55 top cover and existing 3d scans.

These were a rare rainbow-unicorn item and never supplied on US Fj40s. But, the H55 remains in production and readily available.

This topic has come up multiple times in the past but never materialized. There are lots of reasons its never been done and I am aware of them. Because we feel uniquely positioned to deliver, @bottombracket, @ERNRAM, @orangefj45 and I want to gauge some interest again; we are all in Austin and have each spent considerable money or time or expertise on this. Here is what we have:
  • CAD drawings: @ERNRAM
  • NOS fj40 top cover: @teleskier
  • Used Aussie FJ40 cross member: @teleskier
  • Used Aussie raised late model inspection cover: @teleskier
  • Metal casting contact: @bottombracket
  • Master technical expertise: @orangefj45
Casting can be very accurate because we have not only the 3d scans, but also a never-before-used original to compare and quality check the casting/machining. Fabrication in low volume is not worth it, so the price will be determined by volume. This may be a one-time limited production run depending on demand.

Please see the survey below to get us some preliminary interest at various price points. We envision a "kit" which would get you everything you need for installation. Cross members may also be reproduced.
 
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We have all the pieces here to bring this unicorn back to life, including @orangefj45’s technical ability.

Price point will also be dependent on whether we provide:

1. A bare top cover, requiring end user modification of the shift rails to fit.

2. A one-in-one out deal, where you ship a 60 series top cover and we send you back a fully functioning 40 series top cover.

3. A brand spankin’ new h55 with a fitted 40 series top cover, bought as a complete standalone unit.

What is most appealing?
 
bottombracket said:
We have all the pieces here to bring this unicorn back to life, including @orangefj45’s technical ability.

Price point will also be dependent on whether we provide:

1. A bare top cover, requiring end user modification of the shift rails to fit.

2. A one-in-one out deal, where you ship a 60 series top cover and we send you back a fully functioning 40 series top cover.

3. A brand spankin’ new h55 with a fitted 40 series top cover, bought as a complete standalone unit.

What is most appealing?
Click to expand...


#3 A brand spankin’ new h55 with a fitted 40 series top cover, bought as a complete standalone unit.

#2 as a back up plan for folks that all ready have or will have a used H55F


- has it been discussed the sheet metal service cover ?

- what about a Updated engine bay DATA ID Plate to reflect the updated H55F conversion ? @teleskier
 
I like #2. Shipping an h55 Eastward would be spendy when they can be had from any local dealer.

However, if you're supplying the 1 part that's different between the innards of the 2 and it's just a part swap vs. "modification" I'd be down for #1.

Oh and BTW, if you say this will be a one and done venture I'd 100% put a deposit down in preproduction to reserve one.
 
ToyotaMatt said:
#3 A brand spankin’ new h55 with a fitted 40 series top cover, bought as a complete standalone unit.

#2 as a back up plan for folks that all ready have or will have a used H55F


- has it been discussed the sheet metal service cover ?

- what about a Updated engine bay DATA ID Plate to reflect the updated H55F conversion ? @teleskier
Click to expand...

Agree on the data plate. Replace the K with with a M as well as list the H55F.

The metal inspection cover has it's set of problems I'm still working on. That and the transfer case shift lever.
 
We do not have a working prototype yet. However, on multiple discussions with the CEO of TEI, Tooling Equipment Interational, this is a walk in the park for them compared to the jobs they usually take on.

TEI Swing Arm Wins Casting of the Year | Modern Casting

TEI just won metal caster of the year for this motorcycle swingarm that they produced in less than one month from concept to working part.

We are way ahead of the game in that we have a point cloud scanned model from @ERNRAM and a NOS, never installed 40 series top cover from @teleskier that TEI can verify the production model against. They guarantee that their parts will be casted to whatever tolerance we require necessary. They will CT scan, white light scan, X ray, and verify tolerances to ensure suitability of their casted parts to our specifications. I have absolutely zero doubt that they will be able to produce this part.

The question is, is there enough interest in the MUD and Land Cruiser community as a whole to justify the production cost? Hence this poll.
 
@Living in the Past Brings up a good point. The top cover is just the first (and really important) step.

Additional needs in the h55 conversion include:

1. Rear crossmember
2. Shifter tunnel/transmission cover modification
3. T case shifter levers
4. Emergency brake modification to split case or relocation of e-brake to rear axles.
 
Living in the Past said:
Agree on the data plate. Replace the K with with a M as well as list the H55F.

The metal inspection cover has it's set of problems I'm still working on. That and the transfer case shift lever.
Click to expand...


Here is a Working Prototype .....


DSCN5671.webp




 
I like #2 or #3
JP
 
Sheet metal inspection cover: This should be much easier to reproduce. I personally think a sheet metal variety of what @Racer65 sells with a raised section would be great. I have an aussie top cover with the raised section, but the trapezoid shape is slightly different than my 4 speed inspection cover. This means I need to swap the innards of the raised cover with the "frame" of mine like others have done. I think we may need one with the hoes cut and without. I would love to make the holes fit the 4 speed boot for availability.

In regards to sheet metal fabrication, we have members here who have done way harder: @Awl_TEQ for example is just one. @Living in the Past I would like to see what you've come up with.

Cross member: Some other members have made the transmission cross members as well. 6 cross members are too wide, but some have modified them. Other have created them @crushers has one as a part of a kit I may be using to put my 1hz in my truck. That said, it is not exactly like the 3 piece OEM part. Regardless, a single piece or a oem-style will be needed. I personally like the single piece bolted to the bottom of the frame so brake and fuel lines don't need any mods. Also, if it is produced with some "fudge factor" built in, small variations in frame width and motor angles could be accommodated.

Data ID tags: I have some of these with the h55 and 4.11 codes from @RAGINGMATT already! They are spectacular.
 
ToyotaMatt said:
#3 A brand spankin’ new h55 with a fitted 40 series top cover, bought as a complete standalone unit.

#2 as a back up plan for folks that all ready have or will have a used H55F


- has it been discussed the sheet metal service cover ?

- what about a Updated engine bay DATA ID Plate to reflect the updated H55F conversion ? @teleskier
Click to expand...



Would also have to be sure and get the right code for a FF rear axle with hand brake.;)
 
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