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

[Will Van]

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?

I'm interested in #3.

@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.

Agreed. I'm most interested in as close to a turn-key solution as possible. I want to be able to call Georg @orangefj45 and get the whole setup to my door - 40 series top cover, sheetmetal trans cover, rear crossmember, E-brake, new H55F, 5-speed shift lever, 60 series split-case, vacuum to manual t-case conversion, twin stick, 4:1 gears, shift boots, shift knobs, etc.

I would pay top dollar for a plug-and-play kit.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

Any updates?

 

[HemiAlex]

Bump for updates.

 

[teleskier]

Not dead. But life gets in the way. Top plate here sitting here in the box. Have some time here to investigate options.

 

[ahiskydiver8]

I will always be interested as a customer
but I have no connections or skills to add to this project
the only person I know that does machining is diesel 42

 

[Living in the Past]

Not dead. But life gets in the way. Top plate here sitting here in the box. Have some time here to investigate options.

Are you getting close? I know @nogo in Australia is continuing to work on the project. Last I heard was making a few changes to his working top made off a original 40 series top cover.

 

[Pigeaten]

I will always be interested as a customer
but I have no connections or skills to add to this project
the only person I know that does machining is diesel 42

you guys should contact George at Valley Hybrids in Stockton, Ca. builds and sells em

 

[ahiskydiver8]

you guys should contact George at Valley Hybrids in Stockton, Ca. builds and sells em

I'm curious how you know this.
I talked to him about a year ago and he was hard to get a hold of but told me that he knew of some rich person that had a 3d printed model but didn't have an answer on where to go from there. Then I found this thread and I thought his info was being summarized here. I wonder if that changed?

 

[sneaky]

Bump. Found this thread while searching h55f top plates.

Did this project ever come to anything?

 

[ahiskydiver8]

Bump. Found this thread while searching h55f top plates.

Did this project ever come to anything?

There is another thread going but still no major changes

 

[ToyotaMatt]

i have ALL the parts In place and ON-HAND to make a traditionally and KUSTOM One-Off's for for the H55F Back up switch and 4wd indicator Lamps switches


also both switches them selves too .......



the SKUNK-WORKS Provides ..............

 

[ToyotaMatt]

 

[ToyotaMatt]

​

 

[ToyotaMatt]

OEM TOYOTA 4WD In Dash Indicator Switch Assy, 8/80-1990 FJ40 , FJ60 / FJ62 -----, 1/90-7/99 FJ70, HZJ75 84210-60020 / 90430-18008 / 84222-60021 - VintageTEqParts.com

Switch Assy, - 84210-60020 / 84210-60010 / 84210-60011 / 84222-60021 - Comes w/ OEM Crush Ring Gasket 90430-18008 -...

vintageteqparts.com

Switch Assy, Back Up Lamp / Reverse Light 8/80-8/87 FJ40 , FJ60 ---------------, 1/90-7/99 FJ70, HZJ75 84210-60022 / 90430-18008 - VintageTEqParts.com

Switch Assy, - 84210-60022 / 84210-60012 / 84210-60013 - Comes w/ OEM Crush Ring Gasket 90430-18008 - Back-Up Lamp /...

vintageteqparts.com

 

[mgrs]

Decided to bump this thread rather than start new.

It seems that there is a Pakistani outfit reproducing these now and selling on Ebay @ $800 ea with internal parts. Any early adopters?

Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40 BJ42 H55F 5Speed Transmission Top Cover (Reproduction) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40 BJ42 H55F 5Speed Transmission Top Cover (Reproduction) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Decided to bump this thread rather than start new.

It seems that there is a Pakistani outfit reproducing these now and selling on Ebay @ $800 ea with internal parts. Any early adopters?

Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40 BJ42 H55F 5Speed Transmission Top Cover (Reproduction) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40 BJ42 H55F 5Speed Transmission Top Cover (Reproduction) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Wild. Hard to interpret what I'm seeing from those photos. Sharing here for posterity

 

[mattressking]

Wild. Hard to interpret what I'm seeing from those photos. Sharing here for posterity

View attachment 3581562

View attachment 3581563View attachment 3581565

@TeamJB on here is the seller of the lids. Cast 'new' and uses a mix of new/used parts to assemble.

There are some other options but you’ll have to dig.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

@TeamJB on here is the seller of the lids. Cast 'new' and uses a mix of new/used parts to assemble.

I believe @Aussie 25 has sold 22 new manufactured units here in the states or there are 22 available for sale...not sure which is correct.

Right on, thanks for the connection. @TeamJB & @Aussie 25, I'd love to hear more about your offerings. I've got a couple 4x top covers that I've been hoarding pending the ability to replace them.

 

[mgrs]

Wild. Hard to interpret what I'm seeing from those photos. Sharing here for posterity

View attachment 3581562

View attachment 3581563View attachment 3581565

Thanks for following up.

Since I am watching this item, the seller sent an offer that more or less cancels shipping costs out. I have not accepted it.

I am very interested in a top cover that would allow me to integrate my H55 in a "stealth" way. My 40 came with the 55/split case but the shift lever almost hit the tuffy console. What I've done is graft an FJ40 4spd shifter top onto an H55 shift lever bottom /ball meant for an FJ60.

I'd certainly be in one of these for the ebay seller's ask, but a verified US seller would build confidence.

I've fired Khyber pass knockoff guns on the Afghan side of the border, and am very aware of Paki ingenuity... but there's always something that just isn't quite right. Still almost tempted to take the risk on this.