OM617 to Toyota 3 speed adapter

[waltermayorga]

Hi folks. Recently I got an OM617 diesel engine that I would like to put in my FJ40 but having a hard time finding an adapter plate to keep the 3 speed transmission (I would like to keep the 3 on the three config).

Initially I was going to do an SBC swap so I got the Chevy to 3 speed Toyota plate from AA. Now I wonder if there is a straight adapter plate from the Mercedes to the Toyota 3 speed, or if the Mercedes to Chevy bellhousing adapter from 4x4 labs, then Chevy to 3 speed from AA will work (I know, is a Frankenstein situation, and probably a dumb question).

Here is the situation I would like to check:
OM617 -> 4x4 labs adapter -> Chevy bellhousing -> AA 3 speed adapter -> Toyota 3 speed transmission

 

[peesalot]

Georg at Cruiser Brothers / Valley Hybrids did this to Manny's green 40 years ago, give him a call.

 

[cwwfj60]

OM617 to H Series Land Cruiser Transmission Adapter

4×4labs OM617 to Toyota Landcruiser H Series Transmission Use Toyota Landcruiser 4 (h41, h42) and 5 speed (h55f) manual transmissions behind the Mercedes Benz OM617 5cylinder diesel engine with our adapter kit. H adapter kits contain- Adapter plate Re-drill your supplied factory Toyota flywheel...

4x4labs.myshopify.com

 

[waltermayorga]

Georg at Cruiser Brothers / Valley Hybrids did this to Manny's green 40 years ago, give him a call.

Thanks dude, I just sent him a message

 

[DPV7070]

I used a 4x4 Labs adapter plate to a AA 712577 bellhousing to NV4500 with adapter to Orion transfer case.

 

[waltermayorga]

I used a 4x4 Labs adapter plate to a AA 712577 bellhousing to NV4500 with adapter to Orion transfer case.

I asked them for the OM617 to GM but they mentioned they only have Mercedes to Toyota. I saw long time ago they had one to GM, do you know if they discontinued it?

 

[DPV7070]

I asked them for the OM617 to GM but they mentioned they only have Mercedes to Toyota. I saw long time ago they had one to GM, do you know if they discontinued it?

Yes I think I bought one of the last ones. If I had it to do over again, I would go H55F. @orangefj45 told me the wide ratio of the NV4500 would be less than ideal, and he was right, but I already had the rebuilt transmission in hand.

 

[orangefj45]

Happy to chime in ….

You probably don’t want to hear this, but running the factory 3-speed behind an OM617 is a terrible idea. Possibly the wiry engine-transmission choice you could make.

The 618 has precious little low end torque and it will be a struggle to take off from a standing start.

I’d HIGHLY recommend running the H55F 5-speed transmission.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I’d rather be brutally honest than see you end up with a cruiser that’s not what you’d hoped for.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids @ Cruiser Brothers

 

[waltermayorga]

Happy to chime in ….

You probably don’t want to hear this, but running the factory 3-speed behind an OM617 is a terrible idea. Possibly the wiry engine-transmission choice you could make.

The 618 has precious little low end torque and it will be a struggle to take off from a standing start.

I’d HIGHLY recommend running the H55F 5-speed transmission.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I’d rather be brutally honest than see you end up with a cruiser that’s not what you’d hoped for.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids @ Cruiser Brothers

Thanks a lot for the recommendations. I wanted to keep the 3 on the tree shifting, but reading the comments seems that is not a good idea. Regarding to that, the problem is the top speed and starter?

 

[orangefj45]

The 3-speed doesn’t have a low enough first gear and no OD. The H55F would offer both so you can enjoy driving the cruiser around town as well as on the freeway.

 

[EWheeler]

If an H55f can be used, so can an H42 4 speed (just strictly thinking about adapters). There is a member developing an adapter to mount the 3spd column shift top plate to the top of an H42 to have a 4 on tree setup. Still in development phases, but this would give you a better trans and allow you to keep the column shift.

 

[orangefj45]

I saw a column shift 5-speed years ago that a customer of mine built. He’s a master machinist and spent countless hours on the project.
Wish I had pics but it was well over ten years ago and I haven’t seen the vehicle or it’s owner since.

Georg @ Valley Hybrids @ Cruiser Brothers

 

[bikersmurf]

They’re currently fine tuning a plate for a 4 speed column shift. You’d not have overdrive but would have a lower 1st and closer spacing.

 

[orangefj45]

They’re currently fine tuning a plate for a 4 speed column shift. You’d not have overdrive but would have a lower 1st and closer spacing.

Could run 3.70 Diffs also to keep cruising RPMS down.

 

[waltermayorga]

Question regarding the engine mounting brackets. What did you guys use to set the engine in the frame?

 

[bikersmurf]

Could run 3.70 Diffs also to keep cruising RPMS down.

The combination of 33s and 3.70s I'm running make 4th a decent overdrive (about 25%). At least for my setup 1st still seems plenty low with the 3.70s (even though it is a small compromise).