Question about H55F Split Case Swap

[Will Van]

I'm thinking about swapping an H55F 5-speed and 60 series twin-stick split case (from Georg at Valley Hybrids) into my 1977 FJ40.

As most of you know, the 40 series 5-speed top plate covers for the H55 are unobtanium. I realize some members are working on creating a reproduction, but for now, I need to run the 60 series top plate which moves the shift lever rearward.

Also, the '77 trucks have a one-piece transmission hump, without the later-model inspection cover.

My plan is to swap to a two-piece cover available on the '79 and later truck, and use a raised City Racer inspection cover, and then just cut the holes for the 5 speed and t-case levers to fit.

Will this work? Are the trans covers interchangeable between 1977 and 1979? Is there an easier way to do this? Just cut my current trans cover?


Do I also need to modify the fuel tank and transmission hump where the split-case will sit?

 

[Living in the Past]

No the inspection cover is the only removable part of the transmission hump. You can but the fiberglass cover. The transfer case shifter for the 40 series five speed is just as hard to five as the top cover. Keep in mind if you find a 40 series five speed transfer shifter it will be located forward of the 60 series shifter. So plan on buying or modifying the cover you make now.

 

[Casey E]

Georg did mine or should I say Dominic. Just get in line and don’t worry about anything he will call when it’s done. He will locate everything you need or don’t.

 

[Casey E]

Here is a few pics

 

[Casey E]

Miss read your post. You’re going to do the swap, well in that case he just used a 75 cover and relocated the holes, also relocated the crossmember, but all in all it wasn’t as big of a project as the forum made it out to be. I had located all sorts of parts for the swap and he used almost none of them.

 

[Will Van]

No the inspection cover is the only removable part of the transmission hump. You can buy the fiberglass cover. The transfer case shifter for the 40 series five speed is just as hard to five as the top cover. Keep in mind if you find a 40 series five speed transfer shifter it will be located forward of the 60 series shifter. So plan on buying or modifying the cover you make now.

Apologies, I think the wording of my initial post was confusing.

I currently have a 4 speed with one-piece transfer case. I want to swap in an H55F 5-speed with a 60 series top plate and a 60 series split-case w/ twin stick transfer case into my 1977 FJ40.

I currently have the original 1977 "one-piece" sheetmetal transmission hump (no inspection cover) on my truck.

Can I swap to the 1979 "two-piece" transmission hump with inspection cover?

i.e. Will the 1979 "two piece" transmission hump bolt to the floorpan of my 1977 FJ40?

...and then use the City Racer raised inspection cover to cut my own holes for the H55F shifter (w/ 60 series top plate) and 60 series split case (w/ twin sticks)?

 

[Living in the Past]

Apologies, I think the wording of my initial post was confusing.

I currently have a 4 speed with one-piece transfer case. I want to swap in an H55F 5-speed with a 60 series top plate and a 60 series split-case w/ twin stick transfer case into my 1977 FJ40.

I currently have the original 1977 "one-piece" sheetmetal transmission hump (no inspection cover) on my truck.

Can I swap to the 1979 "two-piece" transmission hump with inspection cover?

i.e. Will the 1979 "two piece" transmission hump bolt to the floorpan of my 1977 FJ40?

...and then use the City Racer raised inspection cover to cut my own holes for the H55F shifter (w/ 60 series top plate) and 60 series split case (w/ twin sticks)?

The 1/79+ is not a removable transmission hump. Only the inspection cover come off. The rest is part of the tub.

The redesigned tub 79+ does not tamper down to the floor. This allows more height in the back. But because of the fuel tank being under the tub and larger it restricts the length of the T/T combo. While it has been done a H55F with a hand brake on the transfer case is very tight. With the hand brake on the axle a H55F has clearance on the 1/79. 10/82+ tubs have better clearance under the heater and plan on grafting that section off a 83 into my 79.

 

[Will Van]

The 1/79+ is not a removable transmission hump. Only the inspection cover come off. The rest is part of the tub.

Thank you for that clarification!

 

[Living in the Past]

Here are a couple of pictures

The inspection cover from 1/79-9/82 that is flat has a different footprint then the 10/82+. Later is raised on the front edge. Going with the correct 10/82+ three piece crossmember for the transmission. My 79 frame will need either some of a opening in the frame filled or use a plate with fixed nuts inside the plane. Option C would be use a 8/80+ frame. Believe early four speed frame are the same in this location. Fuel lines on the right side need to be relocated to clear the right L bracket of the crossmember. If you can locate the stock skid plate for five speed it will bolt right in.

 

[KY Longhunter]

I’ve never seen that Late Model tranny hump. Interesting!

 

[lelandEOD]

I'm going through something similar.

I snagged the tunnel inspection cover from the donor 70-series truck and adapted it to fit the late '73 trans hump.

It required some cutting, bending, and welding, but I think it'll be fine once I add a bit of putty and spray it with bed liner.

 

[Living in the Past]

I'm going through something similar.

I snagged the tunnel inspection cover from the donor 70-series truck and adapted it to fit the late '73 trans hump.

It required some cutting, bending, and welding, but I think it'll be fine once I add a bit of putty and spray it with bed liner.

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What did you do to support the transmission? The bellhousing motor mounts or a crossmember under the transmission. How did you determine the height? Even with 60 series top cover think the front of the transmission would be very close to transmission hump. I was looking at the inspection covers from 70 series but will thinking will stay with the late 40 series inspection cover. I do think with a 40 series top cover a 70 series cover could work by modifying the front of the cover and modifying the hump to match.

 

[lelandEOD]

I’m using a crossmember from Crushers. I felt like it positioned the transmission too low so I added a 1/2” spacer between the crossmember and the transmission mount. The rear of the transfer case is still a little lower than I’d like but it’s about even with the crossmember when viewed from the side so it shouldn’t keep me from adding a skid plate.

Here are some photos:

 

[Living in the Past]

I’m using a crossmember from Crushers. I felt like it positioned the transmission too low so I added a 1/2” spacer between the crossmember and the transmission mount. The rear of the transfer case is still a little lower than I’d like but it’s about even with the crossmember when viewed from the side so it shouldn’t keep me from adding a skid plate.

Here are some photos:

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By your bellhousing appears your using a later diesel engine setup so the transmission is a little further back. I'm working on gathering all the parts needed to install a H55F into my 79. Have a 82 frame to be sure I locate factory crossmember at the same height as from the factory. Toyota gave a little more clearance in front of the inspection cover. Seen a few 8/80-9/82 that used the factory crossmember. Those we're so close at the front if the engine twisted a little from torque or a good bump it would hit. Your setup with 70 series inspection cover and 60 series top cover you should be good by it's location.

 

[DougAustinTx]

My hump just had new holes cut and old holes welded up. If you have access to the donor FJ60, consider using the entire rear axle assembly. You will have a great parking brake and single slave brake cylinders. You'll have to switch out the front differential gears from the 60 as well, to match the 3.70 gears in the FJ60 rear. The 60 rear axle will space your rear wheels out about an extra inch on both sides. Your highway cruising will be measurably improved. I've put about 40,000 mostly highway miles on my '79 since the conversion with no problems at all.

 

[frankenyota]

I cut out the floor from the donor 60 series and grafted it to the gearbox cover in my '71 when i fitted my H55.

 

[lelandEOD]

I cut out the floor from the donor 60 series and grafted it to the gearbox cover in my '71 when i fitted my H55.

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I really like that.