Questions about swapping a 3fe/H42/split case/ newer axles into '71 Cruiser

[GRM]

Swapping a 3fe/H42/split case/ newer axles into '71 Cruiser

Somewhere in my head, I have decided I want to put a 3fe/h42/split case into my '71 Land Cruiser. This plan is getting fast-forwarded since my f is blown, and the axles need to be rebuilt.
The purpose of this cruiser is to be a driver. I want a 2.5" lift, and 33x10.5 BFG at's on stock wheels. I love how old cruisers drive, I just want one with some semi-modern reliable parts (like fuel injection).

To help, I've been putting together a parts list on google docs. https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AhwsgomL1jhRdHd1SDZwSW4xVUcyU2Z6TUNsRjJHbnc&hl=en

So I am wondering what issues I will run into:

3fe:
• How close will it bolt up?
• Will it clear the hood using stock motor mounts?
• Will the radiator lines bolt up?
• Are there changes to the engine between 88-92?
• Are there any changes to the electrical connectors in those years?
• What fuel pumps can I use? Any in-line pump?
• What Issues will I run into trying to get the stock pump and the aux tank to work with this engine? Will they hold to the pressure?

H42/Split Case:
• I’m thinking I will have to swap to run the t-case mount off the cross member. Are there any good examples of this?
• Will there be any issues using the 60-series transmission in front of the 3fe?
• Will I have enough room for the rear driveshaft? How short will it be going to the rear axle?
• Am I correct that an H55 will bolt in (later down the road)?

Axles:
• I’d like to run fj60 or 81-84 40 series axles.
• How hard is it to run 60 axles? I understand I will have to outboard my front spring hangers, correct? Any other modifications necessary?
• Will the wider axles look normal with the classic 40-series?
• Am I missing a major axle option?

Other Systems:
• Will a 91-95 4runner master cyl and brake booster bolt up to my 40?
• Will a 60-series clutch master bolt into place?


Please let me know if I’m missing something else. I appreciate any help.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Great project. It will be tough to run the trans in front of the 3fe. Behind will work better.

You should rebuild the axles you have with the knuckles and brakes from a '60. Outboarding the springs to run wider axles is overkill for what you're planning, and a PITA. Mini-truck power steering would be a great addition at the same time.

The hood will clear with no trouble. I think the motor mounts are the same. Not sure about the bell housing. You will want to run a rear tranny mount and it will have to be partially custom.

The brake master and booster will work, but you need an adapter. Try Marks Off Road Home Page, or Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters. Not sure about the clutch master, but the one you have should work too.

Good luck. Didn't you used to live in San Martin?

 

[pappy]

Answers below.

So I am wondering what issues I will run into:

3fe:
• How close will it bolt up?
In what way?
• Will it clear the hood using stock motor mounts?
A 3FE? Yes, easy.
• Are there changes to the engine between 88-92?
To the engine? Not really. To the stuff attached? Yes.
• Are there any changes to the electrical connectors in those years?
Yes, FJ80 and FJ62 have a few connectors that are different. The coil/ignitor are totally different. The other connectors that are different are the VSV switches for the EGR, AI, and fuel pump regular. Not a big deal if you abandon the smog junk and just use a new connector on the fuel pump VSV. Easy solution is to use the harness from the same donor.
• What fuel pumps can I use? Any in-line pump?
No, not just just any pump. You need 43psi. If you don't already have a return line to your tank you will need to install one. Aeromotive 11109 - SummitRacing.com
• What Issues will I run into trying to get the stock pump and the aux tank to work with this engine? Will they hold to the pressure?
Uh? You won't use the stock pump unless you can find a way to install the 3FE pump into the aux tank. Good luck.

H42/Split Case:
• I’m thinking I will have to swap to run the t-case mount off the cross member. Are there any good examples of this?
It will most likely be a custom job. I would keep the dog-ear mounts on the bellhousing.
• Will there be any issues using the 60-series transmission in front of the 3fe?
Potential issues with the flywheel and pilot bearing working on your crank. Search.
• Will I have enough room for the rear driveshaft? How short will it be going to the rear axle?
Yes, with my H55F + split case on my SOA I have enough shaft. I do run a double cardan.
• Am I correct that an H55 will bolt in (later down the road)?
Yes, but the frame crossmember will need to be removed, you will need at least a 1" body lift, and you will need to modify your tranny tunnel. Not sure if the H42+split case will require any of this.


Other Systems:
• Will a 91-95 4runner master cyl and brake booster bolt up to my 40?
Should, but you might need the above mentioned spacer to clear the clutch master.
• Will a 60-series clutch master bolt into place?
No, it's a two bolt attachment. Yours is a three bolt.


Please let me know if I’m missing something else. I appreciate any help.
This might help. http://bushrat.hdcruisers.org/3FEconversion.pdf

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

You will want to use a mix of years of FJ60 parts.

The 1986-87 US market FJ60s used a bell housing marked "3F." You should use this bell housing.

I'd suggest using one of the early (1980-84) FJ60 H42s because they are overall shorter than the later 1985-87 H42s in FJ60s, allowing for better drive shaft angles.

Flip-side, the 1985-87 versions of the H42 feature a "spacer" so that they are the same length as a H55F. Thus, you could "prep" the rig for a future H55F swap while saving your pennies!

When you source the FJ60 transmission be sure to get the removable crossmember that supports it.

Good luck!

Alan

 

[pappy]

The 1986-87 US market FJ60s used a bell housing marked "3F." You should use this bell housing.

While the 3F bellhousing will work, it won't have the dog ears for the mounts. It will then require a mount at the transmission. A bellhousing from a 4 speed 2F FJ40 will have the dog ears and work with the H42/55.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Actually, all the H42s that came in US-market 60 Series used the removable "cradle" cross member that mounts underneath the transmission.

I'd hazard a guess that this style is stronger than the 1970s-era mounts to the bell housing.

However, I think I understand why you are recommending the older style transmission mount Pappy. Simply, for ease of installation into a 1972 FJ40. Can't argue with that line of thought.

Regards,

Alan

 

[pappy]

However, I think I understand why you are recommending the older style transmission mount Pappy. Simply, for ease of installation into a 1972 FJ40. Can't argue with that line of thought.

Regards,

Alan

I'm also recommending it because it allows the option to do both ... the dog ear mount on the bellhousing and a crossmember mount at the tranny. That is what I did using a modified Iron Pig skid plate.

 

[MOTOV8R]

3fe:
• How close will it bolt up?
Pretty close, it ends up shifted to the driver's side and interferes with the brake master cylinder. You can slot the motor mounts and use a 1" block on the driver's side and it corrects this. There's a post by Grant157 (I think that's it) that explains this.
• Will it clear the hood using stock motor mounts?
Yes
• Will the radiator lines bolt up?
Yes
• Are there changes to the engine between 88-92?
Yes, minor, affecting the flywheel I think the bolt size changed after 88. Also the rear main seal is different. Those are the ones I know about that affect the swap. The later bolts in the flywheel are larger, you'll have to drill out your flywheel if you have the later 3FE
• Are there any changes to the electrical connectors in those years?
Dunno
• What fuel pumps can I use? Any in-line pump?
Dunno
• What Issues will I run into trying to get the stock pump and the aux tank to work with this engine? Will they hold to the pressure?
Yeah

H42/Split Case:
• I’m thinking I will have to swap to run the t-case mount off the cross member. Are there any good examples of this?
Get a tranny cross member from a 60, I've got one if you want to buy it, you can mod it to work
• Will there be any issues using the 60-series transmission in front of the 3fe?
See above
• Will I have enough room for the rear driveshaft? How short will it be going to the rear axle?
Easy, don't use a late model H42 from a 10/85 or later FJ60 it'll add 4 inches of drivetrain length you don't need.
• Am I correct that an H55 will bolt in (later down the road)?
Yes.

Axles:
• I’d like to run fj60 or 81-84 40 series axles.
• How hard is it to run 60 axles? I understand I will have to outboard my front spring hangers, correct? Any other modifications necessary?
not hard.
• Will the wider axles look normal with the classic 40-series?
yes, they look great.
• Am I missing a major axle option?
dana 60s?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm also recommending it because it allows the option to do both ... the dog ear mount on the bellhousing and a crossmember mount at the tranny. That is what I did using a modified Iron Pig skid plate.

Agreed, I guess the logic 'more is better' applies here plus it makes the install a bit easier. You can have all the drive train installed and set before you have to fab the rear mount.

 

[GRM]

Ok, so let me sum up what I've learned... and tell me if I get this straight...

3fe:
Get an engine with matching wiring harness+ECU. A pilot bearing will fit, but I still need to find the part #
Use the aftermarket fuel pump on the frame rail, with a gravity feed off the main tank.
It will bolt in, but will hit the master cyl. Because of this, it should be shifted 1" to the pass side.

H42:
Buy an 85-87 so that an h55 is a bolt in.
Make a new transfer case mount to use the rear mount (i'm not as fond of the bellhousing mount)

Other:
Swap in a 79-85 mini truck power steering box


Further questions:
What clutch master do I use?
Does anyone have a picture of an SUA 40 with stock wheels?


To help, I've been putting together a parts list on google docs. https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AhwsgomL1jhRdHd1SDZwSW4xVUcyU2Z6TUNsRjJHbnc&hl=en

I know I'm missing alot of parts... but its a start and should help me plan so that I have all the parts on hand when I start the swap.

 

[GRM]

but the one you have should work too.

Good luck. Didn't you used to live in San Martin?

Morgan Hill, yes. I moved down here about a year ago to chase a new job. Hows your land cruiser working.

Answers below.
Please let me know if I’m missing something else. I appreciate any help.
This might help. http://bushrat.hdcruisers.org/3FEconversion.pdf

Awesome link! Thanks.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Morgan Hill, yes. I moved down here about a year ago to chase a new job. Hows your land cruiser working.

I'm working on my 2nd one now. I hoping to attend Surf & Turf with it after an SOA with lockers and some new gears.

 

[GRM]

I'm working on my 2nd one now. I hoping to attend Surf & Turf with it after an SOA with lockers and some new gears.

Sweet! I look forward to seeing it out there this year!

I managed to snag a few parts today.

I dragged home a header, fj60 rear axle, 60 series drive shafts, master cyl, and brake booster.

I also bought a 2f, '84h42, and a split case.

Now I'm to figuring out the front axle. If I build something to match the rear axle, I'm assuming I will need:

•'71 housing
•79-85 mini truck inner shafts
•81-87 fj60 diff
•81-88 cruiser knuckles, and spindles
•86-95 mini truck hubs
•81-88 cruiser locking hubs
•fror tacoma brake kit.

will those parts work together? I'm mostly worried about trying to use mini-truck shafts in the 40 axle.

 

[tucker74]

3fe:
• How close will it bolt up?
Pretty close, it ends up shifted to the driver's side and interferes with the brake master cylinder. You can slot the motor mounts and use a 1" block on the driver's side and it corrects this. There's a post by Grant157 (I think that's it) that explains this.

This is absolutely wrong and I've seen it posted over and over, use the stock 2F PS mount and 3F mount slotted 1/4" towards outside -

PS mount:

DS mount:

Clearance at the master:

I used the 2F bellhousing and stock dog-ear mounts as Pappy stated, you could just as easily fab a cradle style and probably should if you're going with the longer H55/split case.

Tucker

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Tucker74 - thanks a bunch for those photos and the info. Just what I needed to know to drop a 3FE into my '74. VERY glad to see I don't gotta move the booster and a bunch of other stuff.



Nick