roma's 78 fj40 gets a 3b h55f

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Still waiting on a manual transfer from shmukster and think I may just go with a steel braided clutch line for a 73 Fj40 from jt outfitters. I just hope the 70 slave fitting has the same threads as a 40 series. Any thoughts on this? Should tear into the bj70 tomorrow so I'll update then. I already got new belts, water pump, rear main, and 10.5 volt ngk glow plugs for the 3b. Got everything from the local Toyota dealer except for the glow plugs thanks to the faq sticky on part numbers. Anything else I should do to the engine while its out? It's got a new thermostat in it as well as new hoses and the freeze plugs look great.
 
Well bad news...found out at 4:30 Fri that I had to work Saturday soo didn't get anything done to the cruiser.
Good news sold my 72 Fj40 so now I got the cash for a pilgrim tub for this thing!! Think I'm going to go ahead get the diesel swapped in and put it back together, take it to the Grand Canyon as planned next month and possibly pick the tub up from ccot on the way home. This way I will know the mounts for the engine are correct and where they need to be before I galvanize and powder coat the frame.
 
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Forgive the possibly noobish question but...whats a pilgrim tub?
 
An overpriced 3/4 reproduction tub.

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Should have a manual split case here next week so I can swap the bits over. Should make some good progress next week and if all goes well will have it in the 40 frame. Ended up getting a new clutch master cylinder and a steel braided teflon covered clutch line from jto. The clutch line ordered was for a 72 Fj40 so its the proper length for the h55 driver side mounted slave cylinder. Also picked up a new 12 volt coolant temp sensor since my donor rig was 24v. Still need to find a 12 volt oil pressure sender...anyone have one kicking around? Pretty sure gassers use the same one. I'll post pics during the week as I get the small stuff installed.
 
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Finally some progress! I was beginning to wonder if you gave up! :flipoff:
 
Any of the parts guys know where I could get one of these?


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I'm planning on removing the frame mounts from the 70 bolting them back up to the engine positioning the engine as needed and welding them back in. Anyone ever done this? I think if the width of the 40 and 70 frames is close it should work.


For the cross member I was thinking bolting 1/4 steel plates to this then welding the plates to the 40 frame once its in position. What do you guys think?


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roma042987 said:
Any of the parts guys know where I could get one of these?

I'm planning on removing the frame mounts from the 70 bolting them back up to the engine positioning the engine as needed and welding them back in. Anyone ever done this? I think if the width of the 40 and 70 frames is close it should work.

For the cross member I was thinking bolting 1/4 steel plates to this then welding the plates to the 40 frame once its in position. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

These are available from Toyota here in the states. :)
 
Dang! I like that. It looks really good. Good choice of color
 
Well my transfer case arrived today so I think I have all the parts to procede. Had to get my 70 home and I don't really have a proper tow rig so I had to make do lol....what the ole B engine lacks in power the bj makes up in low gears so kept it in 4 low

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Haha, wow - I bet that was an interesting drive home!
 
Made a good bit of progress again this evening but didn't finish up with the engine/trans/tcase just yet so I will snap some pictures tomorrow. Lesson for anyone doing a 3b swap in a 40 AVOID using a jdm 70 series drive train at all costs. It's significantly different from 60 and 40 series 3bs and even aussie 70s. Somethings to be aware of: power steering reservoir is remotely mounted on the firewall, fuel filter is also remotely mounted on the fender, rear cross member is way different, and I'd say the most significant difference is the rotary injection pump as opposed to the more common inline pump. Now all of these things are not too big of a deal but in my opinion the typical 3bs make for a much cleaner and simpler installation. Now the biggest hurdle out of all these things is that rotary pump 3bs as well as most other 70 series engines use a unique starter. Now this starter is unique because it is in the way of a 40 series steering box. In my case I'm upgrading to a factory 40 steering box at this time so a 60 series box wasnt in the cards. I will elaborate further on the starter once I make sure my contraption will work.
 
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Old starter

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New starter...should have sufficient room for the 40 steering box

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Installed new rear main seal, thermostat, water pump, 12 volt coolant sender, 12v starter and alternator, and ngk 10.5v glow plugs.
Im still looking for a 12v oil sender if anyone has one and may be impossible to find but I need the transfer case linkage that goes with an h55. I may end up modifying my 4spd linkage but would rather avoid that. Also anyone have the Toyota part numbers for the alt vacuum pump oil feed and return hoses? Mine look a bit aged.
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