- Thread starter
- #41
Thank you for the invitation. I might take you up on that offer. I contacted Ron at Custom Cruisers and hope to meet with him this weekend. Thank you for the recomendation.
Sm 420 Swap
- Thread starter 69 FJ40
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #42
Thank you for your opinion. I think I should definitely try different trannies before I make a decision. I like the setup you have on your 74', which is what I am trying to accomplish. Do you have pictures you can post? Thanks
Wow
Guess you missed my signature line? The '74 FJ40 WITH a SM420?
I didn't mean to offend anyone here but everyone has their opinions and not all FJ40s see major trail duty or even hard core trails. I was merely trying to offer so real world, PERSONAL experience of what I think about MY SM420. So you disagree with my assessment that is fine but why the hate?
And no, it doesn't really take 5 seconds to shift, but maybe my sarcasm didn't come across correctly...
To the original poster...IMO you would be best served by trying to find someone local that has a FJ40 with a SM420 in it and take it for a spin and see what you think. Try as many different tannies as you can and then you can make an informed decision on what YOU like.
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
4:1 ORION.
81:1 1st gear, low range. (4.95 x 4.0 x 4.11)
Yea that would be sweet, what are they now...$1800.
You have a SM420 don't you? Said you liked it, I posted on a local trail forum and found someone who will sell me a 420 for $150. I've got a lift in my garage so the swap is no big deal, find a 3 speed bellhousing. I'm not gona sell the H41 so If I don't like it, won't be a big deal to swap back.
What would really be sweet, short of buying a Atlas, is to find a drivetrain combo that will allow a front dig.
$150 is OK. Around they go for $100-$125 w/the bellhousing
and fork.
I'm currently 420/model 18(2.46:1)/4.88=84.63:1 1st gear low is pretty wicked.
I'll be changing things up and will have frt dig. Hopefully SM420 to
dana 300 and centering the rear pinion(90:1). I may have to use a SM465, which puts me at my current ratio(bummer).
I'm done w/offset rear output T/cases, it's just a bad design. The Orion is suppose to be the cure, but I think I could break it too. I hate centering the rear output, but it is stronger, IMO. I'm done chasing dollars.
EDIT:
let the flaming comence
Last edited:
Ron probably has a cruiser with a 420 in it there at the shop.
You're on the right track. Do your research, enjoy your cruiser and experience wheeling it before you make any big modifications.
Phil
I agree with you pb4ugo, I’m headed the same direction this winter, I’m done breaking cruiser t-cases. I have currently broken 3, all with extra support and bah, bah, bah. Orion, while being the answer and easy choice for most folks doesn’t make sense for me as it shoe horns you into keeping the cruiser/Toyota stuff and you can potentially outgrow it, or your axles, specifically rear.
I will tell you not to waste your money upgrading the d300 however, you will be money ahead just getting an atlas new or used up front, or 3speed stak which I’m looking at very closely if I can swing it.
AA makes an adapter to put a d300 behind the sm420, at least it is still on there site so I can only assume they still make it?
AA has the orion listed a $1535 good price for what it is.
Humm hijack? sorry
I will tell you not to waste your money upgrading the d300 however, you will be money ahead just getting an atlas new or used up front, or 3speed stak which I’m looking at very closely if I can swing it.
AA makes an adapter to put a d300 behind the sm420, at least it is still on there site so I can only assume they still make it?
AA has the orion listed a $1535 good price for what it is.
Humm hijack? sorry
Nutley, with the orion HD and a 60 series FF with pigs new shafts it would be money and strong and bolt in.
I realize a Dana 60 or 14 or 70 is stronger but the above mentioned axle would allow use of easy spares and be plenty strong. IMO
jack over.
I realize a Dana 60 or 14 or 70 is stronger but the above mentioned axle would allow use of easy spares and be plenty strong. IMO
jack over.
True, I have thought about that path, however at that point you are pretty deep money wise, and you are stuck with the cruiser third, which is not weak, but, it is not all that strong at the same time. How much is the HD orion? I think it is like 2200? 2 speed stak is 1900, big outputs, front dig, big parts.
Everyone I have wheeled with that had Toyota full floater rears have had a hell of a time keeping the studs and dowels in the rear hubs, I believe the simi float pig rears are a better option.
Everyone I have wheeled with that had Toyota full floater rears have had a hell of a time keeping the studs and dowels in the rear hubs, I believe the simi float pig rears are a better option.
[Perpetuating hijack]
Agree 100%
Ordering an Atlas or a StaK is the way to go.
You will be into a Dana 300 at least 1600.00 for HD front and rear outputs, 4:1 gears, rebuild kit and the cost of the 300. And don’t think for an instant that you do not need the HD outputs if you are going to run a crawler box in front of it, or are really going to get after it with this case.
Also, depending on what adapter you go with, or what transmission you want to run in front of it, you may have to change the input shaft of the 300 out so that it will work with what you have.
I am glad that I went to a 4.3 Atlas II behind my 420. I am using a Novak adapter.
pb4ugo
SILVER Star
I not wanting to buy any more adaptors(420 to d300). I'm thinking about sending the trans main shaft to Moser for respline. Hopefully the 420's(haven't spec it out yet), if not I know the sm465 main shaft can be cut & resplined for about $60 to adapt to my $100 D300. Then make a 3/4" plate adaptor. Looking to do low budget initially. From there I could go to atlas in the far future. I'm also going to center the L/C rearend, because of the $'s already invested in it. I need to try to save some $ for other mods that need to be done.
- Thread starter
- #50
Hello everyone, my thread kinda got hijacked, but just an update for those who posted I drove a cruiser this past weekend with a SM 420 swap and what a difference 
Drove it on the street and it shifts like an HD tans. 1st gear is useless on the street, but I didn't see any problems with shifting. Definitely better than my 3 speed. Thank you everyone.
Drove it on the street and it shifts like an HD tans. 1st gear is useless on the street, but I didn't see any problems with shifting. Definitely better than my 3 speed. Thank you everyone.
Who besides AA sells adapter plates for the sm420 swap. AA's to thick. The "FAQ" say check the vendor threads but I didn't see anything.
I got the feeling that some members of this forum were selling them, but again I didn't see anything current.
Chris Marcani
I got the feeling that some members of this forum were selling them, but again I didn't see anything current.
Chris Marcani
woooody
el Jefe
woooody
el Jefe
Extreme bends wants ~350 for a complete plate kit:
http://catalogue.ebicruiserparts.com/osc/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=137
http://catalogue.ebicruiserparts.com/osc/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=137
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
I have an adapter made by Warden's back in the day that looks similar to the Extreme bends one. It works really well. That's actually a good price for all that hardware. Have fun with the conversion.
woooody
el Jefe
That's also Canadian Money
- Thread starter
- #58
That was you Phil,
I didn't know, I would have introduced myself. Thank you for putting me in touch with Ron. He was very helpful and let me drive his rig. Hope to meet you some time.
Johann
I didn't know, I would have introduced myself. Thank you for putting me in touch with Ron. He was very helpful and let me drive his rig. Hope to meet you some time.
Johann
Hey, Thanks. I'm getting parts stocked up for this winter. I have several upgrades I want to do.
What does "8274" in your sig stand for?
