Long story short, thanks for all the good information on this forum! Saved me a fortune (for now). Took a 200 mile round trip on the highway in 89 FJ62 w/196K on original a440....return leg with a small boat trailer topped with new canoe. About 30 miles from home, tranny started slipping and had only a rough 1,2 gears by the time i made it home. The next day, checked the fluid (slightly low and burnt), topped off and took a quick run around the block to see the damage. 1-2 was harsh, and 2-3 didn't exist. Parked it and spent a day or so checking the forum. Dropped pan and filter, cleaned and replaced gaskets. Did a full Rodney flush (full synthetic and Lucas Trans Fix), adjusted the TV cable and test drove. Shifted like a dream 1-2....but either stayed in 2 and overrevved, or shifted out of 2, never reaching 3! When servicing, noticed film of fluid at transfer case all the way to the bumper...apparently, the vent tube was missing and when it heated up, blew out some fluid.
Figured at this point, I'm screwed and researching H55 swaps as well as rebuilt 440's. Neither excited me or my wallet. Then, I stumbled upon the party trick....Figured what the hell...worth a try. I was only able to get up to about 40mph and popped it into P for a twenty count. Shifted back to D and slowed to a stop. Started back up, shifted 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 flawlessly and smoother than it ever had.
This weekend, I'll be adding a cooler, gauge, replacing vent tube and replacing the linkage bushings all based on forum research. Once I have that done, I suspect I have an issue with the TC not locking up, but want to get this other stuff dealt with first. HOpefully, this will buy me some time to slowly acquire parts for an H55 swap.
Just wanted to share my party trick story and say thanks for putting all this info out there! I'll be back with some questions on the TC before too long...keeping my fingers crossed.
Figured at this point, I'm screwed and researching H55 swaps as well as rebuilt 440's. Neither excited me or my wallet. Then, I stumbled upon the party trick....Figured what the hell...worth a try. I was only able to get up to about 40mph and popped it into P for a twenty count. Shifted back to D and slowed to a stop. Started back up, shifted 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 flawlessly and smoother than it ever had.
This weekend, I'll be adding a cooler, gauge, replacing vent tube and replacing the linkage bushings all based on forum research. Once I have that done, I suspect I have an issue with the TC not locking up, but want to get this other stuff dealt with first. HOpefully, this will buy me some time to slowly acquire parts for an H55 swap.
Just wanted to share my party trick story and say thanks for putting all this info out there! I'll be back with some questions on the TC before too long...keeping my fingers crossed.
