To H55 or not, that is the question (1 Viewer)

[DrRock]

Hello All,
I'm in the process of gathering parts for my swap to a fresh 2F engine with and Sniper kit from our friends Mosley Motors @FJ60Cam . Given this, I have the dilemma of also upgrading the transmission from the current 4 speed. I'm really on the fence over this so looking for some wisdom from the community as to what I should do. My truck is mostly stock, running an OME lift and 32-33 tires. I off road frequently up in VT and the surrounding areas and do moderately challenging terrain. Below I've listed some pros and cons that come to mind. Looking forward to getting everyone's feedback. My 60 is an 1985 built on 7/85 so as far as I understand the swap is straightforward. Let me know if this assumption is correct.



Pros:
Lower 1st gear for off road driving
Added 5th gear for highway cruising
Relatively easy swap since my truck is built on 7/85
Easier to get done "while I'm in there" swapping out the engine

Cons:
Might not have optimal gearing for 32"-33" tires? I'm just not sure.
Higher 5th might not work out, given the gearing of the transmission. I'm not looking to re gear the diff and would like to keep that stock.
Not sure if I need to do any upgrades to my transfer case?

Looking forward to everyone's responses!

Cheers, James

 

[Major Nelson]

If the 60 drives anything like my 40 you'll want the H55. I'm barely able to hit 60 with the 33" tires. My 60 being built right now will have an H55...but it's also being re-geared. Hopefully should make 75mph possible.

 

[Rusto]

I contemplated the same thing a couple of years ago and decided to do some other things. My job has changed since and now I'm taking 3 or 4 hour road trips in my 60 a couple of times a month for work. and now I'm looking at doing it again. It does add value to your 60, if that's of interest to you, and let's face it; most mods don't.

Right now, I can cruise comfortably at 65 and 2800 RPMs on 31s. I think the gearing would be fine on 32s or 33s based on my experience.

I would say "no" if you don't do much driving on the highway. Mine has been fine on short trips and such. Only now, with the longer trips am I wishing I had put in the 5 speed when I had the extra scratch. That and a seat cushion from $OR

 

[cps432]

Yes. Do it. And do re-gear the diffs. It’s worth it. Well worth it.

 

[2mbb]

Do it. Then drive it and enjoy it. Later, you can decide about the regear when you add lockers. You're a doctor, so you can afford it!

 

[OSS]

If you’re going to keep the stock 3:70 differential gears and run 32-33” tires, the H55F is the way to go.
Not for the overdrive 5th (in your case) but for the sweet lower 1st & 2nd AND reverse gear.

But even if you decided against the 5 speed for whatever reason, your 4 speed is freaking ancient with a zillion miles on it and it’s not going to last forever.

Here’s something else. Who’s to say that the H55F will be available next year, next month? It’s an absolute miracle that it still is available.
I’d buy one now - because they might not be available in the future. Who knows? Maybe they will —— and maybe not.


Just replacing the transmission with a new one is a HUGE upgrade regardless of what gears it has inside it.
My vote: install the H55F and have absolutely zero remorse (unless it’s too pricey).

Also it runs a bit quieter than the 4 speed.

 

[cps432]

It does run quieter but not by much. It’s also a great time to rebuild the transfer case and install a long spline input gear. I think I’d rather have a solid t case mounted to a sloppy transmission than a solid transmission mounted to a sloppy t case.

 

[Godwin]

IMO it is worth it and I'll also say that you should reconsider regearing the diffs. If you stay with a max tire size of 32" you can probably be fine with the 3.70 geared diffs but if you go up to a 33" then 4.11s are better.

I think the perfect combination is H55F+4.11s+33s, this is what I've been running for over a decade. With a strong 2F you can run 65-70 at ca. 2500 +/- rpm, plus you have the lower 1st gear which is nice once your off the pavement.

 

[cps432]

IMO it is worth it and I'll also say that you should reconsider regearing the diffs. If you stay with a max tire size of 32" you can probably be fine with the 3.70 geared diffs but if you go up to a 33" then 4.11s are better.

I think the perfect combination is H55F+4.11s+33s, this is what I've been running for over a decade. With a strong 2F you can run 65-70 at ca. 2500 +/- rpm, plus you have the lower 1st gear which is nice once your off the pavement.

I can start on an incline in 1st and remove my foot from the brake and clutch without adding gas and it will climb over just about anything I ask it to. If I give it gas it will go anywhere I believe.

 

[Rgill]

Several RPM calculators online where you can plug in tire size and gear ratios to calculate RPM. Just need to know the transmission and ring gear ratios. This is what I calculated
70mph on 31in tires, 3.70 ring gear, H55F 5 gear .845 = 2372 rpm. If what have researched the FJ60 4 speed 1-4 gear ratios and the H55F 1-4 gear ratios are all the same. data from marks4wd.com. It is the FJ40 that has tall 1st gear ratios.

 

[Rgill]

This was helpful for me. The FJ60 North America has a 3.70 ring gear not 4.11.

LAND CRUISER​	1st​	2nd​	3rd​	4th​	5th​	Rev​	DIFF​	T/CASE​
FJ40 – 6 CYL PETROL (1F) – 3 SPEED – 10T SPLINE ONE PIECE TRANSFER CASE	2.757:1	1.691:1	1.1:1	N/A	N/A	3.676:1	4.11:1	PART TIME 2.313:1
FJ40/45/47/55 – 6 CYL PETROL (2F) – 4 SPEED H42 TRANSMISSION -16T SPLINE ONE PIECE TRANSFER CASE HJ40/45/47 – 2H DIESEL – 4 SPEED H42 TRANSMISSION -16T SPLINE ONE PIECE TRANSFER CASE	3.555:1	2.292:1	1.410:1	1:1	N/A	4.271:1	4.11:1	PART TIME 1.959:1
FJ60 – 6 CYL PETROL (2F) – 4 SPEED H 42 TRANSMISSION – 19T SPLINE TWO PIECE TRANSFER CASE HJ60 – 2H DIESEL – 4 SPEED H42 TRANSMISSION – 19T SPLINE TWO PIECE TRANSFER CASE	4.843:1	2.619:1	1.516:1	1:1	N/A	4.843:1	4.11:1	PART TIME 1.963:1
FJ60/62/70/73/75 – 6 CYL PETROL (3F) – 5 SPEED H55F TRANSMISSION -19T SPLINE TWO PIECE TRANSFER CASE HJ60 – 2H DIESEL – 5 SPEED H55F TRANSMISSION – 19T SPLINE TWO PIECE TRANSFER CASE	4.843:1	2.619:1	1.516:1	1:1	0.845:1	4.843:1	4.11:1	PART TIME 1.959:1

 

[4runner2FJ60]

For what its worth, i am running 33s on stock everything, 4 speed, just tested this out this weekend....I run at 65 steady on 2500rpms. That is with GPS not the speedo.
But if the money becomes available I'd get the 5 speed

 

[DickM]

Put the H55F in and go from there. You will get all your "pros" from the list, and if the "cons" start bothering you, you can play with tire size or 4.11 diffs at a later date., neither of which are hugely expensive. The 4.11's are available as a swap from the Fj62.
There is no magic bullet for every situation, but as @Godwin said, the 4.11/H55F/33 combo is a proven combo............

So why am I thinking of going to 35s with the H55F/4.11 and the new Orion I just built?

'Cause it is all a moving target...

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[DrRock]

Good Evening All, Thank you for all your thoughtful contributions, much appreciated. Definitely leaning to the H55 based on your input. Will my current transfer case bolt up to the H55? From my research a while ago I think it does but I wanted to double check.

Cheers, James

 

[vipergrhd]

Here you go.

 

[WSOPgold2012]

Good Evening All, Thank you for all your thoughtful contributions, much appreciated. Definitely leaning to the H55 based on your input. Will my current transfer case bolt up to the H55? From my research a while ago I think it does but I wanted to double check.

Cheers, James

Yes...but as mentioned, prlly the time to rebuild the TC as.well. I grabbed a new H55 + TCase from Kurt @cruiseroutfit They ship em assembled even. Made for an easy install + i dont have to worry about a rebuilt TC. Sold my old 4speed and Tcase for $600 which helped ease the pain a lil....

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Yes...but as mentioned, prlly the time to rebuild the TC as.well. I grabbed a new H55 + TCase from Kurt @cruiseroutfit They ship em assembled even. Made for an easy install + i dont have to worry about a rebuilt TC. Sold my old 4speed and Tcase for $600 which helped ease the pain a lil....

We like to ship them assembled too!

Of course we are happy to ship just the H55F transmission and keep a half dozen in stock for same day shipping.

 

[cps432]

And they’ve got the best prices and customer service. Bar none.

 

[Rgill]

As soon as I finish my TBI install the 5 speed is next on the list.

 

[ChaserFJ60]

I have a 2FE and ran it with both the H42 and H55F. Daily driving around town I love the H42. It has more pep in its step getting off the line of those never ending red lights. The H55F is slow to start and annoying in city driving conditions. I used to hate my H55F because of how slow it was off the line compared to the H42.
However, Now i commute on the highway and the H55F is perfect with its overdrive gear.

I would only not reccomend the H55F to somebody who daily drives in the city and doesnt go on highways, The H42 is king for that.