Transmission and transfer case suggestions

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Jun 20, 2016
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Location
Eagle, NE
I am in a complete body off rebuild of a 77 FJ40. Frame has been blasted and painted, axels and differentionals, knuckles have been completely rebuilt. New disc brakes all around, custom springs from Alcan
and shackle reversal. Power steering installed, all new stainless brake lines, custom front and rear bumpers from Trail Tailor. The vehicle when complete will be used as a occasional daily driver, weekend runs to the lake with jet skis and cruising on hot summer nights with mild off road. Our 350 SB from Westcoast engines just arrived and now decision time on transmission and transfer case. Question?..... keep orig transfer case and use Advanced Adaptors to new tranny....new transfer case attached to new tranny...tranny recommendations? Was orig thinking of a 700R4 but hard to find. Was wanting to do a easy install of all the above into the FJ. Looking for some suggestions and "Thank you kindly" in advance for advice
 
A 700R4 is hard to find? I don't understand that statement as GM made them for many, many years and even now you can get them new.

Personally, I'd run a manual trans and there are many good options out there. Either way, I'd get the appropriate adapter and retain your factory transfer case based on what you say you're going to use the truck for. Probably the cheapest route would be a GM SM465 4 speed transmission as it will bolt directly to your SBC with the correct GM bellhousing. Those transmissions were used between 68'-91 I believe and the 12.5" case length will work nicely in your FJ40. If you install an auto trans, you're going to have to battle drivetrain placement and rear drive shaft lengths quite a bit.
 
The right 4 speed tranny for my FJ40??? SM420??

This is a mud thread, good info.

This is what I'm looking for, the right 10 spline SM465 to attach to my 3 speed transfer.

As Jan and Dean so aptly sang; "Go Granny Go Granny Go Granny Gear Go!" well I might have added a word there.
 
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Hi all,

From what you've told us of your intended use of the vehicle I'd suggest keeping things simple. Use the stock H42 four speed transmission and transfer case, and replace the 4.11 differentials with 3.70 ratio third members from a FJ60 (would help keep the RPMs down at high speeds.)

Good luck on the build!

Alan


I am in a complete body off rebuild of a 77 FJ40. Frame has been blasted and painted, axels and differentionals, knuckles have been completely rebuilt. New disc brakes all around, custom springs from Alcan
and shackle reversal. Power steering installed, all new stainless brake lines, custom front and rear bumpers from Trail Tailor. The vehicle when complete will be used as a occasional daily driver, weekend runs to the lake with jet skis and cruising on hot summer nights with mild off road. Our 350 SB from Westcoast engines just arrived and now decision time on transmission and transfer case. Question?..... keep orig transfer case and use Advanced Adaptors to new tranny....new transfer case attached to new tranny...tranny recommendations? Was orig thinking of a 700R4 but hard to find. Was wanting to do a easy install of all the above into the FJ. Looking for some suggestions and "Thank you kindly" in advance for advice
 

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