Transmission & Drive Shaft Question

[pb4ugo]

The 3 speed trans 1st gear is not syncronized , so it can grind going into 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts normally. The 4 speed trans is more refined and shifts very nice thru all the gears. 1st gear is lower than the 3 speeds 1st. The 3 speed tcase can have a lower low range than the 4 speed case. There's "4 wheel and off road " magazine article in the FAQs "tech links" section that covers a lot of basic differences between most all 1 piece tcases.

 

[FloridaLife]

The 3 speed trans 1st gear is not syncronized , so it can grind going into 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts normally. The 4 speed trans is more refined and shifts very nice thru all the gears. 1st gear is lower than the 3 speeds 1st. The 3 speed tcase can have a lower low range than the 4 speed case. There's "4 wheel and off road " magazine article in the FAQs "tech links" section that covers a lot of basic differences between most all 1 piece tcases.

Fantastic! Thank you!

 

[fireflyr]

It was a good amount of work but worth it. Went from 3 on the column to 4 on the floor but I see someone has a kit to go 4 on the column. That may save some time.
I had to lengthen the hi/lo range shiftrod, modify the Tcase to accept 16? Spline trans output, resize driveshafts. I’m sure I have forgotten a bunch but I did document it on here somewhere. Will look for a link.
Advantage is that you get a super low 1st gear but overall gearing stays the same. If you want to reduce rpm on the freeway you’ll need to get a 5 speed.

As for the driveshafts, put your stuff together first and measure everything. I’d hate to sell you something that’s wrong.

And it may be cheaper to have them done locally.

 

[fireflyr]

F.5 plus 4 spd

My F engine is coming out this week (burnt valve) to put in a '74 F.5 (transition engine; I really don't know what to call it). The guy I'm getting it from has also offered a 4 speed transmission and bell housing (I have a '67 with 3 spd). Will this basically bolt in or will I have to fabricate...

forum.ih8mud.com

Not sure how to do links but try the above.

 

[FloridaLife]

It was a good amount of work but worth it. Went from 3 on the column to 4 on the floor but I see someone has a kit to go 4 on the column. That may save some time.
I had to lengthen the hi/lo range shiftrod, modify the Tcase to accept 16? Spline trans output, resize driveshafts. I’m sure I have forgotten a bunch but I did document it on here somewhere. Will look for a link.
Advantage is that you get a super low 1st gear but overall gearing stays the same. If you want to reduce rpm on the freeway you’ll need to get a 5 speed.

As for the driveshafts, put your stuff together first and measure everything. I’d hate to sell you something that’s wrong.

And it may be cheaper to have them done locally.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Being a newbie, I'm a sponge for knowledge and new information. Share with me everything you can.

Thank you,
Don

 

[RevISK]

Using the search function here is clunky at best, the best way I’ve found it do a Google search including “FJ40” and locate the results from mud there.
“FJ40 3 to 4 speed conversion” should direct you to many if not most of the threads pertaining to your query.

 

[Chamba]

You will not gain any overdrive with the 4 speed though: 3rd on the 3 speed and 4th on the H41/H42 are both 1:1. All you gain is synchronised first and more gear selection.

 

[FloridaLife]

Using the search function here is clunky at best, the best way I’ve found it do a Google search including “FJ40” and locate the results from mud there.
“FJ40 3 to 4 speed conversion” should direct you to many if not most of the threads pertaining to your query.

Thank you.

 

[FloridaLife]

You will not gain any overdrive with the 4 speed though: 3rd on the 3 speed and 4th on the H41/H42 are both 1:1. All you gain is synchronised first and more gear selection.

That's good to know. It still may be worth swapping out to get the Synchromesh for my wife's sake, or she will drive it once and freak out thinking she's hurting it and never drive it again. And, she does know how to drive a stick, but not a 3 on the tree. LOL

 

[fireflyr]

I was set on going with a 5 speed myself and really just bought the 5.3 and 4L60e for the engine. A friend was going to buy the transmission from me. I started thinking that the overdrive automatic would work just fine and save me about $3500.

The 5 speed would add more value and be more fun to drive but at this point, I really don’t give a fup.

That linkage rod closest to the frame is what you will have to lengthen. Vacuum lines are easy enough to deal with. The 4 on the floor doesn’t require lengthening as a column shift would.
And just as a note, I really don’t know what the heck I’m doing. Coolerman and a host of others do though and as stated above, google search will bring you to MUD pretty quickly with the info you need.

 

[FloridaLife]

I was set on going with a 5 speed myself and really just bought the 5.3 and 4L60e for the engine. A friend was going to buy the transmission from me. I started thinking that the overdrive automatic would work just fine and save me about $3500.
View attachment 3635458
The 5 speed would add more value and be more fun to drive but at this point, I really don’t give a fup.

That linkage rod closest to the frame is what you will have to lengthen. Vacuum lines are easy enough to deal with. The 4 on the floor doesn’t require lengthening as a column shift would.
And just as a note, I really don’t know what the heck I’m doing. Coolerman and a host of others do though and as stated above, google search will bring you to MUD pretty quickly with the info you need.

Well it looks to me like you are doing a pretty darn good job to me! When I first decided to get the FJ40, I mentioned possibly doing an LS swap and my wife said "You don't need anything that fast!" LOL! Every since she used to be a Forensic Investigator for the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) she worries way too much about me going fast or riding a motorcycle. She said she likes me, and she picked up way to many dead bodies off the road from going too fast and or motorcycles getting run over by drivers not paying attention. But hey... I'm a guy.... VROOM VROOM!

 

[fireflyr]

Hmmmm. My wife encourages me to ride motorcycles and it was her encouragement to put the LS in that started me down this road…..
……and all the questions about my life insurance…

I knew it!! And I just thought she wanted me to have fun.

 

[FloridaLife]

Hmmmm. My wife encourages me to ride motorcycles and it was her encouragement to put the LS in that started me down this road…..
……and all the questions about my life insurance…

I knew it!! And I just thought she wanted me to have fun.

LOL!!! Every time my wife ragged on me about my bike, I'd say "Listen, it's a win / win... I get to enjoy riding it, and "IF" it gets me killed you become an instant MILLIONAIRE!" She did not care for my answer.

So.... If your wife is encouraging you to ride, and you're going to have a cool FJ40... You could pull a really cool looking small trailer with a SUPER COOL looking bike on it behind your FJ40 to events. Warning... The bike can be a chick magnet. Have you seen my pics of it?

 

[FloridaLife]

Hmmmm. My wife encourages me to ride motorcycles and it was her encouragement to put the LS in that started me down this road…..
……and all the questions about my life insurance…

I knew it!! And I just thought she wanted me to have fun.

Here's what your wife REALLY wants to see you riding... And I have the matching full quill ostrich leather tank bib, passenger seat, and saddle bags....

Trade - I'm considering trading....

I worked really hard getting this PERFECT for me. But, since I had to retire last month due to disability, my wife won't let me take it for a spin anymore. So, I am considering swapping it for a rebuilt (documented and done right) engine / clutch assembly / 4 speed transmission and transfer case...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[FloridaLife]

LOL!!! Every time my wife ragged on me about my bike, I'd say "Listen, it's a win / win... I get to enjoy riding it, and "IF" it gets me killed you become an instant MILLIONAIRE!" She did not care for my answer.

So.... If your wife is encouraging you to ride, and you're going to have a cool FJ40... You could pull a really cool looking small trailer with a SUPER COOL looking bike on it behind your FJ40 to events. Warning... The bike can be a chick magnet. Have you seen my pics of it?

Trade - I'm considering trading....

I worked really hard getting this PERFECT for me. But, since I had to retire last month due to disability, my wife won't let me take it for a spin anymore. So, I am considering swapping it for a rebuilt (documented and done right) engine / clutch assembly / 4 speed transmission and transfer case...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[charliemeyer007]

The 4sp has a synchro R as well as 1st - somewhat useful if trying to rock yourself out of a hole.

 

[FloridaLife]

The 4sp has a synchro R as well as 1st - somewhat useful if trying to rock yourself out of a hole.

Thank you for that info! I'm sold... 4 speed it is for me!