Builds Unicorns are real... My dream car FJ73 build

[Honger]

I hope this gives you inspiration. It sucked to do this on my wife’s gx470. All others are simple(r). Just be methodical with pics of each step.

View attachment 2071159

Whoa! No thanks.
The Troopy's dash disassembly proved pretty easy actually.

Thread-hacking over... back to the Unicorn.

 

[2fpower]

Footnote:

I also see folding wiper arms so I bet the door frames are removable. Way cool truck.

If that was mine I would put an LS in it, lift it about 3 inches, put factory flares on it, move the front axle forward an inch and put 305/70/16 Mikey Thompson Baja MTZP3s with OEM 80 Series 16x8 steel wheels with 1.5 inch Spidertrax spacers.

Then I would drive the wheels off of it.

Yes, it appears that the frames are removable on the front doors and the rear doors too.

I have played for so long in the 40 and 80 world, I really need help and advice what to do and appreciate your comments, as that is about exactly what I want to do. I Love good advice.

Let's get this started!!!

What 3" lift to buy? To move the front wheel forward do you move the hangers or are there springs with the centering hole forward?

I am not a fan of crate motors as you still have to get all the ancillary parts, so I will be looking for a wrecked low mileage chevy with an LS. I have always used advanced adapters products, so will plan to go with them.

From my limited research, I will need a new input shaft for the tranny. Anyone know a part number?

 

[2fpower]

I hope this gives you inspiration. It sucked to do this on my wife’s gx470. All others are simple(r). Just be methodical with pics of each step.

View attachment 2071159

Rocky Horror Picture show there!

 

[2fpower]

I wonder what those people call you if they don’t know your name? You definitely must have one of the more unique collections in the area. I know in my neighborhood there is “old rusty Mustang collector”, “old Volvo guy” and “fast n furious kid”. Don’t know their real names.

Luckily, I live outside of town with enough property no-one can see all my toys.

I drove FOO, (my offroad topless 80 on Volvo portal axles) up to the garage yesterday to start chopping fenders to fit 39.5" tires under, and made me think I should get a picture of the entire Fleet.

 

[cruiserdan]

Yes, it appears that the frames are removable on the front doors and the rear doors too.

I have played for so long in the 40 and 80 world, I really need help and advice what to do and appreciate your comments, as that is about exactly what I want to do. I Love good advice.

Let's get this started!!!

What 3" lift to buy? To move the front wheel forward do you move the hangers or are there springs with the centering hole forward?

I am not a fan of crate motors as you still have to get all the ancillary parts, so I will be looking for a wrecked low mileage chevy with an LS. I have always used advanced adapters products, so will plan to go with them.

From my limited research, I will need a new input shaft for the tranny. Anyone know a part number?

For the lift call Cruiser Outfitters. I have not personally moved the front axle forward but basically you drill new holes for the spring pins in the axle spring perches.

 

[2fpower]

Guess I will be talking to you soon @cruiseroutfit . I have not been happy with OME shocks, so do you sell just new springs or do you have other thoughts?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Guess I will be talking to you soon @cruiseroutfit . I have not been happy with OME shocks, so do you sell just new springs or do you have other thoughts?

We sell everything individually and may have some other shock options for you as well.

 

[2fpower]

Still trying to dig information about what input shaft I need to mate up with a LS motor. Found some great info from @AlbertoSD

To add some additional images to this thread, below is a photo of 3 of the input shafts that Toyota offered for the H55f transmission:

View attachment 1232443

Left: F, 2F, 3F, H, 2H, 12HT type H55 input shaft.
Middle: HZ type H55 input shaft
Right: B, 2B, 3B, 13BT type H55 input shaft

I've included what I've found through reading on the forum. The photo above also shows the late iteration of the H55 input shafts with the bigger bearing and the late type front bearing retainer. Please correct me if I have listed them wrong.

For reference:

HZ type H55 input shaft part number:

View attachment 1232464

Late 3B type H55 input shaft part number:

View attachment 1232465

Hope this helps,

-Alberto

 

[AlbertoSD]

Well, Kelly!!!!

Such a cool fleet of Land Cruisers you have now!!!!

SUPER jealous!!!!!

-Alberto

 

[2fpower]

Not finding lots of info on the h55 to LS swap. AA has a kit for it, but most people are posting to put a LS with NV4500 and adapt to the transfer case, which would have to be an early transfer case too. Basically would not use anything on this driveline to the axles.

Hmmm. Anyone point me to a success story here doing an LS swap?

 

[cruiserdan]

I Believe Georg did one.

 

[AlbertoSD]

I have no experience doing LS swaps, but, considering that the H55 with the F-type input shaft is the most common here in the US, I would assume that's the one the AA kits are designed for....but again, it is just an assumption. Though, if I was a betting man, I would feel pretty good about my guess hahahaha

Hope this helps!

-Alberto

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Any of the Advance Adapters to LC transmission kits are going to utilize the F/H variant H55F as it's identical splines and length as a US 4spd. So for the LS to F/H variant H55F you just use a LS to 4spd kit. Advance Adapters website even lists the 5 spd to Chevy LS kits specifically. I've not seen any of them specific to the 1HZ or B variant H55F's.

Is that what you were asking?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

We (Cruiser Outfitters) stock the F/H H55F input shaft loose should you choose to go that route too... the issue would be the input nose cone. Also possible to run your existing transmission with a spacer on the adapter bellhousing and a 21 spline clutch.

 

[FJ73Texas]

I know the guy who bought my FJ73 is doing a LS swap and if I remember correctly, he is using AA kit using the existing H55F. He isn't much of a forum guy though or I would ask him to chime in.

 

[2fpower]

We (Cruiser Outfitters) stock the F/H H55F input shaft loose should you choose to go that route too... the issue would be the input nose cone. Also possible to run your existing transmission with a spacer on the adapter bellhousing and a 21 spline clutch.

You said the issue is the nose cone, so would I need to replace that too or just mill it down?

@orangefj45 you still around MUD? Any opinions?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I know the guy who bought my FJ73 is doing a LS swap and if I remember correctly, he is using AA kit using the existing H55F. He isn't much of a forum guy though or I would ask him to chime in.

FJ73 would be easier as the F trans will let it use a direct AA kit fwiw.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

You said the issue is the nose cone, so would I need to replace that too or just mill it down?

I've not closely compared the two different front bearing retainers (33131-60050 for the B & 33131-60040 for the F/H) nor tried to modify one for a LS. We have pallets of new F/H & 1HZ H55F's and split t-cases here in the shop so that generally drives my parts selection

 

[2fpower]

Sounds like I also need to look at gear ratios on tranny/overdrive on the 55 tranny too before I commit to this path.

Don't get me wrong..., I love the NV4500 in my 40 series, so if that is the way to go, batter up.

Open to anyone's thoughts. @cruiseroutfit - Thanks for your posts, very helpful.

 

[2fpower]

Ok, @AlbertoSD shot me a text and got me wondering if I was going the wrong direction so did some research. Found this nugget from someone I trust.....

Happened upon thread, on another hunt for an elusive unicorn, but wanted to answer for posterity.

The VM'd BJ73s use an F/H input shaft, F/H clutch slave, and F/H clutch, F/H flywheel.