Wanted: 60s FJ45 trans hump

[Living in the Past]

My biggest concern with a body lift is how it will effect the steering column compared to the steering box. Second concern is since I plan on using a 78 cowl if I don't go with a 3FE and use a carburetor how will this effect the linkage. Guessing since if I go 2F will not being using a A440F making a body lift not necessary.

Curious Mark are you running the early four speed and one piece transfer case? Are still using the lower early cover? Later cover would have enough clearance. It the H55F I'm curious about as to how much taller the shifter area is. But unless I find a 4X series top cover it's a mute point.

PS the olive transmission cover in the pictures I posted I bought from you twenty years ago.

 

[woytovich]

I am running an H55f w/split TC.

FWIW I did a 2" body lift on my FJ60 and the steering was not an issue. And on the FJ60 I did modify the bracket on the firewall to get the throttle linkage to line up better.

 

[Living in the Past]

The steering on the 4X series is a column that is fixed at two location on the tub then attached to steering box just outside the firewall. There are no joints in the steering shaft to adjust for a body lift. On the 73 and later shaft uses connection at the box that will flex a little. Prior to that the shaft is really part of the box. 68 model and later had a flat bottom mounting surface but not sure how far off a spacer would would move the box because of the mounting angle. 67 model and earlier used clamp which would require remounting the pedestal to raise it. Probably going mini truck power steering in my 45 but that wouldn't happen until power train and cab are in place. Keep in mind the fenders and bib will need the same lift. Depending on how much lift because of the angle of the front member on the frame the bib will move forward unless you enlarge the holes to move it back. Properly lining up the front clip takes time to do it and seem rarely done. The front bib being a little forward will help the front edge of the hood rest on the pads better which causes damage to the lip of the hood when to far back. Fender wouldn't be flush with the bib though.

 

[65swb45]

The steering on the 4X series is a column that is fixed at two location on the tub then attached to steering box just outside the firewall. There are no joints in the steering shaft to adjust for a body lift. On the 73 and later shaft uses connection at the box that will flex a little. Prior to that the shaft is really part of the box. 68 model and later had a flat bottom mounting surface but not sure how far off a spacer would would move the box because of the mounting angle. 67 model and earlier used clamp which would require remounting the pedestal to raise it. Probably going mini truck power steering in my 45 but that wouldn't happen until power train and cab are in place. Keep in mind the fenders and bib will need the same lift. Depending on how much lift because of the angle of the front member on the frame the bib will move forward unless you enlarge the holes to move it back. Properly lining up the front clip takes time to do it and seem rarely done. The front bib being a little forward will help the front edge of the hood rest on the pads better which causes damage to the lip of the hood when to far back. Fender wouldn't be flush with the bib though.

John, believe it or not, alignment of the front clip was not that hard. I had already slotted the two lower fender brace holes [which made them more like later model fenders], oval-ed the two upper holes slightly, and put a 1/4" spacer under the bib. That's all it took.

As far as the steering column, the pre-67 mount was still close enough to the firewall to accommodate the box by simply rotating it in the clamp. My firewall boot was still supple enough to accommodate the steeper angle [which incidentally also improved leg room between the wheel and the seat. Shortly after I finished the body lift, I ended up putting short extensions onto both sides of the upper column clamp, returning the column to the middle of the firewall boot, and improving the legroom clearance even more. Had to notch the dash a tad to clear the turn signal stalk.

Stock 40 series trans cover.

Best

Mark

P.S. That trans cover looks like one that might have come off a rig in my backyard I owned even before I opened the shop!

 

[DomSmith]

When the time comes to put an H55 in my 45 my plan is to take out the original unmolested cover and mock it up with some structured foam to raise it up a little but still look as close to stock as possible and make a mold. Then create a fiberglass version.