What's a more difficult H55F swap? 75 pig or pre-85 FJ60

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SuperT

SuperT

10 Year 15 Year
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Sep 15, 2007
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Littleton, CO
I wasn't sure where to post this, 40/55 Tech, 60 series, or here. So, I'll start here.
I currently have a 75 FJ55 and would really like to have a 5 spd. I am also considering buying an FJ60.
Does anyone have experience with swapping an H55F 5 spd transmission into both an FJ55 and a pre-85 FJ60? Can you tell me which one is less difficult, in your opinion? From what I've read in doing a little research, they both sound like they have their challenges. The H55F into a post-85 FJ60 sounds like a pretty straight forward bolt on, so I already know that would be an easier option.
Thanks.
 
nuclearlemon said:
it's not about what's easiest...it's about the cool factor. and, let's face it, a pig with an h55 is flat out cool :grinpimp:
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I agree with you there Ige. Anything with a pig is just plain cooler.

Since buying this pig, I got married and now have 2 kids, so cool isn't the only thing I have to consider anymore unfortunately. Now I have to be practical too :frown:, and time and $$ are more limited.
 
Want a 60 with a 5 speed, buy a HJ60. They are out there. I had one and it is more civilized than my 55. Power steering, a/c, you can listen the radio when driving and 20+ mpg's.

No comparison to an 80 or newer LC but they are unique. However, nice 80's can be had for similar money and they are much more family friendly. Of course, mpg's are more like your 55.
 
These are good things to consider and we have discussed other cruisers like the FJ80 too. I will need shoulder belts, and I'm getting requests for a/c too. Hearing the radio on the highway would be nice as well. I'm expecting fairly poor gas mileage with any land cruiser, but since whatever I choose will be mostly for camping trips and not a daily driver, I'm not as worried about that. I have an attachment to the 55, and that's what makes it a tough decision.
 
5 speed swap in pre 85 60 or in 55 series is about square...now a post 86 60 and it gets a tab easier. I concur that the 6X series IS better for a family hauler, this is my personal experience with the 2 and a family with dogs and also having to serve as a daily driver. Our 62 series with a manual 4 speed is waaaay nicer with the kids and lady. If I had a 5 speed, it would go into the 62 in a heartbeat, although I'd be suffering from gear envy every day climbing into the 55...buying another cruiser will cost more than a completed H55 into FJ55 after bringing it up to par. If the 55 is still in need of repair, then as stated, a canadian HJ60/61/62 would be the way to go. you get all the gears, comfort and the bonus of diesel. Did I mention that the 62 series has working AC....sorry to NOT help you make up your mind...:p
 
Just reading your signature and thinking, why not just keep your 55. All it needs is the H55, maybe an engine swap, AC and some more sound deadening. You would spend more on a 60 after fixing it up. You already know 55's are far more fun to own than a 60. :) right!
 
Best advice I could give is... Keep the Fj55 the way it is. Buy a 99-02 4Runner, perfect family rig, safe, fast, good MPGs and they are practically like a small 80 series. Best of all they were all made in Japan, unlike some newer Toyotas. A fj55 will never be as safe, fast or quiet as a newer vehicle so enjoy it for what it is. Keep it for Sunday drives when you need to unwind.
 
Swap

6 kids - but mostly gone now - now grand kids - but not full time.

Have 75 FJ55 with an H55 and a 85 FJ60 with H55 both were great upgrades. The 55 also has , power steering going in now - added 370 pumkins from a 60, the disc brakes, 55 Gal LR tank, bucket seats, interior roll bar, lots of dynamat, ect ect ect. It's way cool and now being able to cruise at 75 and get 14 MPG is really nice.

But if i was going to be haulin kids I'd have to go with the 60. The 60 is way more comfortable, quieter, cooler (AC) and really just much easier - probably even safer?????.

Best bet is build em both with the 5 speed!
 
nuclearlemon said:
it's not about what's easiest...it's about the cool factor. and, let's face it, a pig with an h55 is flat out cool :grinpimp:
Click to expand...

Werd...

I would love to see a pictorial on how to put an H55F into a FJ-55. This would be the ultimate bacon!!!
 
lowtideride said:
Best advice I could give is... Keep the Fj55 the way it is. Buy a 99-02 4Runner, perfect family rig, safe, fast, good MPGs and they are practically like a small 80 series. Best of all they were all made in Japan, unlike some newer Toyotas. A fj55 will never be as safe, fast or quiet as a newer vehicle so enjoy it for what it is. Keep it for Sunday drives when you need to unwind.
Click to expand...

2x- we have a 55 & 80. It's really the best of both worlds.
 
Unless I'm mistaken a H55F in a FJ55 means switching to a split case. Switching to a split case means loosing the t-case e-brake. Are there kits available to add a t-case e-brake to the split case or are you committed to an axle swap to get e-brakes back there?
 
I have seen street rod kits that mount a small disc to the rear DS flange, and use a small caliper for e/parking brake.
I actually saved one of the rear disc rotors from my Civic for possible use this way.
60 series rear drums have parking brake built in, but not sure if these assemblies can be mounted on a 55/40 rear axle housing.
Late 40 rear axle housing had parking brake at rear wheel.
 
Man - a little searching would save all these questions :flipoff2: Yes, if you swap a H55 you have to use a split case and you loose the transfer case mounted ebrake. This leaves you two options, pay out the nose for a OEM split case ebrake setup from $OR or add a TSM disk to the transfer case. No, you cannot mount the late 40 or 60 series drum mounted ebrake to any stock FJ55 axle. You will also have to source some specialty bolts to mount the split case to said H55 (4 - 12mmx125mm/ 3 - 12mmx170mm), but this would be the same for the early 60. You will also have to source or fab a cross member to support the longer driveline, but again this would be the same on an early 60. The late 60s have a H42 with an extending spacer meaning it is the same length as a H55, which is why this swap is easier in that truck.

Hope this helps -

Tucker
 
tucker74 said:
Man - a little searching would save all these questions :flipoff2: Yes, if you swap a H55 you have to use a split case and you loose the transfer case mounted ebrake. This leaves you two options, pay out the nose for a OEM split case ebrake setup from $OR or add a TSM disk to the transfer case. No, you cannot mount the late 40 or 60 series drum mounted ebrake to any stock FJ55 axle. You will also have to source some specialty bolts to mount the split case to said H55 (4 - 12mmx125mm/ 3 - 12mmx170mm), but this would be the same for the early 60. You will also have to source or fab a cross member to support the longer driveline, but again this would be the same on an early 60. The late 60s have a H42 with an extending spacer meaning it is the same length as a H55, which is why this swap is easier in that truck.

Hope this helps -

Tucker
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Thanks Tucker. I think this answers my question and I appreciate the details (and saving me from having to burn some more search time). What this tells me is, like others have said, is that one is not easier than the other, they're both equally difficult. What it really comes down to is what vehicle would I rather have. Things like a/c, road noise, safety, speed, and coolness might be bigger factors in deciding whether I want to dump more $$ into my 55 or dump $$ into an early 60.

Throw in the other Toyota 4x4's I could consider getting (which I have, believe me) and the decision gets even tougher :bang:.
 
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