Are there any bulletproof manual tranny swaps that anyone can think of for a nice granny low 1st gear but with syncromesh and at least 4spd.

It would have to fit into a FJ40 driveline, so H55, NV4500, etc.. would be out. I will be flipping rear springs so that will give me a couple of inches of extra driveline length.

All I hear about is SM420/465 conversions which are cool for crawling but I really hate driving 3spds esp. w/out syncromesh on 1st.

Right now H41 is all I can think of, but I'd like an even lower 1st gear if possible.:question:

Jason, I am running the H41 with 3 speed case in my 40 and love the 1st gear low. I think that if you can find one, it's the easist swap for a 40 series if you really want to keep the synrco gears. I don't know what size tire you are planning on running but, even with my 35's I have no problems........

I don't know what you're talking about, your not gonna find a tranny thats a 5 speed with a granny low other than like the NV4500 or the old Clark 5spds. Whats wrong with the gear ratio of 2nd gear in say a 420 or 465 or 435 or T-18?? Most are near 2.5-3:1, so thats a good take off gear.

Jeff

Sorry, what I meant by "4+" was I would be happy with at least a 4spd (ie. 4 or 5spd).

Or to put it another way better than a 3spd.

:D

My experience with 3spds is really limited to my Toy 3spd which as I mentioned I really hated to drive. I like the feel and "drivability" of the H42 and H55.

I would think the SM420/465 3spds w/out syncro would make for kind of harsh "around town" type of driving (with only 3spds I would think it would be hard to get a range that is good at crawl,around town, and highway speed)?

I have a SM420 in my daily driver, I've never had a problem with it around town.
The non syncro 1st gear doesn't matter because you don't use it
I've been driving it for more then 5 years and wouldn't change it, it's tough, cheap, and well proven.
The tranny I had in my 1972 FJ40 was a factory 3 speed, that was a pain!

Please tell me why the NV4500 is "out" of this consideration. I sure like it in my Fj40.

Originally posted by Medusa
Please tell me why the NV4500 is "out" of this consideration. I sure like it in my Fj40.

I assumed (guess that makes ME an ASS! :p) it would be too long for the FJ40 drive train? I've been told that the longer late model (85+) wagon H42's and H55's are too long for the FJ40 (they don't fit with the crossmember and don't leave enough driveshaft length).

I would LOVE a NV4500. Can you give details to your installation (did it fit without cutting the frame crossmember, what are your driveshaft lengths, etc...).

nv5600? 6 speed.

I run on my '79 BJ40: H41 plus planetary OD in rear PTO cover (got it from Specter, it was a one-off deal from Japan) plus 4.88s, with 32" tires. So 1st is 47:1, just a bit taller than 52-53:1 of s SM4xx/4.11s/16 spl. TC, and I'm all synchro and I occaisonally use 1st in city driving. 4th OD is 3.50. If money is no object you could go H41/Mark's overdrive/4.56 or 4.88. Or H55F/Mark's 0.92/2.81 gears/4.56 or 4.88. Both will get you good low range gearing, proper top gearing, all synchro.
Charlie

I'm doing 4.88's. I haven't decided on tire yet but it will be in the 35" to 37" range (SX or Bogger).

I'd definitely like to hear more about how the H55 or NV4500 fits in the FJ40.

From a length perspective so far it seems like the H41 might be the way to go. I'll have to check into Mark's overdrive (hadn't really thought seriously about using one of those).

I would LOVE a NV4500. Can you give details to your installation (did it fit without cutting the frame crossmember, what are your driveshaft lengths, etc...).

I have a rather complete writeup with pictures on my Fj40 website
Here (http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jrice/Cruiser.html) . I moved the crossmember back about 3" but did not flip the rear springs. I have a spring over so the rear driveshaft is short and steep, but with a CV joint and a good torque bar, it poses no problems.

Originally posted by Medusa


I have a rather complete writeup with pictures on my Fj40 website
Here (http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~jrice/Cruiser.html) . I moved the crossmember back about 3" but did not flip the rear springs. I have a spring over so the rear driveshaft is short and steep, but with a CV joint and a good torque bar, it poses no problems.

Thanks! Nice write-up. That is a sweet setup. :smokin:

Originally posted by Cruiserhaven


Thanks! Nice write-up. That is a sweet setup. :smokin:

Love the SHOP, too! ;-)

A nice 2400 sq ft shop is on my dream list. With a full size mill (Index), metal lathe (LeBlond) and lots of other stuff.... barely enough room to get my FJ40 in my garage! Sigh.

Tom :usa:

Originally posted by Cruiserhaven


I assumed (guess that makes ME an ASS! :p) it would be too long for the FJ40 drive train? I've been told that the longer late model (85+) wagon H42's and H55's are too long for the FJ40 (they don't fit with the crossmember and don't leave enough driveshaft length).



What are you talking about? The H55 will fit in a stock FJ40 just fine. It even clears the rear cross member, except maybe in a 3-spd application. If you flip your springs, you will have a longer d-shaft than with a 4-spd. I've seen many H55s in FJ40s.

Originally posted by FeCamel


What are you talking about? The H55 will fit in a stock FJ40 just fine. It even clears the rear cross member, except maybe in a 3-spd application. If you flip your springs, you will have a longer d-shaft than with a 4-spd. I've seen many H55s in FJ40s.

The people I've talke to in the past about installing a late model H42 (ie the longer version) or the H55 have said there would be problems. Here is a direct quote from one person, who BTW is a respected LC shop guy:

"The drawback to the 85-87 4-speed is that it has the "fake O/D" extension housing on it. The extra length that should house 5th gear, but we didn't get the overdrive. When installing this
tranny into an earlier FJ40, the extra length makes for a very short rear driveshaft w/ steep u-joint angles, and there is a clearance/ interference problem w/ the crossmember behind the tranny. "

I think its clear that you will have a pretty short driveline with the late model H42/H55, especially if you don't flip your rear springs. With the spring flip the driveline length might be a wash? Which leaves the crossmember clearance question in my mind. Could it be that some people running them in their FJ40's have relocated or modified their crossmembers?

:confused:

I believe you have to remove/relocate the cross member in FJ40s that had a 3-spd. I have seen many pictures of an H55 clearing that cross member in a 4-spd equipped (originally) FJ40. The H55/late year H42 is 2" longer than the early 4-spd. Reversing your springs nets 3.5". Assuming the t-cases are equal in output location, your new driveline with H55 and reversed springs would be 1.5" LONGER. It also depends on how you do your parking brake. If you tried to keep the t-case mounted brake, it might interfere with the cross member, I'm not sure on this one. I see very few people using a t-case brake when they install an H55/split case.

In any case, you can fit a late year H42, an H55, or an NV4500 in your FJ40. It might take a little more thought and work, but that shouldn't stop you.

Medusa if a person was to use the nv4500
and the atlas would this be shorter
or longer than the nv4500 and toy case ?

I think the H55/split case would be too long with the parking brake on it behind a 6 cyl. I installed the NV4500/splitcase with parking brake and I had to cut out the cross member and I run V8... H55/splitcase and a V8 would be fine as the engine is generally 4 inches forward and the H55/splitcase is about 3.75" longer than a h42/41 and 1 piece case...

Medusa if a person was to use the nv4500
and the atlas would this be shorter
or longer than the nv4500 and toy case ?

The NV4500 + Atlas would be shorter thant the NV4500 + adapter + Toy transfer case. BUT relative to the Toy transfer case with an offset and lowered rear output, the Atlas rear output is centered and higher (by about 6"). Because of this, my guess is that the drivehaft ends up close to the same length, but more inclined on the Atlas. And of course, with the Atlas you need a centered rear axle assembly.

BTW, I think an NV4500 and Atlas would be a great combination if one had the $$$$

medusa im not shure i follow your logic

if it is raised 6 inches trig would tell
me that it would be a longer drive shaft.

ps I have heard of peopple running a centered
output whith the off center rear end.
but obviously this would only work if the drive line is long enugh.

Brett-et al-

The h55 fits into earlier cruisers well, but it is tight. I know of a stock F 1969 that just got one in the last 2 months and it missed the cross over tube and I am pretty sure he had a drum brake. I know a 1980 with a H55 that was close, but still made it ok and there must be other installs. V8 40's should clear fine as the whole assembly is moved about 3" forward.