FJ80 ← H42. Would you do it or rebuild the A440?

[Pskhaat]

1991 FJ80. Vehicle sat for 3 months and when driving again the transmission slips across 1-2 nd gearing (yet not in 3rd/4th). Takes me some rpm range finding to get through a traffic light. Not good.

I'm told from a few transmission shops about $3000 for an a440 rebuild. There may be less expensive places. I have zero love and knowledge for auto transmissions.

The beautiful 3F-E of course can take a plethora of manuals. I understand @timmbuck2 has a couple H42+tcases+bellhousings+clutches+assemblies at the ready. It's been done a few times. Yes, an H55f is the preferable option, but I'm on a stupidly tight budget here. Gear calculations here; gearing suffers for pavement.

There are a lot of nuances (cutting and installing a clutch assembly), I'm sure it will be 2x the estimated cost and 3x the estimated amount of time to do.

Would you do this swap? I don't have a driveway nor space to perform this work, but I'm loathe to spend $3k on slushboxen.

 

[Pskhaat]

And not terrible looking either:

 

[Corbet]

I don't think I'd do it without the 5-speed. And while I really enjoy driving a manual I really prefer an auto in the rocks. So I'd just rebuild or find a used automatic.

 

[jps8460]

1991 FJ80. Vehicle sat for 3 months and when driving again the transmission slips across 1-2 nd gearing (yet not in 3rd/4th). Takes me some rpm range finding to get through a traffic light. Not good.

I'm told from a few transmission shops about $3000 for an a440 rebuild. There may be less expensive places. I have zero love and knowledge for auto transmissions.

The beautiful 3F-E of course can take a plethora of manuals. I understand @timmbuck2 has a couple H42+tcases+bellhousings+clutches+assemblies at the ready. It's been done a few times. Yes, an H55f is the preferable option, but I'm on a stupidly tight budget here. Gear calculations here; gearing suffers for pavement.

There are a lot of nuances (cutting and installing a clutch assembly), I'm sure it will be 2x the estimated cost and 3x the estimated amount of time to do.

Would you do this swap? I don't have a driveway nor space to perform this work, but I'm loathe to spend $3k on slushboxen.

Have you spent some time diagnosing your current situation? Generally speaking auto transmissions don’t just break from sitting.

I’m with Corbet, like autos in most technical terrain. Though the manuals can be fun. I’d go H55 if you’re going to go the beating of converting it.

 

[RayRay27]

1991 FJ80. Vehicle sat for 3 months and when driving again the transmission slips across 1-2 nd gearing (yet not in 3rd/4th). Takes me some rpm range finding to get through a traffic light. Not good.

I'm told from a few transmission shops about $3000 for an a440 rebuild. There may be less expensive places. I have zero love and knowledge for auto transmissions.

The beautiful 3F-E of course can take a plethora of manuals. I understand @timmbuck2 has a couple H42+tcases+bellhousings+clutches+assemblies at the ready. It's been done a few times. Yes, an H55f is the preferable option, but I'm on a stupidly tight budget here. Gear calculations here; gearing suffers for pavement.

There are a lot of nuances (cutting and installing a clutch assembly), I'm sure it will be 2x the estimated cost and 3x the estimated amount of time to do.

Would you do this swap? I don't have a driveway nor space to perform this work, but I'm loathe to spend $3k on slushboxen.

You should reach out to @Stuckinthe80s about this. He did a swap in his 3fe before his 2UZ swap.

 

[Pskhaat]

Have you spent some time diagnosing your current situation? Generally speaking auto transmissions don’t just break from sitting.

I'm certain things were amiss well prior to the term of it not in use. I can't quite determine what that was in any way a critical change event.

ATF change no avail, color of old was perfectly good, don't have an age on the old. The only next thing is to open her up.

I’d go H55 if you’re going to go the beating of converting it.

I don't disagree. Budget just doesn't allow.

 

[jps8460]

I'm certain things were amiss well prior to the term of it not in use. I can't quite determine what that was in any way a critical change event.

ATF change no avail, color of old was perfectly good, don't have an age on the old. The only next thing is to open her up.



I don't disagree. Budget just doesn't allow.

At least get a late fj60 h42 so it makes the h55 snap easier later on, it will also come with the correct bell housing.

 

[Inukshuk]

Did it shift fine before sitting? Did a rodent chew a wire?

You should be able to find a used transmission cheap and easy. Far less than $3k. These things rarely fail.

I recommend reaching out to Proffitt's. www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com They probably have a pile of them from all the engine swaps. Even if they do not, engine swapping 91/92's is popular so there should be reasonable ones. Maybe also Cruisers & Company.

 

[Pskhaat]

Did it shift fine before sitting?

It has always been more slush than box, but never slipped.

I recommend reaching out to Proffitt's. www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com They probably have a pile of them from all the engine swaps. Even if they do not, engine swapping 91/92's is popular so there should be reasonable ones.

Good point with Jeremiah!

 

[DaveInDenver]

No idea on the A440 rebuild or issues.

But on the topic of swapping to a H42 I'll say I support your logic. Using what's available without needing to perform a total cashectomy to achieve is better than chasing some vague perfection. Is overdrive nice? Abso-friggin-lutely. Does your use case require it? Sounds like maybe not.

I haven't regularly driven an automatic vehicle since 1988, so I'm definitely sympathetic. Do they suck in rocks? I guess but I don't know any better and I prefer being in control. I like rowing gears.

Now that I think about it the only one we've had was that 2003 4Runner and we only kept it a year, neither of us really liked driving it. Although to be fair part of the reason for that was the stupid VSC. It kicked in trying to clear a snowy intersection and I was crawling through, I was mentally done. Nope, no car is going to do the driving for me.

"I acknowledge your version of reality and choose to insert my own."

 

[Corbet]

Classic Cruisers would be another source for a used transmission.

 

[Pskhaat]

At least get a late fj60 h42 so it makes the h55 snap easier later on, it will also come with the correct bell housing.

¿That was 1986+ IIRC?

 

[jps8460]

¿That was 1986+ IIRC?

Yep. Maybe the trans throttle cable is sticking on your 440? Was just trying to think of what would cause a lazy shift/slip from sitting.

Anyhow, good luck! Keep us posted on what you decide

 

[KC Masterpiece]

I replaced the trans in my 80. I got a used one from Yota Yard. $500 with around 130k on it. Can't remember exactly. Different trans with the 1fz but same principal

Does the 440 have solenoids? I expected that was the issue in mine but I never diagnosed. I had to do the rear main anyways, and it was cheaper to swap in a lower mileage used unit.

It was from a LX450 so the shifts are ever so slightly more refined.

 

[Pskhaat]

I replaced the trans in my 80. I got a used one from Yota Yard. $500 with around 130k on it. ...

Does the 440 have solenoids?

I'm inspired (a little bit) to look around a little more for another 440. I forget about Yota Jims. Maybe I'll head up and see what there is.

I no longer really do rock crawling, I miss manual, but I like eating and having a roof over my head more.

 

[Crash]

I replaced the trans in my 80. I got a used one from Yota Yard. $500 with around 130k on it. Can't remember exactly. Different trans with the 1fz but same principal

Does the 440 have solenoids? I expected that was the issue in mine but I never diagnosed. I had to do the rear main anyways, and it was cheaper to swap in a lower mileage used unit.

It was from a LX450 so the shifts are ever so slightly more refined.

No solenoids in the A440F, it’s all hydraulic activated.