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Let's see your FJ case swap

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TACO828, Oct 11, 2016.

  1. Jun 2, 2025 at 7:51 PM
    #3301
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    2018 new Frame (thank you Rust!), FJ T-case swap. SPC(LR) UCAs, Bilstein 5100s front - rear, OME 883 at 0, HeadStrongOffRoad 3 leaf progressive AAL, MESO custom 2nd gen (Red/White) LED dome & Ultimate Maps, Spyder Halo Projector w LEDs (which SUCK), Spyder LED tails
    Good evening Tacoma World:
    A few years back I FJ cased my 2nd gen (2006 6 Speed) but left the set up with the stock style J-shifter. One of the best mods ever!
    That process had me pull the front of the case off leaving the gear set all attached to the rear of the case. (to swap out the Taco's Planetary gear parts)

    New project is a 3UZ engine swap... With that i'm changing transmissions to the R151F transmission (5 Speed), and this time, I am going to do a Twin Stick mod, and it is on a slightly different Tcase, this one is the VF2 top-shift. I am going to use the FrontRange Off road Twin-Sticks. Their instructions have the back of the case come off, to get the Pill out. further it says "carefully remove the shift rail".... but I can barely get a thin punch on a side of the roll pin.

    Has anyone been successful with removing the roll pin, so as to slide the shift rail out?
    Even if I were able to get it punched out, how would I be able to get the pin back into the hole for re-assembly? I'm not keen on the idea of stuffing soaked rags behind and it as is now and trying to grind off the lil foot nub.

    I think the best bet may be to put it back together now, and then pull the front snout and 4x flange off, and then re-split it but this time leaving the guts on the back side of the case (like a few years ago's experience went) and the shift rails should be then out in the open...

    Thoughts?, thanks-

    roll pin.jpg
    Pin and foot.jpg
    Foot sec to remove.jpg
     
  2. Jun 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM
    #3302
    6 gearT444E

    6 gearT444E Certified Electron Pusher

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    The “fast” way to do it can cause major issues if you foul it up. The tried and true, albeit longer way is to remove position sensors, remove front flange, remove drivers side spring and ball detent, and pull the case apart and leave guts of the case in the back half. Pull the whole hi/lo shift rail out and then knock the shift fork roll pin out with the rail outside of the case.

    just don’t lose the shift synchro keys when you pull the case apart! And note their orientation they won’t go back in one way, otherwise you won’t be shifting very smooth!
     
    dborrer[QUOTED] likes this.
  3. Jun 3, 2025 at 4:44 AM
    #3303
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    2018 new Frame (thank you Rust!), FJ T-case swap. SPC(LR) UCAs, Bilstein 5100s front - rear, OME 883 at 0, HeadStrongOffRoad 3 leaf progressive AAL, MESO custom 2nd gen (Red/White) LED dome & Ultimate Maps, Spyder Halo Projector w LEDs (which SUCK), Spyder LED tails
    Thank you Jeff!
    I had a bad feeling thinking about trying to get a cut off wheel in the shift hole...
    I will re-assemble tonight and take the front half off.

    I'm doing my best not to move the gear sets in any way... last thing I want to do is have any/the synchro's fall out.
     
  4. Jun 3, 2025 at 4:56 AM
    #3304
    DesertRatliff

    DesertRatliff Well-Known Member

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    Please, please, please do a swap/build thread on and let us know where it is. Thanks!!
     
    dborrer[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Jun 3, 2025 at 9:08 AM
    #3305
    Adventure4x4

    Adventure4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Funny you posted this. Im working on the same 3uz swap haha. Im going with the r156f transmission though.
     
    BassAckwards and DesertRatliff like this.
  6. Jun 3, 2025 at 9:18 AM
    #3306
    DesertRatliff

    DesertRatliff Well-Known Member

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    My above post applies to you and all other 3UZ, 2UZ and 1UR V8 swaps!
     
    Adventure4x4[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Jun 3, 2025 at 9:23 AM
    #3307
    6 gearT444E

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    Take the case apart in 2HI to try avoid the synchro keys falling out.
     
    TacoFMS likes this.
  8. Jun 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM
    #3308
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    2018 new Frame (thank you Rust!), FJ T-case swap. SPC(LR) UCAs, Bilstein 5100s front - rear, OME 883 at 0, HeadStrongOffRoad 3 leaf progressive AAL, MESO custom 2nd gen (Red/White) LED dome & Ultimate Maps, Spyder Halo Projector w LEDs (which SUCK), Spyder LED tails
    Sweet, lets collaborate :cheers:

    I was on Ebay and came across a R151F (just rebuilt by Nick at Yota1Performance -apparently they put in a lower first and second gear for a project that didn't come to fruition) and the guy sold it to me for what the rebuild cost, and no Core cost ($1,000 score).
     
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    Adventure4x4[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Jun 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
    #3309
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    DesertRatliff[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Jun 4, 2025 at 5:05 PM
    #3310
    Adventure4x4

    Adventure4x4 Well-Known Member

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    I like the simplicity of swapping in my fj case since its already mated up to my 6 speed. Plus I'll use the factory crossmember as my starting point for locating everything.
     
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  11. Jun 4, 2025 at 7:16 PM
    #3311
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    Tonight went overall well: Had to review some images from March of 2022 on my first ever case split.... that was helpful...

    So question is (for hopefully knowledge ONLY)- where are the 3 magic Synchros currently sitting; in the back Guts, or in the Front cases's gear set?
    I've yet to see them, and i've been looking in and around before all moves.


    Shift rail extraction from there was a breeze

    guts on back.jpg
    case front close.jpg
     
    Windigo and 6 gearT444E[QUOTED] like this.
  12. Jun 4, 2025 at 7:35 PM
    #3312
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    I wanted to also utilize my 6 speed RA60F transmission, but I have not been successful finding anyone that makes an adaptor to mate it up to a 1, 2 or 3 UZ engine. (outside of possibly Kelvin - CarTune Company out of NewZeland)

    What UZ & bell housing are you using?
     
  13. Jun 5, 2025 at 8:44 AM
    #3313
    Adventure4x4

    Adventure4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah plus the R15 series trans are more proven out. A little more inconvenient but it is what it is.

    3UZ from 05-10 as those vehicles use CAN communication. I wanted to go 2uz initially but the iron block is about 180lbs heavier. I havent found my donor vehicle yet. Either LS430 or GS. Whatever I can find first. The bell housing from the auto will work fine for the XAT adaptor. I do like northwest toys adapter bellhousing for the r150 trans as it uses oem parts and a clutch fork. I don't like the hydraulic TOB.
     
  14. Jun 5, 2025 at 3:49 PM
    #3314
    6 gearT444E

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    they lurk inside the front clutch sleeve

    upload_2025-6-5_18-49-50.jpg
     
    llamasmurf and dborrer[QUOTED] like this.
  15. Jun 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
    #3315
    dborrer

    dborrer Well-Known Member

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    Another good night here:

    So if i've learned (?), as long as the (right side, passenger side) shift rail is not moved from starting position, all things "should be okay"...
    I think that keeping the detent ball/spring in place (on each side of the rear case) is *super helpful* to keep the rails in place, thus avoiding the synchro drop issue.


    Nub is removed as best as I can tell it is supposed to be (?)... and back home.

    reinstalled rail.jpg
     
  16. Aug 13, 2025 at 5:27 PM
    #3316
    Balot64

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    FX-R HID retrofit, G2 Bak cover, N-fab step wanna be, Pop & Lock, Weathertech digifit floor mat, LED interior, OME front and rear shocks, OME 884, LR UCA, Wheeler 3 leaf pack. FJ black trail rims with 265/75/16 Michelin LTX MS2
    Any recommendation where to buy transfer case? Ive been looking at eBay or other website and most of ebay pictures are for references not the right parts they are selling, let me know if anyone have a good one wants to let it go.
     
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  17. Aug 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
    #3317
    vssman

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    Car-part.com or Hollanderparts.com
     
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  18. Aug 13, 2025 at 7:53 PM
    #3318
    Balot64

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    Jax to San Diego, now Jax again
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    Thank you, let me start looking.
     
  19. Aug 13, 2025 at 8:00 PM
    #3319
    Littles

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  20. Aug 14, 2025 at 1:30 AM
    #3320
    Balot64

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    Jax to San Diego, now Jax again
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    FX-R HID retrofit, G2 Bak cover, N-fab step wanna be, Pop & Lock, Weathertech digifit floor mat, LED interior, OME front and rear shocks, OME 884, LR UCA, Wheeler 3 leaf pack. FJ black trail rims with 265/75/16 Michelin LTX MS2
    LKQ shipping is expensive and to save some shipping cost, I need to drive about two hours for thier pickup location from where I live and no warranty at all because they asking for vin number to have one, that’s what they told me when I called them. Thank you for your help.
     

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