12ht cruiser

[macneil]

hey guys picked up a 12ht cruiser for a steal its a 1 owner car has high kms but came with a high mount unused!!!

At the moment im in need of a tourer i know the history of the car and its fairly comfortable so i figure it could be a good base only problem it has a blown auto box..

is there a decent manual box i can install with out spending huge $$ on it? also whats the fuel economy on those? ive heard 10 - 12l/100 out in the country is this true?

[12ht]

hey mate i have a good going 12ht auto box in me shed as a spar but ill never use it make me a offer if ya interested.

[sambo]

ya its true,

I got 12.5l/100km coming back from the cape with 35s and 4" lift,

[Kon]

i got a 5spd manual box with the vac/push button transfer case, coming out of a hj61 if you're interested and in Perth..

[oldmate]

The cross member mounts are different between auto and manual 60 series, as are the tailshafts. The simple way will be to replace it with another auto box. Technically the auto is a better transmission than the manuals in the 60 series anyway.

[Kon]

The cross member mounts are different between auto and manual 60 series, as are the tailshafts. The simple way will be to replace it with another auto box. Technically the auto is a better transmission than the manuals in the 60 series anyway.

hey oldmate,
how so? the manual boxes are fairly indestructible with good servicing, many outlasting any of the engines they're behind...
Im not having a go, just asking the question, i dont know much about cruiser auto's because i prefer a manual

[oldmate]

The cross member mounts are different between auto and manual 60 series, as are the tailshafts. The simple way will be to replace it with another auto box. Technically the auto is a better transmission than the manuals in the 60 series anyway.

hey oldmate,
how so? the manual boxes are fairly indestructible with good servicing, many outlasting any of the engines they're behind...
Im not having a go, just asking the question, i dont know much about cruiser auto's because i prefer a manual

The old h55 five speeds did have issues with falling out of 5th gear. Plus the design of the fifth gear, size of the shafts and bearings and everything means it's not all that strong of a box. It is ultimately based on the older 4 speeds which were mosty behind low powered petrol engines that don't vibrate likethe diesel engines of the old days.

By the last of the h55's (in early 70 series with the first of the 1hz engines) the fifth gear problems were sorted, but the rest of the box was still not up to it. That's when the newer and much bigger h150/151 came in, in the first of the 80 series. (only to eventually face syncro problems)

If you are keen on a 5 speed, then my recommendation would be to get one from a good gearbox workshop, rather then the second hand market to avoid getting a lemon. If you can test drive the gearbox before buying then by all means do so, but be sure to get it up to highway speed, and into 5th gear making sure it doesn't fall out when decelerating. Make sure it's not noisy either when accelerating or decelerating (that would indicate bad bearings). In fact I'd recommend you test drive a manual (and a TD if you can, if not a petrol) to get a feel for the gearbox's performance. They do shift well in good condition, but the 1st and 2nd gearing is very low compared to the auto. Depending on your driving style you may find it difficult to pull out of streets and into traffic. The automatic does get you up to 40kph quicker, and a little more gracefully (ie without reving the nuts off the engine)