It says it is...GM Dexron II III and VI

Now it makes more sense. They updated the PI sheet in March. I doubt it’s a reformulation and rather a licensing issue that they finally resolved. Ok, I personally never had any detrimental issues using it, but rather just my OCD that never gets anywhere. Nor has anyone else here. But if you’re trying to squeeze life out of this transmission, then why use the thinnest fluid? My logic would be a name brand Dex/Merc with some Lucas stop slip. This is honestly all bs talk because who really knows when it will die. Just what I’d do from my experience with dying transmissions. Best of luck.

As many of you know, I'm always complaining about getting things to Alaska. Just wanted to throw out there that I got a 6 pack of genuine Toyota ATF Fluid from Amazon. I'll slowly swap the fluid over to it as time goes by.

I already did 3 or 4 quarts when I swapped my radiator so I'm off to a good start.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You may look into that option if you feel like changing your fluid.

Haha, I believe i'm a little OCD too a lot of times...that and I know how much it costs and the trouble it is to replace a tranny. On top of that, I have to take it to the dreaded "auto shop" to have the work done.

I just checked the Toyota OEM service manual and it states and I quote: ATF D-II or DEXRON III (DEXRON II) For this reason, I'm not going to use the Valvoline Maxlife after all, I just checked and it IS a thinner fluid as you posted...good call. The last thing i want to do with a high mileage tranny is put a thinner fluid in it. I got my info from the Valvoline website:

Valvoline Dex/Merc (probably closest viscosity to the OEM fluid)
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...2-ac162d889bd1

Valvoline Maxlife ATF (full synthetic and "compatible" with just about everything)
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...2-ac162d889bd1

For this reason I'm going to use the following...

Valvoline Import Multi Vehicle ATF (synthetic and also more similar viscosity ratings to standard Dex III)
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publi...2-ac162d889bd1

There goes my OCD kicking in again...haha. I'd say the thinner fluids are made to get better mpg's...just like the 0-20w motor oil which looks like water when you pour it. If anyone else is banging their head against the wall over what kind of fluid to chose, just remember you can't go wrong by using what the service manual recommends...even if it's the good ol' basic Dexron II/III without all the bells and whistles of the other brands.

Thanks again for all the feedback...oh look a squirrel...yeah i'm a little adhd too

Better choice IMO. With that said, Valvoline IMV is much harder to find, and even harder to find in a gallon bottle(if it exists). Might I also recommend Castrol High Mileage ATF?

It's so easy to overthink. Regardless, the only thing set in stone is that you need to start saving for a rebuild.

So .... did it stop slipping?

Oh and was the fluid low or just fine?

Btw I am pretty sure the fluid in that Amazon link (pictured below) is NOT the correct Toyota ATF for 3rd gen 4runner. That is for newer Toyota transmissions. The plastic bottles look different and it should be a different part number.


Not Correct:

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This is the correct Toyota OEM ATF for our years.

The price is high. I would buy it from Camelback instead. Use the 3% discount code and enjoy the tax free purchase. Combine with some other parts to get high enough for free shipping.

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Genuin...dp/B004SL5FM0/



CORRECT: Toyota 00718ATF00

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Even at $11 a quart(am I right?), that's still very pricey. At that point you are pushing into Redline D4 and Amsoil territory. And frankly I think that all of the major lubricant companies are capable of producing a Dexron 3 ATF. It's such a basic and universal spec for damn near every 90's vehicle in some way.

Edit: God I hate oil threads.

Sure and please note that I'm not pushing "everyone must use Toyota fluid" but if you do I want to make sure the correct Toyota bottle/part-number is listed for a 3rd Gen 4Runner (at least a 97 anyways).

Personally I have no idea how non-Toyota fluid holds up. I have never used anything but Toyota fluid and I've owned the truck since 65K miles. Now at 255K miles on original transmission. I am a bit late in the game to change things up.

For those folks who bought a 4Runner used (or anyone really) ... hey try whatever you prefer. I know that A LOT of folks here run non-Toyota ATF and have gotten fine results.

BTW, Camelback has it at < $9 / bottle and no tax. Shipping FedEx ground only $10 to California, free if you spend more on Camelback's site.

Also, this site is pretty awesome. Parts.Toyota.com simply click the search icon and paste in an OEM part number. Enter your zip code and look at competitive Toyota parts prices from local dealers. These are the dealers that want to play ball. It seems to work pretty well, at least for ATF.

--> https://parts.toyota.com/p/AUTOMATIC...0718ATF00.html
MSRP: $11.63, lists 3 local dealers based on zip and the cheapest is El Cajon for $8.31 local pickup. Not bad!

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Low and behold I it was a quart LOW, thanks to you and thegipper for your quick advise. Yes i'm an idiot, i missed the forest for the trees on that one. Stupid mistakes like this just makes my OCD worse. My bro and I re-dressed and re-clamped the tranny cooler lines a week or two ago and apparently that much fluid drained out during the process. I topped it off and haven't driven it yet, was waiting for a nice day to drop the pan and do the inspection.

As far as the Toyota WS goes, I'm sticking to Dex III or something with a similar viscosity. I couldn't find the actual numbers for the WS like I did for the Valvoline, but I heard enough bad stuff about the WS to keep me away from it. Funny how viscosity numbers matter when it comes to motor oil but viscosity numbers are all over the map on the atf for our trannys...and they all claim to be compatible.

Always check the simple/obvious stuff first. Often, that is all it is.

Glad you got it squared away.

First of all, I'm happy for you that your transmission is not toast. Secondly, Dude, you missed letting us in on a pretty big fact that you had been messy with your tranny cooler recently. This would have been a dead give-away that the culprit was most likely a fluid level that was too low.

Having all the facts helps us help you.

Yup.

The devil is in the details. Always provide as much information as possible even if you think it may be irrelevant.

My bad, fluid level was good at when I first installed it but I didn't like the way I routed the hoses and I added a heat resistant sheath for them...mainly for abrasion resistance. When removing the hoses I lost more fluid than I thought apparently... Sorry for wasting your time on my stupidity...not one of my finest moments

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

You didn't waste anyone's time. Don't sweat it, that's what we are here for. Everyone makes these kinds of mistakes.

Threads like this often help others (check the simple/easy stuff first).