Seems like most threads are like this now that these cars are 15+.
Was my bro's and got it from him January 2016. I spent the last year customizing it to what I would want in an "adventure car" and replacing any and all parts that needed to be or would need to be soon.
Put A/T's on last nov. replaced all suspension components, timing belt redone, new radiator, new plugs, battery, filters. Replaced all fluids. Put a 7" pioneer in, underseat sub and installed a rearview camera. Tint. Swapped front seats for donor bmw 3-series seats (this took tremendous effort drilling out the old seat rails to put on the bmw rails). Led interior and TRS retrofit projectors. Pretty much done at this point with everything.
Have a 45 day cross country road trip at the end of august before my wife and I move to hawaii but now this happened. I dunno if I should trust this car to make the trip anymore. They're only 4-6hr drives between locations since we'll be staying 2-3 days here and there.
How it happened... We decided to take a trip up to maine this weekend, 680mi round trip to see how it'd do. Everything was fine until the last 2 miles when I was minutes from home sunday night. All of a sudden I couldn't go faster than 25 mph and it wouldn't shift out of 2nd. Brought it to my mech the next morning and he tells me now it's def shot.
I asked if maybe it was a solenoid, throttle position sensor, or something else that may be a "cheap" fix but he says it's not.
I just hit 123k. 01 sr5 4wd.
I was planning on changing the o2 sensors and front/rear brakes before the trip. Also a new alternator (cs144). That was the last on my to-do list.
Fixed, what do you think it's worth?
Anything else you think I need to have checked out or replaced asap?
Oh, no codes. No overheating. When i got home and emptied my cup holder, the items i pulled out where warm to the touch.
Didnt tow anything on the trip, just was the two of us and our two dogs, some luggage and a few things we bought. 400-500 lbs tops in the cabin all together.
No weird shifts or anything either. Drove perfectly fine until the end.
The 01 and 02 are known to have trans issues. The usual issue is the bearing that the overdrive planetary gear rides on implodes. Your issue is something different and I'm not so sure your transmission is completely cooked.
At 123k, I'd definitely fix it and keep it. Get a second opinion from another shop first before you do anything.
If you find the trans is definitely in need of replacing, you could do this yourself with the right tools and some help from a friend.
Here's a 3 part video
@infamousRNR
and I made replacing the auto trans on @inamousRNR 2002.
__________________ "My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it!"
It's at the shop so I can't check it. He just got back to me and said a rebuilt toyota trans would be $3500 all-in. 3 year 100k warranty. Before he got back to me, I was thinking it would be between 2-3k.
NEVER rely on ONE shop, go to several, YES it's a head-ache, YES it's time consuming, YES you will like one shop above the others... Go with your GUT feeling on the people and their skills.
I REALLY don't think your trans is bad, until you look at all the entire puzzle, it might be in need of service. and not shifting can mean to many things... have you check Trans Fluid level? low lever will keep it from shifting, have you checked other fluids, pink milk-shake?
I would keep that 123k 4runner... it has plenty of life left... do you have a toyota hobbyist shop nearby? I do and they do 'everything' toyota...didn't know until I went to the 4th shop... they are awesome.
All you could sell it for at the moment would be a parts car. Either find a used tranny, put it in, and sell it or get a new one like Tim and Sean did.
At 123k, I have to ask if this 4runner is going to paradise with you?
I had the bearing go out and fubar the original in my 2002 at almost the exact same milage. Replaced it with a Toyota reman, put a cooler on it and now watch temps pretty closely on trips, grades, etc. I would replace it. You should be able to do it for closer to 2500-3000. That is what I paid. It was rough, of course I had planned on that being bumper toy money. But these are great vehicles at the end of the day and worth keeping at that mileage.
Years ago I purchased a 4runner with low miles when all of a sudden it started shifting funny. After a week of investigation and speaking with the PO I found out he had put mystery marvel oil in the tranny.
Since the color of MM oil is reddish it blended perfectly with the at color and from initial inspection, the oil looked and smelled as it should but it was just not 100% atf oil causing it to shift funny. No codes at all. Runner was also a 2001
I flushed all the oil out with cheapie Walmart atf and then put synthetic atf and what do you know. Tranny came back to life and started shifting normally.
Just an idea that the fluid may not be what it seems.
I may have gotten lucky and your problem could be unrelated but you never know.
I see used transmissions on CL all the time for around $300 - $400. Find one you think is good and roll the dice. You can replace it ten times for the cost of one from your mechanic.
These trans normally go for hundreds of thousands of miles with no issue, so I would not be afraid of the right used one. Good luck!
My local trans shop charges 200 to remove and replace a trans. So in your case 3300 of your bill if for what I'm guessing is a Toyota reman trans. Seems high but your in a pickle. And he knows it.