To everyone that has done this, did you also replace the lines running to/from the top half of the transmission pan? I'm having trouble figuring out how to remove these fittings:



I'm kind of stumped as to what tool to use. I don't have very much clearance, even with my exhaust detached.

They're pretty rusted so I'm considering just cutting them with my Sawzall and try to get a socket over the fitting. Either at the line, or cut the right angle itself and try to get a wrench over that. I ordered all new brackets and parts from Toyota, so I can replace the whole system short of the pan itself, lol.

Any ideas are appreciated!

P.S. Tip while I'm here, be careful ordering transmission filters from RockAuto. They have several listed incorrectly as fitting our trucks. I bought the AC Delco and was already covered in trans fluid before I saw it was not the right one. And put your pan gasket under some books the night before to flatten it out!

You can use a small plumbers tube cutter which doesnt create any fragments. Then remove and replace the fittings.

I was just replacing the radiator and water pump on my ‘07 sport when I noticed the hard lines below the radiator were crumbling. The drivers side was beyond hope but the passengers side had some life left. I cut the pipes 4” from the passenger side bracket (between brackets). Removed the drivers side pipe and bracket and just connected 3/8” tranny hose to the cut pipe with a screw type hose clamp. Cost $0. I was also adding a tranny cooler so I had the extra hose needed. This way the hose was still secured to the radiator support.

Note to all: If you havent checked your steel lines in a while. You should. They were not coated very well and are most likely corroded.

I have a 2005 4runner SR5 with 150000 miles and not a speck of rust on the painted body anywhere. All the brake lines, abs lines and tranny lines are AOK, and I’m always looking for fluid leaks.

IHad a GM Jimmy from new and a Caddy two years old. The JIMmy brake lines rusted out everywhere and had to buy and replace within ten years and the entire body was full of rust.

Never had any issues with rusted transmission lines.

I live in the hot hot hot Bahamas.

The under frame of the 4runner has very minor superficial rust and the grey under coat is looking good.

My 4runner came from Japan and was never landed in the USA. I’m not sure it even has Cadilatic converters. Is that possible?

consider yourself lucky you live on a tropical island & dont have to deal with rust issues... 99.9% of 4runner owners on here live in the states & many of them in snowy climates that have to deal with rust.

& yes your 4runner has "catalytic" converters, required for emissions on all modern vehicles....

I had to replace mine a few months ago. Rust sucks.

Was planning on replacing mine today. Can you replace them without draining the tranny fluid? Will I lose much fluid. My truck goes in next week to have the dreaded evaporator coil replaced so I was going to have them make sure my fluid levels are okay but would like to replace the leaky lines today if I won't lose too much fluid.

Thanks for any advice

Go ahead and replace the lines but have a pan or 2 there to catch any fluid that drains out, if it's more than a pint add however much leaked out, if less than a pint I don't think it will hurt anything to wait until you take it in....unless it's a good bit low now.

I don't think you will lose too much fluid doing the lines but I would be prepared to added some if need be.

Thanks for the reply. I attempted it today but was defeated by the spring hose clamps. 3 of the 4 came right off but the one was so rusted the "ears" broke off as soon as I squeezed them. I thought the rest would be easy to destroy but apparently there was some good steel left in it. Only thing I could think of was using a Dremel cut off to cut it but I don't own one so I'll just ask my shop to do it. Felt pretty pathetic. Seems like a simple job. Of course I also wasn't sure that I could get the corroded tubs out of the rubber hose without damaging the hose either so probably best to let the shop do it, I guess.