So I dropped the 4R off at the dealership for a quick oil change and the check list came back with multiple pages of fails. I picked it up with over 200K on it, and plan to get going on most of it here as soon as the weather picks ups, but the one thing that caught me for surprise was a failing "transmission extension housing seal"

After extensive searching here I'm still lost on this one. I see a lot of reference to failing actuators and nightmares about things going south when attempting to repair it. My question is, where is the transmission extension housing seal located? Is this outside of this process? Is it a simple task in comparison? Can anyone point me in the direction of a write up if one exist? Thanks!

Oh also: Dealership wants upwards of $1200 to do this repair. hm?

'07 with a V8

You didn't mention if your ride was a 2x4 or 4x4. But in either case the issue is similar. The dealership is talking about the rear seal at the end of the trans that seals where the rear driveshaft enters the unit. If you have a 2x4, the process to replace the rear seal is fairly simple, you just have to remove the drive shaft, pry the old seal out, install a new seal, and re-install the drive shaft. If you have the 4x4, it is a bit more complicated. The shop manual indicates that the correct procedure to replace the rear seal is to drain and remove the transmission/transfer case assy., and then remove the driveshaft flange, and using a special tool pull the old seal out, and using another special tool install the new seal. Then reinstall the flange, install trans/transfer case back in vehicle, fill with new fluid. I haven't actually done a rear seal on the 4Runner, but I am not sure why one would have to remove the entire trans/transfer case just to replace that seal. Maybe one of the Toyota techs on the forum could shed more info on this.

Thank you for the reply, that answers a few questions. It's a 4x4.