2004 SR5 4.0 with 4spd transmission with 165K. Getting ready to change transmission fluid and wondering if I should go ahead and change the filter.

I purchased the vehicle new and has has had one other transmission service at the dealer. Not sure if they flushed it all or just dropped the couple quarts and refilled.

The fluid seems like it is still in good shape. Looks clean no burn smell on the dip stick.

I have the filter on hand if we think I should take the extra time to change it.

There are some who think the Toyota approved drain & refill (3 qts?) is superior to a large change of fluid by a flush.
The assumption is the lock up Torque Converter clutch & other components benefits from older fluid. So unless you have ruined the fluid with overheating, the drain & refill is preferred.
The filter is actually a screen with large mesh so it rarely requires changing.
A benefit to dropping the pan is to clean metallic sediments from the magnets in the bottom of the pan.
I would start by draining into a clean clear container (provide a container if using dealer).
Smell for burnt odor and examine color and possible sediment. If all okay refill with precise quantity required.
If fluid looks very dark and/or smells burnt I would drop the pan and investigate.
The attached screen shot has interesting information on this subject.

Attached Images

 

Follow this.

Couldn't be easier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RumPXivBlk8

Great video. Thanks for the link.

Service Manual for 4th Gen 4Runner (2007)

• A750e Automatic Transmission: Automatic Transmission Fluid: Adjustment (PDF)

Note the service manual document for this service shows same steps and specs for A750E and A750F transmission.

ADJUSTMENT

1. BEFORE FILLING TRANSMISSION

• This transmission requires Toyota Genuine ATF WS.
• It is necessary to refill the transmission with the correct amount of fluid.
• The vehicle must remain level while adjusting the transmission fluid level.
• On vehicles equipped with active suspension, turn the suspension control switch OFF if it is necessary to jack up the vehicle with the engine running.

2. TRANSMISSION PAN FILL

(a) Remove the refill plug and overflow plug.

(b) Fill the transmission through the refill hole until fluid begins to trickle out of the overflow tube.

(c) Reinstall the overflow plug.

3. TRANSMISSION FILL

(a) Fill the transmission with the correct amount of fluid as listed in the table below.

(b) Reinstall the refill plug to avoid fluid splash.

HINT:

• If you cannot add the listed amount of fluid, do the following:
• Install the refill plug.
• Allow the engine to idle with the air conditioning OFF.
• Move the shift lever through entire gear range to circulate fluid.
• Wait for 30 seconds with the engine idling.
• Stop the engine.
• Remove the refill plug and add fluid.
• Reinstall the refill plug.

4. FLUID CIRCULATION

(a) Allow the engine to idle with the air conditioning OFF.
(b) Move the shift lever through entire gear range to circulate fluid.

5. FLUID TEMPERATURE CHECK

NOTICE:
The fluid temperature should be less than 30°C (86°F) before beginning the fluid temperature
check.

REPAIR FILL AMOUNT

• Transmission pan and drain plug removal 1.3 L (1.37 US qts, 1.14 Imp qts)
• Transmission valve body removal 3.9 L (4.12 US qts, 3.43 Imp qts)
• Torque converter removal 5.3 L (5.60 US qts, 4.66 Imp qts)
• Entire transmission assembly 5.3 L (5.60 US qts, 4.66 Imp qts)

(a) With intelligent tester

1. Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
2. Select the tester menus: OBD/MOBD, ENGINE, DATA
3. LIST and A/T.
4. Check A/T OIL TEMP.
5. Allow the engine to idle until the fluid temperature reaches 46°C (115°F).

(b) Without intelligent tester (Using A/T OIL TEMP indicator)

1. Connect terminals between CG (4) and TC (13) of the DLC3 using SST (09843-18040).
2. SST: 09843-18040
3. Move the shift lever back and forth between N and D every 1.5 seconds for six seconds.
4. The D shift indicator on the combination meter comes on for two seconds. This indicates that
5. the fluid temperature check mode has been started.
6. The D shift indicator will come on again when the fluid temperature reaches 46°C (115°F) and
7. will blink when it exceeds 56°C (130°F).
8. Allow the engine to idle until the fluid temperature reaches 46°C (115°F).

6. FLUID LEVEL CHECK

NOTICE:

The fluid temperature must be between 46°C (115°F) and 56°C (130°F) to accurately check the fluid level.

(a) Remove the overflow plug with the engine idling.

(b) Check that the fluid comes out of the overflow tube.

• If fluid does not come out, proceed to step 7.
• If fluid comes out, wait until the overflow slows to a trickle and proceed to step 8.

7. TRANSMISSION REFILL

1. Install the overflow plug.
2. Stop the engine.
3. Remove the refill plug.
4. Add 0.4 liters (0.42 US qts, 0.35 Imp qts) of fluid.
5. Allow the engine to idle and wait for 10 seconds.
6. Proceed to step 6.

8. COMPLETE

(a) Install the overflow plug with a new gasket.
(a) Remove the overflow plug with the engine idling.
A750F AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID: ADJUSTMEN...
(b) Stop the engine.
(c) Install the refill plug with a new gasket.

• Torque: 20 N·m (250 kgf·cm, 15 ft·lbf)
• Torque: 39 N·m (400 kgf·cm, 29 ft·lbf)

Attached Images

A750E FLUID ADJUSTMENT.pdf (56.5 KB, 57 views)

Thanks for the information. My 2004 4 sped transmission is a little different. It does not use the Toyota Genuine ATF WS. Mine uses ATF Type IV. It also has a dip stick and I don’t think it has the fill plug and over flow plug.

I think I figured out my plan of attack. Thanks!

Yep. In other words, it is so much easier on the older "obsolete" trans!

No special fluid. No messing around with pumps under the truck to put the new stuff in.

I thought 2004 had same engine/tranny has all other 4th gen 4Runners?

2003 and 2004 V6s had a 4 speed non-sealed transmission, i.e. it has a dipstick.

2003 V8s had a 5 speed non-sealed transmission, , i.e. it has a dipstick, that being said, it's basically the same transmission as later 5 speeds but has a different pan, a dipstick and uses different ATF.

2004 V8s has the 5 speed sealed transmission.

2005 and onwards V8s and V6s all have the 5 speed sealed transmission.

Thankfully I have a '03 with a dipstick but my process would still be same even w/o a dipstick. i drain/refill at each oil change on all of my vehicles. Roughly one gallon or less comes out so that's what I put back in through the dipstick. I'm at 427xxx miles and so far so good. I also tow with this vehicle quite a bit so i'm on top of this drain/refill oil change.

For the folks who don't have a dipstick, I suggest using one of these pressure tank from amazon to make this PITA job much easier.

Even though I have a dipstick on all of my vehicles, I use a Harbor Freight cheap weed sprayer to fill my trannys through the dipstick. It's much easier than to slowly feed ATF through the dipstick! The weed sprayer is partially see through and it has tick marks so I know exactly how much ATF i need for my process.

Mine is the right hand drive version. For whatever reason, it is a 2008 with a 4 speed and 2 wheel drive.

Better than no 4Runner at all, which is the position I was in before!

The ATF change really is easier than the A750F though. I have done both myself.

If you have over 100K miles and have never performed a drain and fill I highly suggest watching this video from the Car Car Nut.

Never Do THIS To Your Toyota and Lexus Transmission | Do's and Don'ts For Transmission Fluid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Of_KG-gW3NtQLsb_&v=jJr30r6RRgw&feature=youtu.be