Whats up everybody! New here. So I have a few questions about the 4 speed tranny on my 2004 runner with the v6. First: Do these transmissions have filters in them or just screens? Guy at the shop said screens only but why is there a filter kit that you can buy online? You guys that have changed/flushed your tranny fluid, did you buy a filter and did you buy a new gasket or make one?
The other thing I was wondering about is last year I was towing my trailer with a couple snowmobiles on the freeway, about 70 mph, shifting alot, and noticed that the back window was covered in crap, got out to look and it was tranny fluid, it was everywhere, all over the sleds too and all over the bottom of the runner. Took it to the dealer and they said it got hot and vented out...Had to been a half a quart or so...the same thing happened again last week, lost alot of fluid but when I check the level it is right where it should be. Was it overfilled at some point? I'm sure i've lost at least 2 quarts but it only happens when I tow the sleds, i've never had a light come on on the dash either and the tranny performs flawlessly. Anyone seen this happen? Should I be worried?

If it were me I would be worried, although I don't know why, as I am no expert, but I don't think a tranny should be venting and spewing fluid. If it overheated the dash light should have come on. I think it is total BS that the dealer blew you off. Something is wrong, even if it is minor, they should be able to figure it out.

I wouldnt be worried - if it was serviced before that incident it could have been overfilled. It could have heated up and came out the breather hole.

Search : "driving down"

There was a similar thread not too long ago and his 4spd was simply overfilled.

Its not uncommon either.

for the noooo.....ew member

Tranny issue: So I am driving up the 25...

I haven't worried too much about it because i've never noticed any change in shifting performance but good hell it makes mess when it does that, takes along time to get cleaned up. It's still covered under warranty, I was thinking about taking back tomorrow to have them see the mess before I clean it up.

If you're gonna tow alot you might want to think about an additional transmission cooler? If it wasn't overfilled and was hot from towing, that should help. The V8 has an additional cooler & several on here with V6s have added one. Good luck!

Look at the link in my sig for transmission coolers, that'd probably be a good idea. Also drive in 3rd to prevent constant shifting. If you use 4th make sure it stays in 4th with the converter locked. The engine is fine churning along at a steady 2800rpm +/-.

Yeah I read the posts on the oil coolers, i'm looking at them right now, looks like a must have. When I pull the sleds in 3rd I get roughly 9.5 MPG!!! Ouch. It cost just over $120 this weekend to drive 400 miles. I can watch the gas gauge move towards empty. Anyways, winter is the only time I tow so i'm debating what to do. If I drop my pan to change the fluis is it best to buy a corked gasket or use gasket maker?

How heavy is the trailer you pull? You'd think the 4Runner could handle the 5000 pounds it is rated to without overheating. Obvious the aux cooler is a good idea, I'm just saying, stock should be at least adequate.

I don't like anything that resembles cork. I, on trans pans, have always had great luck with gasket maker. You seen this thread? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/mainte...tml#post393776

The trailer I pull is just a two place snowmobile trailer with usually one sled on it, it maybe weighs total 1500 pounds. I took it to the dealer today and they looked and it and said it was prob. just overfilled, thats what I expected them to say but oh well. Sounds like gasket maker is the way to go then...and yeah I did read that thread, its a good one. Thanks all.

That's why I traded in my last T4R--was not comfortable with towing and the 4-speed tranny, mine shifted all the time on the freeway as well. I elected for the V-8 but I'm pretty sure the 5-speed tranny in the newer V-6 would have been adequate.